Alumni Outcomes
Study Sociology. Do Anything.
What can I do with a Sociology major?
Our recent graduates have gotten great jobs in technology, consulting, and government, while many also pursue graduate school in the humanities or sciences. A significant percentage also pursue full-time service work for a year or more, seeking to make a difference in the world by helping others.
Skills you'll learn
- Understand social and cultural context
- Strong writing
- Effective oral communication
- Ability to analyze a variety of social issues and problems
- Critical thinking and analytical reasoning
- Construct and evaluate evidence-based policy
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Research and Data Analysis

Ray’Von Jones '16
High School Social Studies Teacher - Envision Academy of Arts and Science
Ray’Von Jones majored in sociology and Spanish before attending Stanford University to study education. “Education doesn’t only happen inside schools,” Jones said. “It happens in communities and in neighborhoods. So it’s important for me to have a larger understanding of what’s going on in our country in terms of racial climate, what different communities look like, and how they interact. In sociology, you get to learn about the different ways education is shaped and experienced by different populations in our society. I am hoping that with my degree, I can enact change in education.”
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Ray’Von Jones '16
High School Social Studies Teacher - Envision Academy of Arts and Science
Ray’Von Jones majored in sociology and Spanish before attending Stanford University to study education. “Education doesn’t only happen inside schools,” Jones said. “It happens in communities and in neighborhoods. So it’s important for me to have a larger understanding of what’s going on in our country in terms of racial climate, what different communities look like, and how they interact. In sociology, you get to learn about the different ways education is shaped and experienced by different populations in our society. I am hoping that with my degree, I can enact change in education.”
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Nick Schneeman '80
Executive Director and Geriatric Physician - Geriatric Services of Minnesota
Dr. Nick Schneeman, a sociology major who received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, takes on only the most complicated cases. His average patient is 85 years old and has multiple health issues like dementia, an absent family, or absolutely no financial resources. “Everything I’ve done in my vocation has been built on the pillars of my Notre Dame education. It’s a remarkable community and dualistic message. You can be a liberal arts guy and go to medical school. You can take care of the frail elderly the right way and turn a profit. You can have it both ways—and not only can you, but that’s what you’re expected to do.”
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Pete Freeman '18
President, Youth Health Ghana
"Sociology gives you an incredible background and a multitude of lenses to look through. What motivates humans, how different institutions impact the way society runs, group dynamics, or social movements, or social networks. You bring multiple different theoretical frameworks to bear on social problems. Sociology has really allowed me to not only ask good focused questions about social problems but then when I get an answer, to be able to dissect that answer in a way that allows some kind of positive response," said Pete Freeman, who majored in sociology, gender studies, and peace studies.
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Kiki Manzur '17
J.D. candidate - Yale Law School
“There are several important skills I learned while majoring in Sociology that have helped me become a better law student. I learned how to read quickly and critically, write well, and think through issues thoroughly and come up with creative but realistic solutions. “I use what I learned in my Sociology major every day. While studying at law school, interning at a corporate law firm, or simply interacting with others, I have found that Sociology helps me better understand how institutions operate and how to navigate different situations,” said Kiki Manzur, who majored in sociology and the Program of Liberal Studies.
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Sarah Hart '15
Project Manager - Epic
“Sociology gives you a way to look at a situation, and rather than taking something at face value, you look below the surface and try to find the not-so-obvious reasons and not-so-obvious solutions," says Sarah Hart, a sociology major. “In the corporate setting, sociology has definitely given me a wide range of skills that can be applied to almost anything. Critical thinking, delving deep into a problem and finding a solution, interacting with people, communicating your thoughts and ideas—those are transferable skills you can use in absolutely any workplace.”
97% of recent Notre Dame Sociology majors found full-time employment, enrolled in graduate school, entered service programs, joined the military, or launched independent projects within six months of graduation.
Note: Outcomes data comes from First Destination reports, a survey of recent graduates conducted by the Notre Dame Center for Career Development and Office of Strategic Planning and Institutional Research. Status is known for more than 90% of each graduating class.
Independent projects include activities such as writing a novel, making a film or fine arts project, traveling the world, caring for a family member, etc.