Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups, cultures, organizations, social institutions, and processes that develop when people interact and work together. Show DutiesSociologists typically do the following:
Sociologists study human behavior, interaction, and organization. They observe the activity of social, religious, political, and economic groups, organizations, and institutions. They examine the effect of social influences, including organizations and institutions, on different individuals and groups. They also trace the origin and growth of these groups and interactions. For example, they may research the impact of a new law or policy on a specific demographic. Sociologists often use both quantitative and qualitative methods when conducting research, and they frequently use statistical analysis programs during the research process. Their research may help administrators, educators, lawmakers, and social workers to solve social problems and formulate public policy. Sociologists may specialize in a wide range of social topics, including, but not limited to:
Sociologists who specialize in crime may be called criminologists or penologists. These workers apply their sociological knowledge to conduct research and analyze penal systems and populations and to study the causes and effects of crime. Many people with a sociology background become postsecondary teachers and high school teachers. Most others find work in related jobs outside the sociologist profession such as policy analysts, demographers, survey researchers, and statisticians. Work Environment Sociologists held about 3,000 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of sociologists were as follows:
Sociologists typically work in an office. They may work outside of an office setting when conducting research through interviews or observations or presenting research results. Work SchedulesMost sociologists work full time during regular business hours. Education and Training Most sociology jobs require a master’s degree or Ph.D. Many bachelor’s degree holders find positions in related fields, such as social services, education, or public policy. EducationSociologists typically need a master’s degree or Ph.D. There are two types of sociology master’s degree programs: traditional programs and applied, clinical, and professional programs. Traditional programs prepare students to enter a Ph.D. program. Applied, clinical, and professional programs prepare students to enter the workplace, teaching them the necessary analytical skills to perform sociological research in a professional setting. Courses in research methods and statistics are important for candidates in both master’s and Ph.D. programs. Many programs also offer opportunities to gain experience through internships or by preparing reports for clients. Other ExperienceCandidates with a bachelor’s degree may benefit from internships or volunteer work when looking for entry-level positions in sociology or a related field. These types of opportunities give students a chance to apply their academic knowledge in a professional setting and develop skills needed for the field. Personality and Interests Sociologists typically have an interest in the Thinking, Creating and Helping interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Thinking interest area indicates a focus on researching, investigating, and increasing the understanding of natural laws. The Creating interest area indicates a focus on being original and imaginative, and working with artistic media. The Helping interest area indicates a focus on assisting, serving, counseling, or teaching other people. If you are not sure whether you have a Thinking or Creating or Helping interest which might fit with a career as a sociologist, you can take a career test to measure your interests. Sociologists should also possess the following specific qualities: Analytical skills. Sociologists must be able to carefully analyze data and other information, often utilizing statistical processes to test their theories. Communication skills. Sociologists need strong communication skills when they conduct interviews, collaborate with colleagues, and present research results. Critical-thinking skills. Sociologists must be able to think critically when doing research. They must design research projects and collect, process, and analyze information in order to draw logical conclusions about society and the groups it comprises. Problem-solving skills. Sociologists’ research typically is focused on identifying, studying, and solving sociological problems. Writing skills. Sociologists frequently write reports detailing their findings. Pay The median annual wage for sociologists was $83,420 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $46,920, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $141,770. In May 2019, the median annual wages for sociologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Most sociologists work full time during regular business hours. Job Outlook Employment of sociologists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. Sociologists will continue to be needed to apply sociological research to other disciplines. For example, sociologists may collaborate with researchers in other social sciences, such as economists, psychologists, and survey researchers, to study how social structures or groups influence policy decisions about health, education, politics, criminal justice, business, or economics. Job ProspectsCandidates with a Ph.D., strong statistical and research skills, and a background in applied sociology will have the best job prospects. However, Ph.D. holders can expect to face strong competition for sociologist positions because sociology is a popular field of study with a relatively small number of positions. FAQWhere does this information come from? The career information above is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. This excellent resource for occupational data is published by the U.S. Department of Labor every two years. Truity periodically updates our site with information from the BLS database. I would like to cite this page for a report. Who is the author? There is no published author for this page. Please use citation guidelines for webpages without an author available. I think I have found an error or inaccurate information on this page. Who should I contact? This information is taken directly from the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Truity does not editorialize the information, including changing information that our readers believe is inaccurate, because we consider the BLS to be the authority on occupational information. However, if you would like to correct a typo or other technical error, you can reach us at . I am not sure if this career is right for me. How can I decide? There are many excellent tools available that will allow you to measure your interests, profile your personality, and match these traits with appropriate careers. On this site, you can take the Career Personality Profiler assessment, the Holland Code assessment, or the Photo Career Quiz. What are the 4 types of sociology?The four main theoretical perspectives in the field of sociology are symbolic interactionism theory, social conflict theory, structural-functional theory, and feminist theory.
What are the 7 types of sociology?The 7 Areas of Sociology. Social Organization. Source. ... . Sociological Social Psychology. Source. ... . Social Change. Source. ... . Human Ecology. Source. ... . Population and Demographics. ... . Applied Sociology. ... . Sociological Methods & Research.. What is the term that sociologist use to describe expressions and practices that are found in every culture?What is the term that sociologists use to describe "expressions and practices that are found in every culture?" cultural universals.
What are all sociologist aiming to accomplish with their work?Regardless of their various approaches to social phenomena, what are all sociologists trying to do? Illuminate the connection between the individual and society. Many everyday cultural practices—such as greeting a friend, giving someone flowers, or using the thumbs-up sign—seem like natural ways of acting.
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