Many may have asked, “what career can you make with a sociology degree? Is a career in sociology marketable in our time”? The truth remains that there are a lot of Marketable careers in Sociology, and having a degree in sociology can be a great springboard into a wide variety of careers.
You can easily transfer the skills you acquire with your bachelor’s or master’s degree in sociology into achieving great success in other careers. The trick is understanding how to translate what you’ve learned into terms that future employers will find valuable.
If you are intrigued by how and why people interact with others this way, perhaps sociology is the most important thing. This writing will expose you to the top careers in Marketable Sociology.
Table of contents
Why is Sociology important?
Sociology studies social life, social change, and human behavior’s social causes and consequences. It is usually referred as the study of society, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture that surrounds everyday life.
In general, sociology offers you a unique and clear way to evaluate and understand the social world in which we live. It is also a social science that uses various methods of empirical inquiry and critical analysis to develop a knowledge of social order and change.
A degree in sociology not only gives you an insight into dealing with people based on their behavior, but also opens up a wide range of career opportunities.
Interestingly, there are Marketable careers in sociology that you can aspire to for this year if you have or are planning to get a sociology degree.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the need for sociologists is expected to grow 9 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. This can lead to strong competition.
What do careers in Sociology involve?
Sociology majors learn to research the social world. You will collect and analyze data using qualitative and statistical research methods.
Students specializing in sociology write reports to convey research results and present their perspectives on social issues. You learn to think about topics globally and to take care of details.
Sociology majors hone their presentation skills by sharing their findings with faculties and colleagues. All of these assignments will help students develop strong communication skills.
Sociology majors learn to identify problems that exist in the world around them. They apply problem-solving skills to these social dilemmas and exercise their creative skills to find cures. Sociology majors learn to take a stand on a subject and create a justification to support their perspective.
What are the duties of a sociologist?
As a sociologist, your responsibilities will include the following;
- The study of people’s behavior and how they interact with their environment.
- You are also responsible for monitoring social, religious, organizational, and institutional activities.
- Design research projects to test theories on social issues
- Collect data through surveys, observations, interviews, and other sources
- Analyze and conclude data.
- Prepare reports, articles, or presentations listing the research results
- Collaborate with other social scientists, policy makers, or other groups and advise them on research findings and sociological issues
Which Sociology degrees can I get a job with?
There are four different types of sociology degrees. Any of these degrees can get you a well-paying job to help put food on your table.
Any of these degrees will also help you build an exceptional career in sociology with no hassle. They include;
- Associate Degree
- Bachelor degree
- Master
- PhD
Associate Degree in Sociology
An Associate Degree in Sociology gives you a basic understanding of sociology and its implications. While this degree isn’t the highest, it’s a good place to start.
Basically, it takes 2 years to get an Associate Degree in Sociology as it is a two-year program offered at most accredited community and online colleges.
It focuses on courses such as behavioral science, psychology, and communication. Programs include contemporary social issues, cultural anthropology, introduction to political science, introduction to sociology, sociology of family dynamics, and statistics and public order.
The jobs that you can take on with Associate Degree in Sociology include:
- Youth Advisor
- Clerk,
- Public Relations Attorney
- Several assistant positions in public service.
With an associate sociology degree, you can begin a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor of Sociology
With a Bachelor’s in Sociology, you have various marketable career options. Interestingly, you can qualify for an internship or community service program during this degree.
Note that your Bachelor of Sociology prepares you for a wide range of careers in public relations, family counseling, community organization and justice administration, corrections and rehabilitation.
Below you will find courses that you will take in a Sociology Bachelor program. History of political systems and societies, questions of behavioral psychology, race, gender and social structures, movements of social justice, social science research methods, sociological perspectives, sociology of crime and violence and sociology of the family.
Master of Sociology
To obtain a degree in sociology, you must acquire a master’s degree in sociology. In other words, this advanced degree, which can take anywhere from one to three years, is for you if you are envisioning a career in public research, administration, or even a civil servant.
If you’re pursuing a career in social work or welfare, you can do so with a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree in sociology could give you an edge over your competitors.
It could also give you more opportunities to improve community services, public administrations, and think tank organizations.
Ph.D. of Sociology
The final PhD in Sociology is for those of you who are interested in major research in the field through a private research fund, government funded agency, or university.
This commitment of three to seven years is related to the research topic of your project.
You are following a topic in which you will work according to important traditions in the field of study while introducing a new vision of your discipline.
The doctor will also be qualified to teach sociology and related subjects at the university level.
Once you have a degree in sociology, several careers are available to suit your skills and knowledge.
Marketable Careers in Sociology
To choose the best career possible, you need to consider your other skills, interests, and values in addition to majoring in Sociology. Here are some common Marketable Careers in Sociology that you can explore as you consider applying your sociology degree to the world of work.
#1. Guidance Counsellor
Career counselors use knowledge of the sociology of learning to help students navigate the academic world. They also communicate with families to develop strategies to support student achievement.
Career counselors use interview and counseling techniques to help students make academic and professional decisions.
Career counselors use problem solving skills to mediate conflict and solve social problems in schools. They facilitate group sessions and teach students about social issues such as bullying, substance abuse, and safe sex.
