Wendy Kettler '92
Hanging in the Kirkhof Center, playing pool and talking with friends between class and studying abroad at Kingston, UK.
Sociology Career Guide
Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths
Sociology Academic Resources
Explore Sociology academic resources designed to support your academic goals!
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Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.
Sociology Career Resources
Unlock career potential in Sociology! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.
Menu of Experiences
Sample Sociology Internship Sites:
Internships provide a way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.
- Bethany Christian Services
- Hispanic Centre of Western Michigan
- Feeding America West Michigan
- Roosevelt Park Ministries
- City of Grand Rapids
- Kent County
- Children’s Advocacy Cente
- Boys & Girls Club of Grand Rapids
- New City Neighbors
Sociology Internship InformationGeneral Information on Internships
Join A Student Organization
Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!
- The Sociology Club
- Alpha Kappa Delta – International Sociology Honor Society
Develop Skills by Taking Elective Courses and Earning Certificates:
Developing relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider elective courses and certificates that pair with their major to gain additional skills.
- Research
- Academic writing
- Problem-solving
- Analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information
- Interpersonal awareness
- Basic statistical analysis
Community Service Opportunities
Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.
The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.
Sociology Study Abroad
Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.
By studying abroad, sociology students will gain a global outlook. Students will be able to integrate the cultural diversity they experience abroad into their profession by developing international and comparative perspectives on social problems, race, and social relations. From working at a refugee camp community center in Jordan to a malnourished infants clinic in Chile, there’s a program for you!
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.
Fellowship Opportunities
Fellowships are high-impact, potentially life-changing opportunities for students and alumni, opening doors to careers in public service, advanced academic study, foreign service, international teaching, and other career and service pathways into meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Sociology Career Spotlights
Sociology
Diane Knight '79
My favorite GV memory was traveling with the football and basketball teams (as a cheerleader) to play in tournaments.
Marion Maier '71
Tugs-of-war across the library pond
Jamie Munson '13
I have so many great memories from GVSU. If I had to pick one, it'd be my freshman year watching our football team in the playoffs on an ESPN-televised game. It was absolutely freezing out. We won the game and all the students stormed the field afterward.
Where Alumni Have Landed
- Customer Service Representative – Huntington Bank
- Youth Specialist – Kent County Juvenile Detention Center
- Housing Resource Specialist – Community Rebuilders
- Volunteer Coordinator – Greater Chicago Food Depository
- Social Media Coordinator – Crowne Plaza Grand Rapids
- Intake Coordinator – Catholic Charities USA
- Residential Support Staff – MOKA
- Youth Worker – Spectrum Juvenile Services
- Night Auditor – J.W. Marriott
- Head of Unit – Jewish Community Center
- Testing Coordinator – Fair Housing Center of West Michigan
- Teach for America
- City Year
- Case Manager – Hope Network
Attend Events
Career Community- Education, Nonprofit & Public Service
Employer of the Day: Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County
January 21, 2026 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from the Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County! Each semester, we bring top companies...
Employer of the Day: The Fowler Center for Outdoor Learning (MCHS Family of Services)
January 28, 2026 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from the The Fowler Center for Outdoor Learning (MCHS Family of Services)! Each semester,...
JCPenney Suit Up - Winter 2026
February 1, 2026 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
All Grand Valley students and alumni are invited to attend a GVSU/JCPenney Suit-Up Event! This event will include options to participate virtually or in-person. In-person: Come to JCPenney at RiverTown...
Employer of the Day: Michigan State Police
February 4, 2026 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from the Michigan State Police! Each semester, we bring top companies right to you on campus!...
Prepare for the Career Fair (City)
February 9, 2026 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Are you preparing for the upcoming Fall GVSU Career and Internship Fair, but not quite sure where to start? The Career Center will be hosting a drop-in event to help you refine your resume, formulate...
View More Career Community- Education, Nonprofit & Public Service
Consider joining the Education, Nonprofit, and Public Service Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate and Professional Programs
Undergraduate Sociology majors are able to pursue a variety of graduate degrees. Below are a few examples:
- Master of Arts or Science in Sociology
- Master of Social Work
- Master in Counseling
- Master/Ph.D. in Psychology
- Master of Public Policy
- Master of Public Administration
- Law School
- Ph.D. in Sociology
Discover More
Join a Career Community
Watch Videos of Professionals in the Field
Check out our podcast!
Career Center Resources
Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.