Careers by Major - Sociology

 

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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.

Table of Contents 

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 

 

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

1a. Sample Occupations

 
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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

 
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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

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  • 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

 

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2. Program-Related Skills
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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.

 

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3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
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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:

 

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4. Get Experience
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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

 
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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

 
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Internships, Summer, Part Time and Volunteer Positions 

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

 

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5. Useful Resources & Next Steps
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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.

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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