Careers by Major - Sociology

This program is offered through the Department of Sociology

Each Careers by Major page provides lots of ideas on various career areas, as well as how to gain related skills and experience. Useful resources and job samples are also provided.

1. Sample Occupations and Jobs
1a. Sample Occupations
1b. Sample Job Listings
1c. Sample Areas of Employment
2. Program-Related Skills
3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
4. Get Experience
4a. On-Campus
4b. Off-Campus
5. Useful Resources & Next Steps

1. Sample Occupations and Jobs

Below is a sample of the many types of occupations and jobs pursued by graduates of this program.

1a. Sample Occupations

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Detailed career profiles are available in the Career Centre. Some occupations require further education and experience.

Government

Economic Development Officer
Activist
Border Services Officer
Census Field Officer
Citizenship and Immigration Officer
Foreign Service Officer
Human Rights Officer
Legislative Assistant
Civil Liberties Advocate / Lobbyist
Political Aide
Politician
Public Policy Analyst

Corrections/Law/Courts

Aboriginal Liaison Officer
Bailiff
Bylaw Enforcement Officer
Case Management Officer
Correctional Officer
Court Administrator / Clerk
Court Liaison Worker
Court Reporter
Crime Prevention Specialist
Criminal Lawyer
Family Court Support Worker
Judge
Legal Arbitrator
Paralegal
Penologist
Police Officer
Primary Worker / Kimisinaw
Probation Officer
Social Program Officer
Victim Advocate
Victim Offender Mediator
Victim Services Worker
Youth Court Worker

Teaching/Education

Child Development Worker
Education Policy Analyst
Post-Secondary Education Administrator
Teacher
Professor
School Counsellor
School Resource Officer

Business/Communications

Advertising Account Executive
Communications Specialist
Diversity Coordinator
Fundraiser
Human Resources Specialist
Journalist
Labour Relations Officer
Public Relations Specialist
Project Manager
Real Estate Appraiser
Travel Agent
Union Communication Specialist

Community Affairs

Abuse / Crisis Counsellor
Addictions Counsellor
Adoption Counsellor
Child and Youth Worker
Community Justice Coordinator
Community Worker
Developmental Service Worker
Employment / Career Counsellor
Family Justice Counsellor
Health Care Administrator
Housing Support Worker
Marriage and Family Therapist
Mediator
Public Health Inspector
Recreation Coordinator
Refugee Services Coordinator
Rehabilitation Counsellor
Settlement Worker
Social Worker
Street/Youth Outreach Worker
Urban/Regional Planner
Volunteer Manager
Humanitarian Aid Worker
Medical Sociologist

Research

Demographer
Librarian
Market Research Analyst
Researcher
Social Welfare Research Officer

1b. Sample Job Listings

Below is a sample of delisted positions that have been posted on UofT's Career Learning Network (CLN). To access current listings, login to CLN and click on Jobs.

Youth Settlement Worker, Centre for Information & Community Services
Community Health Partnership Coordinator, Canadian Cancer Society
Market Research Analyst, Medtech Solutions
Peer Leadership Coach, Centre for Student Engagement, UTM
Student Border Services Officer, Canada Border Services Agency
Real Estate Assistant, Metropolitan Commercial Realty Inc.
Autism Support Associate, Kerry’s Place Autism Services
Policy Analyst, Ontario Public Service
Social Worker, Alzheimer Society of Ontario
Positive Space Engagement Assistant, Student Housing & Residence Life, UTM
Index and Reference Officer, Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Report Writer, Flow Consulting
Research Assistant, Department of Sociology, UTM
Court Services Officer, Government of Ontario
Grant Researcher, LetsStopAIDS

1c. Sample Areas of Employment

Prisons and halfway houses
Political parties
Non-profit organizations
Research and policy institutions
Substance abuse treatment centers
Women’s shelters
Immigrant service agencies
Government agencies and courts
Mediation firms
Community centres
Newspaper and magazine companies
Police forces
Public relations agencies
Unions and workers’ compensation boards
Youth shelters
Libraries
Universities, colleges and schools
Hospitals and medical centres
Consulting firms
Legal agencies
Employment service centres
Community development agencies

2. Program-Related Skills

Academic courses in this program provide opportunities to develop the following types of skills. Make a career counselling or an employment strategy appointment to discuss how you can demonstrate these skills to employers.

