The subject matter of sociology is sweeping, both in scope and in relevance. Covering societies around the world, it ranges from the intimate family to the antagonistic mob; from religion to crime; from the divisive factors of prejudice and discrimination to the unifying metropolitan regions. The study of sociology is inherently intersting because it touches on so many aspects of our lives.
In its effort to understand the fundamental nature of human society,
sociology studies all aspects of the "world of taken-for-granted."
As social issues and problems press in on all sides, urgently demanding
solutions, sociology faces the task of analyzing social needs: Social,
racial, and sexual inequality, to mention only a few. Sociology has a special
obligation to benefit human beings. It offers the opportunity to make a
difference.
One would do better to ask what cannot be done with a degree in sociology. In a sense sociology provides students with a broad informational background, critical thinking skills, research skills, and communication skills sought by the vast majority of employers. Sociology, like other liberal arts majors offers students, not simply a fixed base of current knowledge, but the insight to identify major questions, and the ability to pursue meaningful answers to those questions. In short, sociology students learn how to learn.
More specifically, sociology students obtain myrriad types of jobs with
a BA or BS in Sociology. Still other jobs are available with a degree in
Sociology plus some job training in particular fields. UW-Superior sociology
graduates have held jobs as Program Implementors, Child Care Counselors,
Social Workers, Therapists, Employment Interviewers, Census Enumerators,
Office Coordinators, Group Counselors, Unit Coordinators of group homes,
Counselors for delinquent youths, Consultants, Researchers, Social Services
Case Workers, Child Protection Workers, Managers of retail establishments,
Employment and Training Specialists, Training Coordinators, Police Officers,
Prison Guards, Probation Officers, Activity Directors in nursing homes,
Youth Selter Directors, and Personnel Managers. Undergraduate Sociology
also acts as a logical springboard specialized fields of graduate study.
UW-Superior Sociology graduates have gone on to attend graduate school
in Educational Psychology, Counseling, Psychology, Law, City Planning,
Anthropology, Seminary, and of course Sociology.
Yes! We are constantly striving to improve the internship possibilities
for Sociology majors. These internships are opportunities to get valuable
work experience, to make contacts and friends, and to learn about the application
of sociology to real-life situations. Sociology students have held internships
at the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, with the Superior Chief
of Police, the Superior City Planner, the Superior City Attorney, the Douglas
County Recycling Coordinator, the Duluth Federal Prison Camp, the Superior
Mayor's office, Project Soar in Duluth, the Superior Housing Authority,
Zenith Research, Northwest Passage II, Lutheran Social Services, and others.
Sociology is neither easy, nor an ideal way to pursue a degree in Social Work. In Wisconsin, it is possible to obtain Social Worker Certification with a degree in Sociology. The candidate must also take some courses in social work and psychology plus perform at least 400 hours of supervised internship and pass a certification examination.
Although this is a possible means to becoming certified as a Social
Worker, we do not recommend that students enter the program with this goal
in mind. Sociology offers courses aimed at understanding the complexities
of social life, and prepares students for a wide array of career opportunities
in the area of social welfare, but it is not a skill-oriented program designed
to train people in casework. If becoming a Social Worker is your career
goal, we encourage you to apply to the Social Work Program.
* Surf the rest of our pages.
* Talk to Sociology students.
* Contact a Sociology faculty member and ask questions: Dr.
Michael Ball, Sundquist 314; Dr.
Marshall Johnson, Sundquist 313.