~ The Sociology Program at Missouri State ~

VI. Career Opportunities with a Degree in Sociology

Introduction

To the question "What can I do with a sociology degree?" there is a clear answer - "Probably more than you think!" In a recent survey of 759 sociology graduates with the BS degree, it was found that they are holding jobs in over fifteen career areas. Some were in the professions (social service workers, educators, research associates, legal assistants, writers, etc.). Others were in management and administrative jobs in the business sector. A large number were in service occupations including criminal justice, community service, and government planning.

The wide-open possibilities for careers for sociologists occur because almost any career requires the kinds of skills and knowledge developed in studying sociology - the study of people and the society in which they live.

Sociology is the formal study of society and social structure. The study of sociology aids students in understanding human relations and organizational behavior. It helps students understand behavior in families, in communities, and in the many complex organizations which dominate modern industrial societies.

The study of sociology may help students understand why people usually conform, but sometimes deviate and break the rules and laws of society. Students learn the process of scientific problem solving, a skill increasingly in demand in both the private and public sectors. Students learn to identify problems, analyze data, test ideas against the facts, and write reports.

Some sociology graduates go on to graduate school. Some go directly into careers in business. Others enter governmental jobs in the criminal justice system, in programs dealing with the aged, or in dozens of other local or federal programs which attempt to solve the many problems of modern society. Sociology graduates are found in jobs wherever an understanding of human relationships is required. Entrance into the job market can be helped greatly by the wise selection of a minor to supplement the sociology major.

Most people end up in jobs they did not anticipate or for which they did not specifically prepare. In our changing world the most popular jobs and skills of one decade tend to become obsolete in the next. A sociology major helps students develop the broad understandings, skills, and flexibility that will prevent them from becoming obsolete in the job market.

The skills developed and knowledge gained in the sociology major or major are in demand in many sectors of today's crowded job market. In fact, it is less a matter of whether a student can get a job with a sociology degree. Rather, the challenge is in performing well academically learning and using the material which is offered.

According to the U.S. Government, the following is a description of the nature of the work sociologists do, their working conditions, employment fields, training and other qualifications, sociologists' job outlook, and a review of earnings. This information has been quoted directly from the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of Career Planning in Carrington Hall 309.

Nature of the Work

Sociologists study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form. These include families, tribes, communities, and governments, as well as a variety of social, religious, political, business, and other organizations. Sociologists study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members. 

Some sociologists are concerned primarily with the characteristics of social groups and institutions. Others are more interested in the ways individuals are affected by the groups to which they belong.

The numerous areas of specialization available to sociologists reflect the interdisciplinary nature of this field. These include:

Research:
Sociological research, like other kinds of social science research, involves collecting information, assessing its validity, and analyzing the results. Sociologists usually conduct surveys or engage in direct observation to gather data. For example, after providing for controlled conditions, an organizational sociologist might test the effects of different styles of leadership on individuals in a small work group. A medical sociologist might study the incidence of lung cancer in a area contaminated by industrial pollutants.

Sociological researchers also evaluate the efficacy of different kinds of social programs. They might examine and evaluate particular programs of income assistance, job training, or remedial education. Increasingly, sociologists utilize statistical and computer techniques in their research. The results of sociological research aid educators, lawmakers, administrators, and others interested in resolving social problems and formulating public policy.

Sociologists often work closely with community groups and members of other professions including urban and regional planners, psychologists, law enforcement and criminal administration officials, physicians, anthropologists, and social workers.

Administrating:
Some sociologists are primarily administrators. They apply their professional knowledge in areas as diverse as inter-group relations, family counseling, public opinion analysis, law enforcement, education, personnel administration, public relations, regional and community planning, and health services planning. They may, for example, administer social service programs in family and child welfare agencies or develop social policies and programs for government,. community, youth, or religious organizations.

Consulting: A number of sociologists are employed as consultants. Using their expertise and research skills, they advise on such divers problems as halfway houses and foster care for the mentally ill; ways of counseling ex-offenders; and market research for advertisers and manufacturers. Increasingly, sociologists are involved in the evaluation of social and welfare programs.

Working Conditions

The work of sociologists generally includes much reading, research, and report writing. Sociologists working in government agencies and private firms have structured work schedules, and many experience the pressures of deadlines, tight schedules, heavy workloads, and overtime.

Their routine may be interrupted by numerous telephone calls, letters requests for information and meetings. Travel may be required to collect data for research projects or to attend professional conferences. Sociologists in private practice may work evenings and weekends to accommodate clients.

Sociology faculty have more flexible work schedules, dividing their time between teaching, research, consulting, and administrative responsibilities.

