At Springfield College, majors learn not only about how the world works, but also how to actively contribute to make the world a better place. The sociology program offers a variety of educational experiences, including classroom-based instruction, service learning, and internships.
Upon graduation, Sociology majors become valuable and valued professionals and citizens in workplaces and communities because they have the skills, knowledge, and understanding to be effective team members in today’s changing workplaces, communities, and world. Sociology majors are also prepared for graduate school in fields such as law, social work, sociology, and public policy.
Students studying sociology at Springfield College may choose a concentration in social work or community and leadership development. Minors and double majors in related fields are encouraged.
Careers and Internships
Careers
Students majoring in sociology acquire knowledge and skills that lead to a wide variety of careers that contribute to human lives. For example, sociology majors are prepared for graduate school and for careers in law, politics, social justice, community development, social work, and human service organizations. Sociology majors can make a contribution to any organization that needs people who can identify and analyze problems and thus contribute to their resolution.
Internship Opportunities
Organizations that address social problems such as the following.
- Homeless shelters and housing first programs
- Emergency food pantries and meals programs
- Tenant rights and low-income home ownership programs
- Departments of children and families
- Social and youth services
- Organizations that assist youth who are having trouble in school
- Unions
- Criminal justice (e.g., district attorneys, probation offices, police departments, human and legal rights)
- Health organizations (e.g., AIDS Foundation of Western Massachusetts, hospice)
Other service organizations such as the following.
- Community centers
- Family services
- Child-care services
- After-school youth programs
- Organizations that serve immigrants
- School counseling programs
- Legal services
- YMCAs, YWCAs, and JCCs
Political organizations such as the following.
- Legislative offices
- Political campaigns
- Advocacy organizations (e.g., environmentalist groups)
- Social justice organizations
- Anti-poverty organizations
- Gender-equity organizations
- Organizations whose goal is to improve the lives of gay/lesbian/bisexual people
- Organizations whose goal is to improve the lives of Latinx-Americans, African-Americans, and other people of color
Schools and other education-focused organizations, such as the following.
- Schools and educational advocacy organization (teachers’ unions, support service organizations) working with teachers, counselors, social workers, and administrators
Sociology students have taken on internships in a variety of locations where they’ve explored their interests and gotten a feel for the types of work they may be doing after graduating.
