Majors in our department provide a strong foundation in critical thinking and analytical skills that apply to many academic and professional fields. Our graduates have found careers in fields such as:
- Government and public employment
- Research and consulting
- Community and social services
- Labor relations
- Human resource management
- Cultural resource management
- Public health
Careers with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology
Sociology is the study of the development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior of organized groups of human beings. As such, a sociology background prepares students for a wide range of careers. Students who complete a BA in Sociology are well-prepared for careers in the areas of Diversity and Social Interaction, Health and Populations, Organizations and Institutions, and Social Action and Social Policy.
Cultural Differences and Social Interaction
Students who are interested in working with diverse groups, perhaps on a more “hands-on” basis, may want to consider the following careers.
Human resource managers and directors are responsible for a range of organizational operations that involve that organization’s employees, such as recruiting and retaining talent, training, coaching, policy development, team building, and so forth.
Skills obtained for these careers include:
- knowledge of diverse groups
- how social policies impact outcomes for diverse groups
- writing and communication skills
- ability to use scientific data to make decisions
This encompasses a broad range of job titles. Graduates employed in such careers include case workers for abused and neglected children, directors of assistance programs such as Meals on Wheels, Medicaid eligibility coordinators, advocates for victims of domestic violence, and so forth.
Skills obtained for these careers include:
- knowledge of diverse groups
- how social policies impact outcomes for diverse groups
- writing and communication skills
- experience working on applied projects in diverse settings
Customers are social groups, and they are influenced by gender, race, social class, and other categories that sociologists study. Graduates employed in such careers gather and analyze data on consumers and competitors and research market conditions. They help organizations understand who will buy what products and what price they might pay. Sociology alumni in similar careers are responsible for the design and execution of marketing plans, administration of capital campaigns, and writing commercial copy for media.
Skills obtained for these careers include:
- ability to understand and use statistics
- problem-solving skills
- writing and communication skills
- ability to conduct research and interpret data
Health & Populations
Students who are who are interested in health may want to consider the following careers.
Success in case management jobs and consulting requires a deep understanding of the social factors that contribute to illness. Case managers and consultants may monitor clients, coordinate access to community services, and aid in planning and policy by using data collection and analysis skills to develop solutions.
Skills obtained for these careers include:
- ability to analyze and interpret data
- ability to understand and celebrate diversity
- writing and communication skills
- ability to use scientific data to make decisions
Health researchers with a sociology background seek to understand the social determinants of health and illness, and may use that knowledge to help craft solutions to health problems.
Skills obtained for these careers include:
- ability to analyze and interpret data
- problem-solving skills
- written and communication skills
- ability to use scientific data to make decisions
Sociology graduates who specialize in this area have the opportunity to explore a broad range of career options, including database management, community health program coordination, intervention specialist, and many more.
Skills obtained for these careers include:
- ability to situate issues within a larger macro perspective
- ability to make hard decisions and think critically
- written and communication skills
- ability to use scientific data to make decisions
Organizations & Institutions
Students who are who are interested in organizational design, implementation, and evaluation may want to consider the following careers.
Labor relation positions are sometimes characterized as specialized human resource jobs. Those who take such positions generally focus on the relationship between management and labor unions, and work to ensure that contract conditions are met. They may assist with the bargaining process, address grievances, and coordinate with other human resource professionals within the organization. Knowledge of law and the economy are important.
Skills obtained for these careers include:
- knowledge of diverse groups
- problem-solving and analytical skills
- written and communication skills
- ability to use scientific data to make decisions
Organizational researchers collect and analyze data with the goal of improving the way an organization (often a business) works. They may suggest measures that result in gains in productivity and streamlining.
Skills obtained for these careers include:
- ability to conduct research and interpret data
- problem-solving and analytical skills
- written and communication skills
- ability to use scientific data to make decisions
Social Action & Social Policy
Students who are who are passionate about particular causes and want to work towards policy changes may want to consider the following careers.
These careers often involve the coordination and administration of resources to those in need. Sociologists in such careers draw on their knowledge of the social problems that they are addressing, as well as their understanding of diverse groups and analytical skills, to distribute such resources effectively.
Skills obtained for these careers include:
- knowledge about diverse groups
- knowledge about how social policies impact diverse groups
- written and communication skills
- ability to use scientific data to make decisions
Sociologists working in the public sector hold a wide range of jobs and undertake a broad array of tasks, including education, research, communications, case management, and other tasks.
Skills obtained for these careers include:
- knowledge about diverse groups
- ability to situate issues within a larger macro perspective
- written and communication skills
- ability to use scientific data to make decisions
Policy researchers collect and analyze data to tell whether policies are effective, and may suggest how such policies may be made more effective based on the available evidence.
Skills obtained for these careers include:
- ability to conduct research and interpret data
- problem-solving and analytical skills
- written and communication skills
- ability to use scientific data to make decisions
Graduate School
Preparation for Graduate School
Earning a BA in Sociology also prepares students to continue their education in graduate school and earn a MA or PhD in Sociology. Possible careers with a MA or PhD include:
Sociologists enter the corporate, nonprofit, and government worlds as directors of research, policy analysts, consultants, human resource managers, and program managers, community developers, demographers, and criminologists.
Sociologists become high school teachers or faculty in colleges and universities, who advise students, conduct and publish research. More than 3,000 colleges offer sociology courses.
Some sociologists with either a master of arts or doctoral degree or both get specialized training to become counselors, therapists, or program directors in social service agencies.
Careers with a Bachelor of Arts or Science (BA/BS) in Anthropology
Studying anthropology sharpens your critical-thinking skills and broadens your background, making you more flexible to fit into a variety of employment opportunities. You’ll also sharpen your communication and analysis skills to develop a sophisticated approach when assessing personal and career situations.
Common Careers
Career opportunities for anthropology graduates include:
- archives and records services
- bilingual education
- communications
- cultural brokerage
- cultural/heritage agencies
- documentary filmmaking
- environmental impact assessment
- federal public service
- forensics
- fundraising
- genetics counseling
- historical archaeology
- historic preservation
- information research
- international business
- international development
- journalism
- law enforcement agencies
- legal services
- legislative service
- libraries
- management
- marketing
- museums
- park ranger work
- personnel
- public affairs
- public relations
- publishing
- scientific and creative writing
- teaching
- translating and interpreting
- travel work
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Job Outlook
Job Outlook for Anthropologists and Archaeologists
Traditionally, professional anthropologists have taught and conducted research at colleges and universities or worked as curators in museums. Over the past two decades, however, more anthropologists have started working in applied fields such as environmental assessment, planning and development, organizational consulting, medical research, and contract archaeology. Most non-teaching jobs in anthropology are found in the areas of archaeology, applied anthropology, and environmental studies.
Employment in 2016
7,600
Projected Employment in 2026
7,900
Growth
4%
Thinking about Studying Anthropology or Sociology?
If any of these professions interests you, the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at Ball State can get you started. You can major in anthropology, sociology, or teaching social studies. Or consider an anthropology, sociology, or ancient studies minor to complement a major in another field. If you’re considering graduate study, our master of arts in sociology will help you take your career to the next level or prepare you for doctoral study.
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