Employment

Sociologists held several thousand government jobs in 1990s. Government agencies employ a significant proportion of sociologists to deal with such issues as poverty, crime, public assistance, population policy, social rehabilitation, community development, mental health, racial and ethnic relations, and environmental impact studies.

Sociologists in the Federal Government work primarily for the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, Health and Human Services, and Defense. Sociologists specializing in demography work for international organizations such as the World Bank, the United Nations, and World Health Organization and Federal agencies such as the Bureau of the Census.

Sociologists specializing in criminal justice work primarily for law enforcement agencies in State and local government. Sociologists also hold managerial, research, and planning positions in research firms, consulting firms, educational institutions, corporations, professional and trade associations, hospitals, and welfare or other nonprofit organizations. Some sociologists have private practices in counseling, research, or consulting.

Besides the jobs described above, about 13,000 persons held sociology faculty positions in colleges and universities.   If you're interested in checking out opportunities in this area, go to Meyer Library and take a look at the latest issue of The Chronicles of Higher Education (available in the lower level of the library).

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

The Ph.D. degree is required for appointment to permanent teaching and research positions in colleges and universities and is essential for many senior level positions in research institutes, consulting firms, corporations, and government agencies. As the job market gets tighter through the year 2000, a Ph.D. will be increasingly required for virtually all academic and professional sociologist positions.

Sociologists with master's degrees can qualify for administrative and research positions in public agencies and private businesses. Training in research, statistical, and computer methods is an advantage in obtaining such positions. Advancement opportunities are more limited for master's degree holders than for Ph.Ds. Sociologists with master's degrees may qualify for teaching positions in junior colleges and for some college instructorships.

Bachelor's degree holders in sociology often get jobs in related fields. Many work as social workers, counselors or recreation workers in public and private welfare agencies. Others are employed as interviewers or as administrative or research assistants. Sociology majors with sufficient training in statistical and survey methods may qualify for positions as junior analysts or statisticians in business or research firms or government agencies.

In Federal Government, candidates generally need a college degree with 24 semester hours in sociology, including course work in theory and methods of social research. However, since competition for the limited number of positions is keen, advanced study in the field is highly recommended.

About 185 colleges and universities offer doctoral (Ph.D.) degree programs in sociology; most of these also offer a master's degree. In about 170 schools, the master's is the highest degree offered, and about 850 schools have bachelor's degree programs (including Missouri State University).

Sociology departments offer a vide variety of courses including sociological theory, field methods, social statistics and quantitative methods, crime and deviance, social psychology, family and society, gender roles, population, social stratification, social control, small group analysis, urban sociology, rural sociology, social organizations, and sociology of religion, law, the arts, war, politics, education work and occupations, and mental health.

Some departments of sociology have highly structured programs (such as Missouri State), while others are relatively unstructured and leave most course selection up to individual students. Departments have different requirements regarding foreign language skills, courses in statistics, internships, and completion of a thesis for the master's degree.

The choice of a graduate school is important for people who want to become sociologists. Students should select a school that has adequate research facilities and offers appropriate areas of specialization such as theory, demography, clinical sociology, or quantitative methods. Opportunities to gain practical experience also may be available, and sociology departments may help place students in business or research firms and government agencies.

Certification by the Sociological Practice Association (SPA) is necessary for some clinical sociology positions. Certification requirements generally include at least one year of experience that demonstrates competence in clinical sociology, a doctorate or a master's degree from an accredited school, and successful demonstration of competency at SPA-sponsored training workshops or conferences.

The ability to work independently is important for sociologists. Intellectual curiosity is an essential trait; researchers must have inquiring minds and a desire to find explanations for the phenomena they observe. Like other social scientists, sociologists must be objective in gathering information about social institutions and behavior; they need analytical skills in order to organize data effectively and reach valid conclusions; and they must be careful and systematic in their work. Because communicating their findings to other people is an important part of the job, sociologists must be able to speak well and to write clearly and concisely.

Job Outlook

Demand for sociologists should be spurred by research in various fields such as demography, criminology, and gerontology and by the need to evaluate and administer programs designed to cope with social and welfare problems. Most job openings, however are expected to result from the need to replace sociologists who transfer to other occupations, or retire or leave the labor force for other reasons.  Some data on sociology careers is available in the most recent edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

An increasing proportion of Ph.Ds will enter non-academic careers. Some may take research and administrative positions in government, research organizations, and business firms. Those well-trained in quantitative research methods--including survey techniques, advanced statistics, and computer science --will have the widest choice of jobs. For example, private firms that contract with the government to evaluate social programs and conduct other research increasingly seek sociologists with strong quantitative skills.

