Sociology
First Destinations
First Destinations
This graph illustrates the first destinations of recent alumni from the last four graduating classes. Details for each of these categories can be found below.
- 56% Employment
- 20% Graduate School
- 19% Post-Graduate Service
- 3% Fellowships
- 0% Continuing Education
- 3% Other
Top Locations
Top Locations
These are among the top locations of graduates in this major. Whether working, studying, or volunteering, you'll find Grinnellians all over the world.
- Chicago, IL
- Los Angeles, CA
- Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN
- Seattle, WA
- Washington, DC
Employment
Employment
There is no typical path of a Grinnell graduate. As this list illustrates, Grinnellians work across all types of industries working with a rich array of employers.
| Employer | Position |
|---|---|
| Amazon | senior human resources assistant |
| Boys and Girls Club | education specialist |
| CASA of Cook County | development & marketing coordinator |
| Education Advisory Board | research associate |
| Habitat for Humanity | family services coordinator |
| Teach for America | recruitment associate |
| The Lewin Group | senior research analyst |
| The People's Lobby | Chicago Student Action lead organizer |
Sociology
Employment Data
| Employer | Position | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | senior human resources assistant | Riverside, CA |
| Austin Frerick for US Congress | video creator | Des Moines, IA |
| Bank of America | Java developer | Chicago, IL |
| Beloit College | area hall director and beloitade coordinator | Beloit, WI |
| Boys and Girls Club | education specialist | St. Paul, MN |
| Bright Pink | community engagement coordinator | Chicago, IL |
| CASA of Cook County | development & marketing coordinator | Chicago, IL |
| Catholic Charities | senior companion program coordinator | Crest Hill, IL |
| Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute | public policy fellow | Washington, DC |
| Council on International Educational Exchange | auxiliar de conversación | Madrid, Spain |
| Coyote Logistics | sales operations coordinator | Chicago, IL |
| ECONorthwest | administrative and project assistant | Seattle, WA |
| Education Advisory Board | research associate | Washington, DC |
| First Position Dance Studio | dance teacher | Milwaukee, WI |
| Fraser | clinical program assistant | Minneapolis, MN |
| GE Gallery | location manager | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota | career specialist | Minneapolis, MN |
| Habitat for Humanity | family services coordinator | Des Moines, IA |
| HEAPS Magazine | project assistant | Tokyo, Japan |
| Hitachi Consulting | associate | Tokyo, Japan |
| Infuse | office manager | San Francisco, CA |
| Latin American Women's Aid | counsellor | London, UK |
| Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice | administrative assistant | Los Angeles, CA |
| Mears Law Office | legal assistant | Iowa City, IA |
| Morningstar | Morningstar Development Program | Chicago, IL |
| NARAL Pro-Choice Washington | political canvasser | Seattle, WA |
| Optimae | direct support professional | Newton, IA |
| private family | au pair | Madrid, Spain |
| Pullman Bar and Diner | server/ bartender | Iowa City, IA |
| Rathod Mohamedbhai LLC | paralegal | Denver, CO |
| School District 159 | substitute teacher | Matteson, IL |
| self-employed | freelance photographer | Portland, OR |
| Smithsonian Institution | intern | Washington, DC |
| Social Burger | operations manager | Vienna, VA |
| Spanish Ministry of Education | assistant English teacher | Madrid, Spain |
| Teach for America | recruitment associate | Los Angeles, CA |
| Teach for America | teacher | Las Vegas, NV |
| Teach for America | teacher | Los Angeles, CA |
| Teach for America | teacher | South Dakota |
| The Lewin Group | senior research analyst | Falls Church, VA |
| The People's Lobby | Chicago Student Action lead organizer | Chicago, IL |
| Total Quality Logistics | logistical sales representative | Chicago, IL |
| University of Minnesota | clinical research coordinator | Minneapolis, MN |
| University Prep | after school supervisor | Seattle, WA |
Positions Related to Career Goals
Positions Related to Career Goals
This graph illustrates the extent to which our graduates' first job is aligned with their career goals. It's one thing to find a job; it's an entirely different thing to land the job you want!
