Careers and Outcomes

Do you want to change the world?

You are not alone! Many of us go into the sociology and anthropology fields to become a force for social change. The short list below provides examples of ways to become involved in careers that promote social change. As you look through this list, there are some things you will want to consider when planning for your career:

• Be prepared to do research in your field of interest, and a LOT of it. If your passion is racial inequality, you will need to structure your class schedules to include as many courses in race and ethnicity as you are allowed.

• To get your foot in the door, an internship is a MUST.

• You must be willing to go where the job is: generally a larger city. Since much of social change is done through federal legislation, Washington, D.C. is a likely destination.

Jessica Garcia

7th Grade Reading Teacher

Democracy Prep Endurance Middle School, Teach for America

There are many career opportunities in the healthcare field that are suitable for Sociology and Anthropology graduates.

The positions listed below will require your knowledge and skills of cultural competency and analytical thinking.

Health advocates and healthcare management are popular options for a Sociology major. Each position will be unique to it's organization, so we encourage you to explore the organization to decide which mission you would enjoy being a part of. 

Frank Burkybile

International  Public Health Analyst

HIV/AIDS Bureau, Division of Global Programs, Health Resources and Services Administration

Non-profit organizations offer a wide range of jobs in sociology and anthropology. Working in this field will involve working with culturally diverse individuals to help them achieve their goals.

Please keep the following in mind:

• Jobs in the areas listed above may not require a degree or license in social work; however, the functions of the positions, in many cases, are the same.

• DO look into the Go Lead! series, which provides professional training to people in this employment sector. You may qualify for a scholarship to cover some, or all, of the costs associated with the training, from the sociology and anthropology department!

Volunteering, or interning with an agency that addresses a community need while still in school is one of the best ways to determine whether or not you would like a career in the non-profit sector. For more information about organizations that offer volunteer or internship opportunities in Springfield and its surrounding communities, visit the Internship Opportunities page.

You may want to consider going on to graduate school for Counseling, Social Work, or Public Health.

Amanda Stadler

Coordinator, Continuum of Care

Ozarks Alliance to End Homelessness, Community Partnership of the Ozarks

Your training in sociology and anthropology makes you uniquely qualified to conduct research on human populations! These jobs typically involve developing and/or conducting evaluations of programs, surveys and polls, and analyzing trends in data collections.

Strong verbal and writing skills are a MUST to effectively communicate your research findings in reports, tables and graphs. There are many research jobs out there, and many will require relocation to larger cities like New York, Chicago, or Washington, D.C.

To be competitive for these jobs:

• DO take and do well in methods courses,

• DO take and do well in statistics.

• DO participate in research projects with your professors.

• DO apply for an internship with, and work for a research organization.

Kristin Arnette

Planner II, Economic Analyst

Missouri Economic Research Council and Information Center, Department of Economic Development Services

Your education in Sociology could help you be apart of the front lines in assisting with social reform by pursuing a career in law. Many of the job positions available to you allow you to be in direct contact and control of many public issues. From being a Police Officer in your local community to being involved in international immigration relations, you have the chance to influence and the potential to change the world one interaction at a time.

• Many Police Department careers will offer special duty assignments (K9 unit, special investigations, probation officer) after your first few years of duty. Navigate the department's website for further information and requirements.

• Networking is vital when applying for a career in larger agencies such as the DEA and DHS. Be sure to communicate with your advisor regarding internships and careers.

• Most careers in law and policy DO NOT REQUIRE a degree in Criminal Justice. A degree in Sociology will offer you a unique perspective in any given job listed.

DeVon A. Douglass, J.D. 

Chief Resilience Officer

City of Tulsa, Office of the Mayor