When Dunja Horvat enrolled in Sociology, she did not have a clear answer to the question of what she would do after graduation. At the time, she did not really need one. What she had was curiosity, an interest in people, and a desire to understand the world around her. That proved to be more than enough as a starting point. Today, she no longer sees the question “What are you going to do with that degree?” as an expression of doubt, but rather as a reminder of just how powerful, flexible, and applicable sociology can be.

Studying sociology taught her to understand people, relationships, power, and the dynamics of teams and organisations. She developed the ability to listen beyond what is explicitly said, recognise patterns of behaviour, and understand why people act the way they do. These skills became the foundation of her professional career.

She began her career working with people, initially through education, training, and coaching. She established her own business and worked with individuals and teams on developing communication, emotional intelligence, resilience, and leadership skills across a range of industries and organisational contexts.

Over time, she realised that, in addition to individuals, she was becoming increasingly interested in the systems in which they operate. She began to see organisations as living systems in which understanding people—not just processes—is essential. This perspective ultimately led her to the field of human resources.

“Today, I work in human resources (HR) in a dynamic and international environment. I am involved in all stages of HR processes—from administrative and legal frameworks, recruitment and onboarding, to employee development, training, organisational culture, and employer branding. I also actively participate in initiatives aimed at strengthening employee engagement and improving HR practices,” Dunja explains.

The knowledge and perspectives she gained through studying sociology have proved essential in her professional work: communicating with different types of people, connecting business objectives with human needs, and identifying areas where organisational systems are not functioning effectively and require change. Sociology taught her to see the bigger picture and to understand that behind every behaviour there is a context, behind every conflict there is a relationship, and behind every organisation—there are people.

Her career developed gradually through different roles and experiences, combining knowledge, practice, continuous learning, mistakes, and a willingness to try new things. Today, she emphasises that sociologists are not limited to a single professional role—they can become HR professionals, organisational development specialists, consultants, analysts, communication professionals, and leaders of change.

“If you are studying sociology and wondering, ‘Is there a career for me in this field?’—the answer is yes. There may not be a ready-made position waiting for you, but there is space for you to build one yourself,” Dunja says.

Dunja Horvat concludes: “Sociology provides more than knowledge—it offers a way of seeing the world. It is an invitation to understand people—and that is a skill that will never lose its value.”