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Graduate Career Ready with Sociology

Put your Sociology degree to work pursuing a career that interests and challenges you. Sociology majors acquire theoretical and analytical skills necessary to understand and evaluate society and social stratification towards positive social change. They understand how to investigate group dynamics, organizations, institutions, social identities, and daily human interactions. Sociology majors learn to research and contextualize information, producing sharp, insightful analyses and evidence-based conclusions.  

Sociology majors show the kind of deep cultural understanding and sensitivity that is required for clear-sighted, problem-solving analyses of our past and present to create a better future. They demonstrate advanced analytical, methodological, and conceptual ability along with quantitative and qualitative analysis and research abilities. Perhaps most important of all, Sociology majors are educated beyond a narrow curriculum geared towards a specific job; instead, they acquire the ability to remain intellectually flexible and to transfer their skills across career opportunities and environments. 

Explore the ways to use your Sociology education during a career conversation with the Center for Career Readiness.

Sociology at Work

UNC Sociology graduates pursue careers in companies and organizations around the country. Among our alumni, you will see many working in these industries:

  • K-12 Education
  • Higher Education
  • Government Administration
  • Nonprofits
  • Hospital and Health Care
  • Individual and Family Services

UNC Alumni Careers

Using their Sociology degree, UNC alumni go on to successful careers in a variety of interesting and in-demand professions. Learn more about the popular professions these and other alumni are pursuing.

Business and Financial

Alumni business and financial professionals account for several unique and interesting occupations that include accountants, financial analysts, human resources specialists, project managers, and marketing specialists.


 

Office and Administrative Support

Alumni working in office and administrative support professions use their transferrable skills to cross over many industries in positions that range from clerical to customer service.


 

Management and Operations

UNC alumni are prepared to serve in leadership and operational management roles within non profit organizations, educational institutions and private and publicly held companies.


 

Explore Alumni Career Connections

On Demand Resources and Support

Access recorded alumni career panels and LinkedIn tutorials to strengthen your network and professional connections to the UNC Bear Network.

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Alumni & Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Angie Henderson and Megan Lundstrom

Megan's Account: Megan Lundstrom ’16, ’20 and UNC Professor of Sociology Angie Henderson appeared in the August issue of Elle magazine. Check out the full article here. 

Dr. Angie Henderson & Megan Lundstrom '16, '20

UNC Alumna, Megan Lundstrom, and UNC Professor of Sociology, Angie Henderson, appeared in the August 2021 issue of Elle magazine in the article, “Megan’s Account: The unlikely story of a cash-strapped single mom and sex trafficking survivor, and the sociology professor who changed her life,” by John H. Tucker. The article chronicles Lundstrom’s journey from sex-trafficking survivor to scholar and founder of The Avery Center, a nonprofit organization that focuses on sex trafficking research and support services.

Lundstrom’s story also appeared in the fall/winter 2016 issue of UNC Magazine. Since then, she’s finished her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and earned her master’s degree in Sociology and founded her non-profit, The Avery Center, which provides services and uncovers new knowledge on sex trafficking. The Avery Center has received $1.6 million in multiyear state and federal grants. 

Sociology Alumni: Update your career information through the alumni association.