Communication: develop and write research papers; articulate concepts and ideas; present data using graphs, tables and diagrams; summarize findings; public speaking; actively listen and engage in discussions.
Research and technical: plan and conduct research using appropriate methodologies; collect data ethically; analyze quantitative and qualitative data; use statistical software packages.
Critical thinking and problem-solving: analyze social phenomena and structures; evaluate major sociological concepts, theories and debates; reflect on historical and contemporary social issues; synthesize information; identify problems and develop solutions, including policy, recommendations and change orientation.
Organizational: identify goals; manage time; multitask; work independently and collaboratively with others.

3. Explore Careers & Build Networks

Career Exploration 101

Take our 15 minute online module. Gain access to UTM's career exploration programs:

Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are a great way to connect with professionals in a career area of interest and gain valuable insights about a particular career, company, or industry that would otherwise be difficult to find in books or online. Check out our tip sheet to learn more.

Alumni Profiles

Check out our Alumni Profiles page with submissions from UTM grads to find out how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Events

Attending career panels, networking events, employer info sessions and career fairs is a great way to meet professionals and learn more about careers, companies and industries. Login to CLN and click on Events & Workshops to see what's coming up.

Talk to Professors

Connecting with your professors can be a great way to explore the different paths a major can lead you to, as well as learn about possible opportunities for research, volunteering or becoming a TA. Drop by during their office hours or request an appointment.

Student Organizations

Join a student club or an academic society at UTM to meet like-minded people, explore your interests, and make valuable connections. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website. Some organizations you may consider are:

Sociology & Criminology Society
Sexual Education & Peer Counselling Centre
UTM Students' Union
Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children UTM

LinkedIn

Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with professionals in various fields, explore the career paths of UTM alumni, research employers, apply for specific positions and more. Need help? Come to the Career Centre to book a LinkedIn profile critique.

Professional Associations

There are many benefits of becoming a member of association(s), such as developing a network of contacts, learning about industry trends, accessing industry-related job postings and stating your affiliation on your resume. Some associations related to this major are:

4. Get Experience

Get some experience and exposure to the industry while being a student. This will increase your chances of finding a job after graduation, while helping you decide what area might be most suitable for you.

4a. On-Campus

On-Campus Opportunities Booklet

Check out the On-Campus Opportunities booklet to view a list of some of the ways you can get valuable experience on campus.

Work Study Positions

The work study program provides eligible students with an opportunity to work on campus during the academic year and gain experience. Many departments use this program to hire UTM students during the Fall/Winter and Summer terms.

Research Opportunity Program (ROP)

UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows undergraduate students to gain valuable research experience and earn a course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Courses are held during Summer and Fall/Winter terms.

Part Time and Volunteer Positions

Attend the annual Get Experience Fair
Check out our binder with detailed information on volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
Learn about the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), which can help you find opportunities beyond the classroom and have your skills and experiences captured on an official document

Student Organizations

Joining any student club or academic society at UTM is a great way to gain valuable skills and expand your resume. To view a list of current clubs and societies, Centre for Student Engagement's website.

4b. Off-Campus

Internships, Summer, Part Time and Volunteer Positions

Check out our binders with detailed information on internships and volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
Login to Career Learning Network (CLN) and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to UofT students
Attend the annual Get Hired: Summer and Full-Time Jobs Fair
Consider taking an academic internship course through your department
Check out Government of Ontario - Job Programs for Youth
Review our Internships, Summer Employment Programs and Summer Job Search tip sheets

Full Time Positions

Networking is an essential element of job search today, as most jobs are not advertised. While you should still apply for positions you find online, building relationships with professionals is a proven way to access the 'hidden job market' with some of the most desirable opportunities. Attend the "Learn to Network" workshop to discover proven techniques to effectively introduce yourself and make contacts.
Login to CLN and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to graduating students and recent UofT grads. Note: You must attend the "Now That I'm Graduating, What's Next?" workshop to gain access to these postings.
Attend the annual Get Hired: Summer and Full-Time Jobs Fair
Check out our list of industry-specific job boards

5. Useful Resources & Next Steps

Career Resource Library

The Career Resource Library contains information about a wide range of occupations in all industries, resume and cover letter resources, effective work search methods, graduate/professional school preparation guides and more.

Appointments

Attend a one-on-one appointment with a career counsellor or an employment strategist to discuss what career options might work for you and determine a job search plan.
Meet with an academic or departmental advisor, who can guide you in achieving academic success. Contact the Office of the Registrar or your department for more information.

Career Planning by Year

Visit our Career Planning by Year page for ideas of important career related activities for each year. You can visit us in the Career Centre to find out more about career areas that interest you.

Additional Web Resources

Updated August 2023