- 38% Completely
- 50% Moderately
- 8% Slightly
- 4% Not at All
Graduate Schools
Graduate Schools
Grinnell graduates are particularly well prepared for graduate study. You'll find Grinnellians attend the best graduate and professional school programs around the world.
| Institution | Degree | Field of Study |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | MEd | education |
| Northwestern University | PhD | sociology |
| University of California | PhD | sociology |
| University of Minnesota | JD | law |
| Washington University in St. Louis | MSW | social work |
Sociology
Graduate Schools Data
| Institution | Degree | Field of Study | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Performing Arts | MFA | documentary photography | Prague, Czech Repulic |
| Bowling Green State University | MA | American culture studies | Bowling Green, OH |
| Chicago-Kent College of Law | JD | law | Chicago, IL |
| Drake University | JD | law | Des Moines, IA |
| Drexel University | MSFS | forensic science | Philadelphia, PA |
| Johns Hopkins University | MEd | education | Baltimore, MD |
| Mitchell Hamline School of Law | JD | law | St. Paul, MN |
| Northwestern University | PhD | sociology | Evanston, IL |
| University of California | PhD | sociology | Irvine, CA |
| University of Illinois | JD | law | Champaign, IL |
| University of Iowa | MCA | clinical anatomy | Iowa City, IA |
| University of Michigan | JD | law | Ann Arbor, MI |
| University of Minnesota | JD | law | Minneapolis, MN |
| University of Minnesota | MPP | public policy | Minneapolis, MN |
| University of Pennsylvania | MS | education | Philadelphia, PA |
| University of Southern California | PhD | comparative media & culture | Los Angeles, CA |
| Washington University in St. Louis | MSW | social work | St. Louis, MO |
Graduate School Acceptance Info
Of those who applied to and were accepted to at least one program, this chart illustrates the percentage of admitted students who were accepted to either their first or second choice program and institution.
69%
69% of students are accepted to their first or second choice graduate institution and program
Service
Service
Each year, Grinnellians advance causes and serve communities around the world as full-time volunteers.
Organization
- AmeriCorps
- Jane Addams Senior Caucus
- Land of Lincoln Legal Aid
- Ramsey County Community Corrections
- Seattle Audubon
- Shanti Bhavan
Sociology
Service Data
| Organization | Location |
|---|---|
| AmeriCorps | Sioux Falls, SD |
| City Year | Chicago, IL |
| City Year | Los Angeles, CA |
| College Possible | Chicago, IL |
| College Possible | St. Paul, MN |
| Horizons | Savannah, GA |
| Jane Addams Senior Caucus | Chicago, IL |
| Land of Lincoln Legal Aid | Carbondale, IL |
| Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN |
| Playworks | Chicago, IL |
| Ramsey County Community Corrections | St. Paul, MN |
| Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen | Scranton, PA |
| Seattle Audubon | Seattle, WA |
| Shanti Bhavan | Baliganapalli, India |
Fellowships
Fellowships
Grinnell has a rich history of producing recipients of some of the most prestigious post-graduate fellowships and awards.
Organization
- Thomas J. Watson Foundation
Sociology
Fellowships Data
| Organization | Location |
|---|---|
| Grinnell College | Grinnell, IA |
| Thomas J. Watson Foundation | Hungary, India, South Africa |
Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning
Participation in high-impact experiences is a hallmark of a Grinnell education. The following graphs illustrate the percentage of graduates who completed internships, research experiences (both on- and off-campus), service, and/or off-campus study prior to graduating from Grinnell.
Internships
77%
Sociology
Internships Data
| Organization | Field | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 3311 Productions, Inc. | creative/performing arts | Los Angeles, CA |
| ACLU of Nebraska | law/legal services | Lincoln, NE |
| Al Exito | education | Des Moines, IA |
| All Stars Project of Dallas | creative/performing arts | Dallas, TX |
| AmeriCorps | education | Grinnell, IA |
| Anita's Martinez Ballet Folklorico | creative/performing arts | Dallas, TX |
| ArtiCulture | creative/performing arts | Minneapolis, MN |
| ATC Management | business administration/management | London, UK |
| Bedsider | education | Grinnell, IA |
| Belen Educa | education | Santiago, Chile |
| Breakthrough New York | education | New York, NY |
| Center for Constitutional Rights | law/legal services | New York, NY |
| Center for International Policy | government/public policy | Washington, DC |
| Central American Resource Center | education | Washington, DC |
| Chandler Police Department Victims Service Unit | law/legal services | Chandler, AZ |
| Chloe Smith MP, House of Commons | government/public policy | London, UK |
| City of Madison | computing/technology | Madison, WI |
| Coppola Enterprises | sales/marketing | Des Moines, IA |
| Crisis Intervention Services | social services | Ottumwa, IA |
| D4DR Inc. | computing/technology | Tokyo, Japan |
| Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance | healthcare | Chicago, IL |
| Desde Mi Huerto | research/science | Patillas, PR |
