Anything! The skills we offer in terms of data collection and analysis are useful in a large range of occupations, from medical research to journalism, from administration to marketing. Many of our students choose careers in human and social services or criminal justice. You should know that employers in all of these fields prefer to hire individuals with a degree in sociology.

Individuals trained in the sociological perspective have a greater understanding of the social context in which human behavior and social problems take place. In order to better understand this context, your education at SUNY Poly takes place on and off campus. The sociology program provides students numerous opportunities to work collaboratively with professors on research and writing projects, or to try out career paths through an internship or practicum.

In these ways, students can engage intellectual ideas in a practical setting and make meaningful connections between classroom learning and the real world that makes them more attractive on the job market. Employers appreciate the practical experience our students can bring to the workplace.

Our program is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of students:

• freshmen entering SUNY Poly with an interest in human behavior, applied sociology, human services or criminal justice;
• students holding Associate of Applied Sciences (A.A.S.) or Associate of Arts (A.A.) degrees in a field such as sociology, liberal arts, general studies, social sciences, human services, criminal justice, policing, or industrial relations.

Sociology students at SUNY Poly have ample opportunities to gain practical research experience that will be valuable to them on the job market. At times, an entire course will plan and conduct a research project, often in conjunction with local organizations. Recent examples include: a survey of SUNY Poly students on their satisfaction with campus life; a survey of factors that promote and inhibit economic self-sufficiency of women in the Mohawk Valley (for the Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties).

Students also have opportunities to work with faculty individually under our Independent Study option. Students are encouraged to participate in a research project that will lead to a professional presentation or publication of a paper.

SUNY Poly has a very active Sociology Club. Students plan and participate in social and community service activities. Club events include midnight bowling, outings with children from the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization, Take Back the Night events on campus (including speakers and a rally), fundraising for local charities (including raffles and canned good drives), providing aid to women and children fleeing domestic violence during the holidays, and a Rock the Vote campaign to encourage their fellow students to register for and participate in upcoming elections.