Mapping your Sociology Major

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Year Four

SOC 101 meets the Social and Behavioral Sciences Core Curriculum requirement.

SOC 261 meets the Quantitative Reasoning Core Curriculum requirement.

The sociology major requires a minimum of 30 credits in sociology. SOC 101, SOC 259, SOC 260, SOC 261, SOC 263 and SOC 482 require a grade of C- or above to fulfill the prerequisites for higher level courses and to continue in the major. Students often pair with one of the following minors: African-American Studies, Business Administration, Criminology and Delinquency, Global Studies, Nonprofit and Civic Engagement Studies, Psychology, Public Relations, Social Work, Studies in Women and Gender, and/or a certificate in one of the global languages. Individuals interested in the SOC BA/MBA Dual Degree should contact Nick Masucci, Assistant Director of Graduate Admission and 4PLUS Grad School Liaison.

Learning, Self-Exploration, and Academic Excellence

The Hood College Center for Career Development and Experiential Education is here to support you through your four-year educational journey. Whether you are headed toward additional educational pursuits after graduation or on to the exciting world of work, we recommend that you investigate all your opportunities through three distinct types of exploration. These include Cultivating knowledge of your major and occupations related to your studies, Engaging in activities that give you hands-on experience, and taking practical steps toward Preparing for life after college. Below are three tables that will help you understand these areas and associated activities. Want to know more? Meet with a counselor in the Career Center. Email careers@hood.edu to make an appointment.

Cultivate

Explore your Major and Related Occupations

Year 1

• Explore careers in sociology through the Hood College sociology website. Explore the backgrounds of faculty and learn about course offerings.
• Visit the What Can I Do With the Major? and the CareerOneStop websites.
• Take the O*NET Interest Profiler to learn more about additional areas of career interest.
• Meet with Career Center staff to begin developing a resume and CV.

Year 2

• Visit with a counselor in the Career Center to update your resume and CV.
• Explore club and engagement opportunities related to Sociology.

Year 3

• Update your resume and CV to include classes from the previous year and any experiences that are relevant, including employment or those related to sociology.
• If you’re planning to apply to graduate school in your senior year, meet with the Career Center and your faculty advisor to review your CV in the spring semester and to learn about exams you may need to take to apply.

Year 4

• Update your resume and CV to include classes from the previous year and any experiences that are relevant, including employment or those related to sociology. Be sure to include your research skills.
• If you’re planning to apply to graduate school, meet with the Career Center and your faculty advisor to review your CV early in the fall semester.
• If you haven't already, engage in your internship; enroll in SOC 399 to gain work experience and college credit after gaining approval from a faculty member in the Sociology Department.

Engage

Locally and Globally

Year 1

• Explore club and engagement opportunities related to Sociology.

Year 2

• With a Career Center counselor in the spring, explore and consider locations for a sociology internship for your third year.
• Participate in Career Center workshops on interviewing for success.
• Work with a Career Center counselor to identify alumni working in mental health. Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni pursuing mental health careers.
• Shadow professionals or alumni who work in the field.

Year 3

• If you’re planning to apply to graduate school in your senior year, meet with the Career Center and your faculty advisor to review your CV in the spring semester and to learn about exams you may need to take to apply.
• Attend Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and how to conduct a job search.
• Work with a Career Center counselor to identify alumni working in mental health. Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni pursuing mental health careers.

Year 4

• Consider who will be able to write you great letters of recommendation for graduate school or recommend you to a future employer. Talk to those individuals to verify that they’re willing to offer their recommendation.
• Work with a Career Center counselor to identify alumni working in mental health. Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni pursuing mental health careers.

Prepare

For Post-Graduation Success

Year 1

• Attend the Fall and Spring Community Engagement Fairs to learn about not-for-profit agencies that you could volunteer with to gain experience in the field and explore your interests.
• If you’re interested in going to graduate school, volunteer in a faculty member’s lab to gain research experience.
• Consider what you’ll do in the summer. Could you engage in an opportunity to move your future career forward?

Year 2

• Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers in the mental health field who may need interns.
• Regularly check the Handshake events page to see employers providing information sessions on campus.
• If you’re interested in going to graduate school, volunteer in a faculty member’s lab to gain research experience.
• If considering part-time employment, work with the Career Center and consult faculty to learn about opportunities within the field.

Year 3

• Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair and/or STEM Career Expo to meet directly with employers.
• Select part-time jobs and internships in your field of interest.
• If you’re interested in going to graduate school, volunteer in a faculty member’s lab to gain research experience.
• Attend conferences of professional associations. Consider presenting your research at a conference with the help of a faculty member.

Year 4

• Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair and/or STEM Career Expo to meet directly with employers in the mental health field who may be recruiting psychology new hires.
• If you’re interested in going to graduate school, volunteer in a faculty member’s lab to gain research experience.
• Attend conferences of professional associations. Consider presenting your research at a conference with the help of a faculty member.

• Utilize resources at the Library and Learning Commons
• Meet regularly with your academic advisor
• Work with tutors at the Writing Center
• Complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships

Learn more about careers in sociology: whatcanidowiththismajor.com

• Higher education research, teaching
• Education, K-12
• Research
• Advocacy, organizing
• Social statistics
• Program analysis
• Demography
• Public administration
• Policy analysis
• Program development
• Urban/City planning
• Federal Government:
  • There are over 170 federal departments and
    agencies. See gogovernment.org
• State and local governments
• Social science research firms
• Federal government:
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • Bureau of Justice Statistics
  • Bureau of Economic Analysis
  • Bureau of Transportation Statistics
  • National Center for Health Statistics
  • National Center for Education Statistics
  • U.S. Census Bureau
  • U.S. Agency for International Development
  • Center for Disease Control

Explore more career opportunities in sociology: onetonline.org