Annual Salary: $57,040
#2. Human Resources Representative
Staff representatives must be effective and show finesse in dealing with a wide range of individuals and groups. You need to be able to analyze job roles and assess applicants’ suitability for jobs. Sociology majors learn interview skills that are essential to such an assessment.
HR workers use problem-solving skills to mediate conflicts and resolve personnel issues. Employee representatives use analytical and decision-making skills to evaluate alternative structures for employee benefits.
Annual Salary: $61,920
#3. Lawyer
Lawyers use critical thinking and analytical skills to investigate and litigate their cases. Many areas of legal practice such as divorce, custody, adoption, criminal law, personal injury, employee compensation, and labor law benefits are related to sociology.
Lawyers rely on research and writing skills in their work. You need to gather facts and evidence to support a thesis like sociology majors do with their position papers.
Lawyers need to present their results in a convincing way in order to convince a judge, jury or opposing attorney of their position. This is similar to presentations in sociology class.
Annual Salary: $122,960
#4. Business Consultant
Management consultants analyze business problems, research possible remedial measures or improvements, and present customer solutions.
New graduates often start in positions such as Research Analyst, Research Assistant or Junior Consultant, where they support the work of more senior staff.
Sociology majors develop qualitative and quantitative research skills to understand a business problem. Their problem-solving skills help them find workable solutions to these problems.
Writing and speaking skills are also critical when creating reports and presenting analysis and solutions to clients.
Annual Salary: $85,260
#5. Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts test products and services and evaluate the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. They collect data through social science research techniques such as interviews, surveys, and focus groups. Market researchers use statistical methods mastered by sociology majors to analyze data.
Market researchers often pursue preferences for certain consumer groups. The sociologist’s knowledge of gender, youth, age, race, ethnicity, and social class helps make these assessments.
Understanding group processes and advanced communication skills help sociology majors focus group interactions, and conduct consumer interviews.
Annual Salary: $63,790
#6. Media Planner
Media planners evaluate customers’ advertising needs and design a media plan to improve sales to different groups. Like sociology majors, they must be able to interpret research and analyze the preferences of their target audience.
Media planners are assisted by sociological knowledge as they examine the characteristics of different groups in order to choose the best possible media for promoting their product.
Annual Salary: $49,905
#7. Policy Analyst
Political analysts study issues that affect the public. They recommend laws to address these issues. Knowledge of sociology helps analysts assess the impact of legislation on social problems and different population groups.
Sociology majors have the foundation to analyze welfare, poverty, substance abuse, professional training, education, health care, and gay marriage. Political analysts – like sociology majors – rely on strong writing skills to present the results of their research and to convince lawmakers and the public of the feasibility of their recommendations.
Annual Salary: $59,312
#8. PR Specialist
PR specialists have to be the ultimate communicators. As such, they must have the sociology student’s ability to understand an audience and their attitudes, needs, and preferences. Writing skills are critical to creating impactful press releases.
PR staff must have the interpersonal skills to speak to and convince the media to tell stories about their clients or their organization. You need to convey ideas clearly to employees and customers and generate support and approval for their ideas.
Annual Salary: $61,150
Social workers apply the knowledge about social dynamics and social institutions learned through sociology studies to assess customer problems and solve problems. They refer to appropriate community agencies to use resources on behalf of individuals and families.
Active listening and verbal communication skills are essential to assess issues and advise clients on ways to improve their lives.
Annual Salary: $50,470
#10. Survey Researcher/Pollster
Survey and pollsters measure attitudes and opinions in areas familiar to the sociology major, such as social and political issues, health, culture, and consumer goods.
They carefully put together survey questions to get clear answers. Survey researchers use the data collection and statistical analysis techniques that sociology majors learn. They write and present reports to share their findings with clients.
Survey researchers use knowledge of groups and subcultures to evaluate the opinions of the target audience. You need to be curious about a social phenomenon to do background research on survey topics.
Annual Salary: $59,170
Careers in Sociology – FAQs
Human Resources Manager.
Project Manager.
Public Relations Specialist.
Guidance Counselor.
Sociology is a good fit for a business career: It is very hard out there just now. The truth is that no one with any kind of degree is going to walk into a job. So, sociology is perfect for a business career, probably better than business studies.
Employment of sociologists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Sociologists can expect strong competition because sociology is a popular field of study with relatively few positions.
Sociology and social work are very different careers with different educational pathways. While both draw on similar knowledge, sociology generally focuses on research and study. At the same time, social workers are more directly involved with applying knowledge about society to assist individuals and families.
Conclusion
Social, political, and business organizations will continue to use sociologists to research, evaluate, and address a wide variety of social issues, programs, and issues.
Sociologists are needed to apply sociological research to other disciplines as well. For example, sociologists can work with researchers from other fields to find out how social structures or groups influence political decisions in the fields of health, education, politics, economics or economics.
Reference
- sociology.nd.edu › careers-for-sociology-majors
- sociology.ucdavis.edu › undergraduate › careers
- www.greatvaluecolleges.net › highest-paying-sociology…
- www.affordablecollegesonline.org › careers-for-sociology…
