Careers in Sociology
A. Human Services
This is a career working in community organizations or social service agencies. It is for those who enjoy a challenge, are not afraid of change, and enjoy solving problems.Jobs are found in a variety of areas: labor, work with minorities, in politics, in criminal justice areas, in law, in recreation, in marriage and family related areas, working with gay and lesbian issues, in local communities.It is recommended to volunteer with organizations to gain experience, supplement your major with courses in areas of interest, and learn foreign languages.
Non-Profit Agencies offer many opportunities to use Sociological knowledge and skills of working with people.
Social and human services assistant specialize in social problems arising from individual or group deviance, such as crime and delinquency, or racial/group discrimination or other social problems rooted in failure of society to achieve its collective purpose.
Clinical sociologists (masters or PhD required) work with individuals and groups to identify group dysfunctions, and to alleviate problems related to group organization, authority relationships, and role conflicts.
Areas of service (casework, social work, programming, educating)
Adoption Community health Crisis intervention Disabled
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Family services Immigrant assistance |
Mental health |
B. Teaching
.Alternative certification is a route for Sociology graduates who want to teach in the Public Schools.
| Public school teacher | College instructor |
Teaching at the college level requires a minimum of 18 credit hours at the masters degree level.
C. Social Research and Data Analysis
This is an area for those who enjoy research data and working with numbers. There are job opportunities in diverse areas including in business and industry, organizations, government, libraries, non-profits, publishers, and research centers. It is recommended to develop strong computer skills, statistical analyzation skills, and writing skills.
A demographer is a population specialist who collects and analyzes vital statistics related to population changes, such as births, marriages, and deaths. Demographers plan and conduct demographic research, surveys, and experiments to study human populations and affecting trends.
Industsrial sociologists (masters degree required) may specialize in research on group relationships and processes in an indusstrial organization.
Other Positions:
| Research director |
Social survey director | |
| Data analyst | Principle Investigator | Social science analyst |
| Policy analyst | Survey research technician | Statistical analyst |
D. Public Employment
There are many opportunities for Sociologists in federal, state or local governments. The federal government has many entry level jobs for sociology majors.
It is recommended to develop strong computer skills.
Employment at the Federal Level:
Many of government units are focused on social life, social changes, and social causes of behavior. Departments that hire include the
Veterans Administration, Housing and Urban Development, Defense, Agriculture, Interior, Commerce, Transportation, Education, Treasury, and Energy. Especially notable are the following:
Department of Agriculture
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Drug Enforcement Administration
Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Customs Service
U.S. Information Agency
Positions include:
Academic exchange specialist
Customs inspector
Employee development specialist
Human rights worker
Intelligence research specialist
Labor and employee relations specialist
Legislative aide
Management analyst
Peace Corps volunteer
Personnel management specialist
Position classification specialist
Program specialist
Writer/editor
Policy Analyst
Urban sociologists focus on research on the origin, growth, structure, and demographic characteristics of cities and social patterns and distinctive problems that result from an urban environment
Rural sociologists may specialize in research on rural communities in contrast with urban communities and special problems occasioned by the impact of scientific and industrial revolutions on a rural way of life.
A social ecologist specializes in research on interrelations between physical environment and technology in spatial distribution of people and their activities.
Employment at the State Level:
Administrative assistant
Analyst
Inspector
Investigator
Program assistant
Related Occupations at the City/County/Local Level:
There are opportunities at the county level, municipal level, township level, in school districts, and in commissions or other boards or authorities.
Investigator
Inspector
Juvenile Court Worker
Office manager
Program developer
E. Human Resource Management
This is an area that combines human interaction with paperwork and administration to help an organization maintain coheiveness, solve problems, provide the right environment, training, and other issues related to human resources.It can include data management, training, administration, public presentations.
A social pathologist specializes in investigation of group behavior that is considered detrimental to the proper functioning of society.
The social welfare research worker conducts research that is used as a tool for planning and carrying out social welfare programs.
Other Positions
Affirmative action coordinator
Arbitrator
Benefits administrator
Benefits analyst
Benefits manager
Compensation manager
Compensation specialist
Education specialist
Employee assistance plan managers
Employee benefits manager
Employee development specialist
Employee relations representative
Employee welfare office manager
Employee relations representative
Employee interviewer
Employment specialist
Equal Employment Opportunity representative
Grievance officer
Human resource information systems specialist
Human resources coordinator
Human resources manager
Human resources specialist
Industrial relations manager
Industrial relations specialist
Internal human resouurce manager
Interviewer
Job analyst
Job classification specialist
Labor relations specialist
Management analyst
Mediator
Occupational analyst
Personnel administrator
Personnel consultant
Personnel director
Personnel management specialist
Personnel officer
Personnel staffing specialist
Position classification specialist
Position classifier
Position review specialist
Recreation specialist
Recruiter
Salary administrator
Service coordinator
Test development specialist
Training and development manager
Executive assistant, nonprofit organization
Labor relations manager
Lawyer
Public relations specialist
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