| Dr. Laura Ferguson | healthcare | Grinnell, IA |
| Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos SHS | education | Chicago, IL |
| Equal Employment Opportunity Commission | law/legal services | Chicago, IL |
| ExtraHop Networks | sales/marketing | Seattle, WA |
| First Stage Theater Academy | education | Milwaukee, WI |
| Gender Justice | law/legal services | St. Paul, MN |
| Girls Inc | education | Washington, DC |
| Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce | communications | Grinnell, IA |
| Grinnell College | education | Grinnell, IA |
| Grinnell College Office of Development & Alumni Relations | education | Grinnell, IA |
| Grinnell Community Daycare and Preschool | education | Grinnell, IA |
| Grinnell Historical Museum | education | Grinnell, IA |
| Grinnell Regional Medical Center | communications | Grinnell, IA |
| Harlem RBI | education | New York, NY |
| Havas Media Group | sales/marketing | New York, NY |
| Immigrant Allies of Marshalltown | law/legal services | Marshalltown, IA |
| Inside Out Project | creative/performing arts | New York, NY |
| Iowa Center for Economic Success | social services | Des Moines, IA |
| Iowa Senate Democrats Policy Research Staff | government/public policy | Des Moines, IA |
| Kaiser Permanente | communications/media | Portland, OR |
| KIPP New Orleans | education | New Orleans, LA |
| Lambda Legal | law/legal services | Chicago, IL |
| Law Office of Jillian Kong-Sivert | law/legal services | Phoenix, AZ |
| Los Angeles Times | communications | Los Angeles, CA |
| Loyola Law School | law/legal services | Los Angeles, CA |
| Maricopa Medical Examiner's Office | healthcare | Phoenix, AZ |
| Mary's Center | healthcare | Washington, DC |
| Mayflower | social services | Grinnell, IA |
| Mercy Medical Center | healthcare | Des Moines, IA |
| middle school (not specified) | education | Los Angeles, CA |
| Mid-Iowa Community Action | social services | Grinnell, IA |
| MTV | communications | New York, NY |
| multicult.fm weltkulturradio | communications | Berlin, Germany |
| National Coalition for the Homeless | social services | Washington, DC |
| National Council of Jewish Women | social services | Washington, DC |
| National Public Radio | communications | Washington, DC |
| NGO Agenda, Center for Family Support | government/public policy | Belgrade, Serbia |
| Northwest Film Forum | creative/performing arts | Seattle, WA |
| Ping Chong + Company | creative/performing arts | New York, NY |
| Piper Jaffrat | finance | Minneapolis, MN |
| Prairie State Legal Services | law/legal services | Galesburg, IL |
| Prateepsana Ismail Memorial School | education | Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand |
| Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation | education | New Orleans, LA |
| Reality Changers | education | San Diego, CA |
| Red Hen Press | communications | Pasadena, CA |
| RefugeeOne | social services | Chicago, IL |
| Romani National Council | government/public policy | Belgrade, Serbia |
| SAFE Alliance | social services | Charlotte, NC |
| Salt IO | data science/analytics | Royersford, PA |
| Seattle Documentary Association | creative/performing arts | Seattle, WA |
| Shedd Aquarium | education | Chicago, IL |
| Sisters4Sisters | social services | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Street Girls Aid | social services | Achimota, Ghana |
| Teach for America | education | Los Angeles, CA |
| Teamster Union 705 | law/legal services | Chicago, IL |
| The Coca-Cola Company | business administration/management | Tokyo, Japan |
| The Posse Foundation | education | Washington, DC |
| Time Out Tokyo | communications | Tokyo, Japan |
| Unity Point Health | healthcare | Des Moines, IA |
| University of Iowa | research/science | Iowa City, IA |
| Urban Dreams | social services | Des Moines, IA |
| US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants | government/public policy | Des Moines, IA |
| Venice Family Clinic | healthcare | Santa Monica, CA |
| Veteran Affairs Central Iowa Healthcare System | social services | Des Moines, IA |
| Viva Tanzania | education | Arusha, Tanzania |
| Waypoint Services | social services | Cedar Rapids, IA |
| Wisconsin Capitol | government/public policy | Madison, WI |
| Youth Action Youth Build | social services | New York, NY |
Research
46%
Sociology
Research Data
| Organization | Field | Location |
|---|---|---|
| American Bar Foundation | national constitutions | Chicago, IL |
| Grinnell Chamber of Commerce | social & economic sustainability | Grinnell, IA |
| Grinnell College | civic education in India | Bangalore, India |
| Hawaii Permanente Medical Group | cultural awareness in prenatal care | Honolulu, HI |
| University of California | biomedicine | Los Angeles, CA |
| University of California | placential response to environmental pollution | Los Angeles, CA |
| University of Chicago | educational methods' effects on urban children | Chicago, IL |
| University of Freiburg | organic chemistry | Freiburg, Germany |
| University of Illinois | diagnosing learning disabilities | Chicago, IL |
| University of Illinois | psychology | Chicago, IL |
| University of Southern California | effect of community on youth development | Santa Cruz, CA |
Service
65%
Off-Campus Study
65%