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Opportunities in Sociology
Careers in Sociology
Most of my students end up working in the area of immigration and/or statistics. Many of my students have gotten jobs at Statistics Canada, although there are also a few at Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, Heritage Canada, and Employment and Social Development Canada. Municipal and Provincial governments are increasingly playing a role in immigrant recruitment, settlement, and retention. Several of my students have gotten positions within provincial departments tasked with immigrant recruitment. At the municipal level, local capacity varies widely, and I think more opportunities will surface for students to work for municipalities as Immigration Strategy Officers. I don't think any of them would have been hired had they not been good quantitative analysts, an area where we have excellent faculty expertise.
- Michael Haan, Professor of Sociology, Western University
What kind of jobs can I get with a Sociology degree?
The skills and educational background gained in sociology are well-suited for work in the following industries and functions:
| Analytics; | Government; | Justice; | Non-Profit Sector; |
| Communications; | Education; | Market Research; | Public Relations; |
| Community Health; | Human Resources; | Public Policy Analysis; | Research. |
| Data Analyst; | Immigration; | Health Policy Analysis; |
Check out the Opportunities in Sociology report by the Canadian Sociological Association about career opportunities after your degree.
Where can I find help as I prepare to search for Jobs?
Western Student Experience and the Western Employment Resource Center offer assistance to current Undergraduate and Graduate students as they prepare for the workforce through:
| Events and Workshops; | Resume Writing Assistance; |
| Job Fair; | Interview Preparation; |
| Networking Opportunities; | Job Search Strategies; |
| Volunteer and Internship Opportunities; | One-on-One Career Counselling Appointments |
Social Science Career Apprenticeship (SSCA)
Social Science students who are expected to graduate in the spring (June) are eligible to participate in the Social Science Career Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships provide students with the opportunity to start their carrer right after graduation. Students will gain full-time paid work experience in London and be matched with an alumni mentor. Applications are due in February and the apprenticeship begins in May or June. To learn more and apply, visit Social Science Career Apprenticeship.
Western Career Launch and Professional Development Program for New Graduates
The Western Career Launch and Professional Development Program for New Graduates (Career Launch Program) is a pilot project that will create new Western staff positions for new graduates. The positions are for twenty-two months beginning in June 2022 which come with full-time hours and include competitive salaries and benefits. Graduates will be hired into diverse careers across the university and will be assigned projects that will advance Western’s new strategic plan. As new employees, participants will gain skills and experience in their field, enjoy a comprehensive calendar of professional development activities, and build relationships with a network of professional colleagues at Western and within the community. Participants will be partnered with a mentor throughout their two years of employment and receive ongoing professional develpment. To learn more about the available positions, visit Career Launch Program.
Western Undergraduate Summer Research Internship Program (USRI)
The Western Undergraduate Summer Research Internships (USRIs) provide undergraduate students with engaged research experiences under the mentorship of a faculty member and are intended to stimulate undergraduate students’ interest in research through direct exposure and hands-on experiences conducting research. Through participation in this program, students gain valuable and high-impact research, technical and professional skills that will help support academic and career development towards their future professional goals. Faculty mentors benefit from meaningful engagement, assistance towards their research program and can use the opportunity to further a diverse HQP training environment.
Application
Social Science applications will be accepted from two streams: Matched and Unmatched.
Please visit Undergraduate Summer Research Internships (USRI) for application forms and additional information.
Deadline
Application for Summer 2026 deadline is February 28, 2026.
Social Science Co-Op Program
The Social Science Co-Op Program is available to eligible students in the Faculty of Social Science. Internships provide you with an opportunity to take the skills and knowledge you are developing in your degree program and apply it in a workplace environment. They help you explore a career paths, build a professional network, gain interview experience, and get a head start on your career.
The Social Science Internship is offered as a short-term or long-term internship and provide students with credit to be used toward their Western degree. For more information about eligibility, please visit the Social Science Co-Op Program or contact socscintern@uwo.ca
International Internships
Western’s International Learning organizes international interships as another way to gain experience related to your degree and immerse yourself in a different culture and country. They allow you to meet new people and expand your global network as well as improving your professional skills in a new environment. For more information about eligibility and opportunities, please visit International Internships.
Students in Sociology at Western have the opportunity to study in another country. This can be done either through one of Western's Affiliated study abroad programs or by applying directly to a University of your choice.
Western's International Exchange Programs: Western offers students the opportunity to choose from more than 100 different institutions in over 35 countries. Students pay tuition to Western rather than pay international tuition fees. Eligible students must achieve a minimum cumulative average of 70% and generally participate in the exchange program in third or fourth year. A Course Approval Form must be completed 6-8 weeks prior to departure to obtain transfer credit approval. Grades received while on exchange will appear on the student's academic record and "Pass" or "Fail", not a numerical grade. Please visit Exchange to learn more and apply.
Apply Directly to the University of your Choice: Study Abroad opportunities range from a couple weeks up to one year and you can earn credit toward your Western degree. Tuition is paid according to the fees of the host University. Students who have achieved a minimum cumulative average of 70% are eligible to apply. Students must submit a Letter of Permission 6-8 weeks prior to their departure to obtain transfer credit approval. Please visit Study Abroad to learn more and apply.
Careers and Next Steps
My students go on to a wide range of careers and next steps. Many pursue work with NGOs and non-profit organizations addressing issues such as gender equality and sexual violence prevention and advocacy. Others continue their education in professional programs, including law school, teacher’s college, and speech-language pathology.
A significant number of students pursue graduate study in fields such as sociology, criminology, and public affairs, both in Canada and internationally. My students have gone on to graduate programs at leading institutions in Canada and the United Kingdom, including Cambridge University.
Students also gain valuable professional experience while completing their degrees. Several have secured highly competitive internships that serve as important stepping stones for those pursuing legal and academic careers.
- Kaitlynn Mendes, Professor of Sociology, Western University
Careers in Sociology
Social science skills are valued in government, private and NGO sectors. Especially in areas of policy development and analysis, human resources and organizational behaviour, consulting, market research, public relations as well as in professions like education, community and public health, demography, and justice and policing. They offer a wide range of job opportunities.
- Howard Ramos, Professor of Sociology, Western University