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Career Paths in Sociology

As a structural science, sociology provides the foundations for all other social sciences. Wherever social interaction arises between people, wherever it develops, changes, or needs to be shaped, knowledge is needed about who or what is actually involved: Who lives, works, and acts there, with what income, what education, what cultural background, what (pre)conceptions, for what purposes (their own or others’)? Interests and values, roles, functions and structures, as well as power and domination are central themes.

This results in a number of specific career paths in Sociology:

- Social Research
- Organizational and Corporate Communications
- Education and Human Resources
- Social and Business Consulting
- Social and Public Management
- Organization and Administration
- Development Cooperation

In order to answer these questions, students gain a broad but solid insight into the methods of empirical social research during their bachelor’s studies and, if they wish, can go on to become masters of these methods.

Since they provide the foundations for all social sciences, sociology graduates can be found wherever others find a connection: in journalism, press and public relations, education and human resources, project management, development cooperation, and many other fields. In most cases, they take on tasks in research, evaluation, assessment, and planning. Successful careers in consulting are not uncommon, especially with a master’s degree.

This information is based on information provided by the BERUFENET of the German Federal Employment Agency and surveys conducted with graduates of Marburg University. We would like to thank Edgar Losse from the Marburg branch of the Federal Employment Agency for the suggestions and support.