Securing employment with a Sociology Undergraduate Degree
International Student Joanna shares her journey to finding employment after graduating with an Undergraduate Sociology Degree from the University of Leeds.
Hello! My name is Joanna Chong. I was born and raised in Hong Kong but moved to Leeds in 2022 to pursue my undergraduate degree in Sociology at the University of Leeds, which I will be graduating from this July. Following my graduation, I will be starting as an Audit Associate at PwC.
My time at university was filled with ups and downs as I tried to navigate the UK job market, a system I was completely unfamiliar with as an international student. In my first year, I didn’t join any clubs or societies, something I later regretted as my schedule became busier. However, I worked as a waitress and cashier at a small restaurant in Kirkgate Market for over a year. Initially, I took the job to ease the financial burden on my family, but it ended up contributing significantly to my personal growth.
At first, I considered leaving the waitressing role off my CV, but I realised how much I’d learned, such as time management, dispute resolution, attention to detail, and especially communication through constant customer interaction. Every role, no matter how small it seems, teaches transferable skills.
Before my second year, I began exploring career paths and discovered the Careers Service at university, which I had overlooked during my first year. Through MyCareer, I landed a role as a student ambassador for Student Circus, a job-search platform focused on visa-sponsored roles for international students. This experience introduced me to the UK job market’s timelines, particularly the shock of learning that applications for internships often open a year in advance.
Eager to secure an internship, I applied to PwC, my dream company, without understanding their assessment process. I failed the online tests miserably because I wasn’t prepared. After that, I researched CV formats, application stages, and the structure of job assessments, which often test cognitive skills, personality, and aptitude in several stages. With many firms limiting applications to once every 6–12 months, being prepared is critical.
In November of second year, after numerous applications and rejections, I landed a summer internship at Isio as an Actuarial and Consulting intern in Leeds. I found the role via MyCareer, and it was exclusive to University of Leeds students. With the internship secured, I had more time to build my CV and pursue personal interests. I joined AIESEC, a youth-led non-profit, and soon became Vice President of Human Resources for the local committee in Leeds. I also worked as a student ambassador for CLIQ, a social app, and appreciated the flexibility of zero-hour contracts, which allowed me to gain diverse experiences without overwhelming my schedule.
Starting my internship at Isio was intimidating because I had no background in actuarial science, unlike my fellow interns. Thankfully, the company ensured everyone began at a beginner level, allowing me to learn on the job and improve steadily. One thing I wish I’d done beforehand was brush up on Excel, which would’ve made the learning curve smoother.
My third year was the busiest yet. Job applications dominated the first few weeks, while I continued with Student Circus and was elected Local Committee President of AIESEC in Leeds. We even succeeded in registering for AIESEC to be an official society at the Leeds University Union.
Despite dissertation pressures, I took on two more roles: Student Ambassador for my faculty (Sociology and Social Policy) and interviewer for The Times Final Year Student Survey. I especially enjoyed the ambassador role, getting to speak with prospective sociology students about their future studies.
Reflecting on my journey, here are a few tips I hope can help others!
Build your LinkedIn and personal brand
Both CLIQ and The Times roles came from LinkedIn outreach. I keep my profile fun and personal, it shows who I am beyond just my skills and experience.
Attend office visits
Company culture varies by office. I visited PwC, Accenture, Deloitte, Lloyds, and Snapchat offices through university and society events. These visits gave me a feel for the work environment and let me network directly with employees.
Stay organised
Set aside a few hours a day for applications. I used a separate email just for job hunting, starring application emails and unstarring rejections, to easily track progress.
Choose companies that align with your values
I’m passionate about environmental and social causes, so I sought companies known for their Corporate Social Responsibility. This meant my interviews felt more natural and employers could see my enthusiasm.
Be patient and trust the process
Waiting months to hear back from companies is normal. Not hearing back immediately doesn’t mean rejection; it just takes time. To go through hundreds of applications. Be patient and persistent.
Accept that failure happens
We often see success stories on LinkedIn, but not the rejections behind them. I’ve had my fair share, but rejection doesn’t define your ability. The right opportunity will come, and one day, a company will be lucky to have you!
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