Demand is expected to be much stronger for sociologists with training in practice areas--such as clinical sociology, criminology, environmental sociology, medical sociology, gerontology, and demography--than for specialists in sociological theory. For example, additional demographers may be sought to help businesses plan marketing and advertising programs and to help developing countries analyze censuses, prepare population projections, and formulate long-range public planning programs.

More criminologists may be sought to help reduce deviance (from legally and socially accepted behavior in our society). More gerontologists may be needed to help formulate programs for our expanding elderly population. Sociologists with training in other applied disciplines--such as public policy, public administration, and business administration--will be attractive to employers seeking managerial and administrative personnel.

Persons with a master's degree in sociology will find few, if any, academic positions, even in junior and community colleges. They also will face strong competition for the limited number of nonacademic positions open to them. Some may find research and administrative jobs in research firms, business, and government; for example, sociologists with backgrounds in business and quantitative research methods may find opportunities in market research firms.

Bachelor's degree holders will find fewer opportunities for jobs as professional sociologists. As in the past, many graduates will take positions as trainees and assistants in business, industry, and government. As with advanced degree holders, extensive training in quantitative research methods provides these graduates with the most marketable skills. Some may find positions in social welfare agencies. 

For those planning careers in law, social work, journalism, business, recreation, counseling, and other related disciplines, sociology provides an excellent background. Those who meet State certification requirement (where needed) may become high school sociology teachers.

Earnings

According to the most recent edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook ((Taken from the website):

"Educational attainment of social scientists is among the highest of all occupations.

Job opportunities are expected to be best in social service agencies, research and testing services, and management consulting firms.

In the Federal Government, social scientists with a bachelor’s degree and no experience could start at $20,600 or $25,500 a year in 1999, depending on their college records. Those with a master’s degree could start at $31,200, and those with a Ph.D. degree could begin at $37,700, while some individuals with experience and an advanced degree could start at $45,200. Beginning salaries were slightly higher in selected areas of the country where the prevailing local pay level was higher." 

Please visit the Handbook website for more information on work conditions, salaries, and more.

In general, sociologists with the Ph.D. degree earn substantially higher salaries than those without the doctoral degree. Some sociologists supplement their regular salaries with earnings from other sources, such as consulting or counseling work.

Information of Interest in Career Planning

The Department has made a collection of books and booklets available to students wanting to know more about careers using a sociology degree. A list of these materials is found below. The collection, entitled "Careers in Sociology," may be obtained in either one of two ways - either from the department or by ordering them on-line (many are free).

Embarking Upon a Career in Sociology with an Undergraduate Sociology Major, by Bettina J. Huber. Discusses how to identify interests and skills, pinpoint suitable jobs through informational interviewing, prepare a resume and conduct an employment interview.

How to Join the Federal Workforce and Advance Your Sociological Career, by Abbott L. Ferris. Describes the advantages of Federal employment. Gives tips on the formal and informal processes in finding employment in the Federal government well suited to one's skills. Includes sections on preparing the application (SF-171), and special opportunities.

Careers in Sociology, prepared by the American Sociological Association. Provides a description of the various careers available in sociology and offers an understanding of the scope of sociology and its areas of specialization.

Career Possibilities for Sociology Graduates, by Bettina J. Huber. For those students who have wondered what one can do with a degree in sociology. It identifies job titles of sociologists currently employed by industry, government and non-profit groups. Separate lists are shown for students with BA's, MA's, and PhD's in sociology.

The Sociology Major as Preparation for Careers in Business, by Delbert C. Miller. Provides information on the options available to sociology majors interested in pursuing careers in business or industry. Includes sections on the roles of practitioners and academics, job prospects, and post-BA education, and advice for the student interested in practicing sociology in the context of a business career.

Majoring in Sociology: A Guide for Students, by the American Sociological Association. Designed for high school and undergraduate students seeking information about how to apply to college and secure a degree in sociology, what programs are offered in sociology departments, how and where to seek employment information, and the areas of sociology in which a student could specialize.

Mastering the Job Market: Using Graduate Training in Sociology for Careers in Applied Settings, by Bettina J. Huber. Provides tips on how graduate students can find employment in the public/private sectors. It includes discussion of interest and skills, how to identify appropriate jobs, informational interviews, resumes, and employment interviews.

In addition to the materials listed above, the Department has purchased several videos for use by students wanting to know how they may use their sociology degree in the job marketplace. The videos, available for viewing in the Audiovisual section of Meyer Library (ground floor) include:

Sociologists in Business and Industry: An Introduction. Directed by Christine Wright-Isak. Corporate sociologists in advertising, banking, insurance, information/communication, and consumer research industries describe their practice of sociology, their accomplishments and careers. 27 minutes.

Students are encouraged to talk with their sociology advisor and any of the other sociology faculty concerning career possibilities as well as any other matter related to their studies.

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