If you are passionate about exploring identity and gender issues, political economy, ethnic identities and social movements, a career in sociology might be right for you. Studying sociology can provide you with an understanding of our global, political and cultural interactions. Students aiming for a degree in sociology can succeed in a wide range of careers. If you’re aiming for a change of career, a degree in sociology can help you find a new job.
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Understanding sociology
The field of sociology is concerned with studying society and the relationships and behavior of human beings. This is a branch of social science that utilizes critical analysis and investigation to understand the problems faced by networks, organizations and society. The subjects covered in sociology can be quite diverse and can include social class, race, crime, education and poverty. It can also include the study of wider issues such as the impact of change on societies. A degree in sociology will explore and analyze human behavior in different societies.
Courses in this field will usually start by providing students with an overview of political and social problems and challenges in contemporary sociology. There may also be specialized modules that cover topics such as equality, culture, race and gender equality, among others. Students may also have the opportunity to choose modules that interest them the most.
Things to study if you are interested in sociology
Anyone interested in studying sociology or human psychology would need to understand a few basic concepts such as friendships and how they function. Learning about the three types of friendship, including comrades, confidants and constituents, can help you form a foundation for studies in social work. If you are aiming to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work such as the one offered by Spring Arbor University, there may not be any specific prerequisites or essential subjects that are required to be accepted into the program. It is, however, useful to have a basic understanding of subjects such as media study, geography, history and psychology. Developing research and analytical skills will also be very useful when you are pursuing your degree in this field.
Benefits of a sociology degree
The research and analytical skills you will gain while pursuing a sociology degree will be applicable to a variety of careers. Students can choose to work in the charity or hospitality sector. Counseling and therapy are also very lucrative roles to pursue for sociology students due to their understanding of human behavior. Careers in marketing, HR, journalism and teaching are other options graduates can pursue. Some graduates might opt for postgraduate or research studies to boost their careers further.
Sociology helps you develop skills that are far-reaching, so students can choose between many different career options. It is also possible to pick a specialization based on your interests. These specializations can help you focus on one area so you can be more employable in that field. If you specialize in crime, for example, it will be easier to pursue careers in rehabilitation. Instead of a set career path, students can learn about a diverse range of topics and subjects. This flexible education provides them with a variety of career opportunities. Overall employment rates of social workers are projected to grow faster than average until 2031. Graduates will be able to apply for many fulfilling roles, such as school counselors, diversity managers, urban planners, paralegals, community health workers, social workers and HR coordinators.
Career prospects for students with sociology degrees
Depending on your personal interests and career goals, there are a number of different career paths to choose from once you graduate with a degree in sociology. The next few sections will provide you with more insight into the career options available, and what you can expect in each of those roles.
Careers in youth and community work
Youth and community development careers are incredibly important roles within society. These are also the most common fields pursued by those with a sociology degree. Professionals in these roles focus on social welfare for those who are young and vulnerable. They also serve the wider community at the national scale. These roles are often closely involved with social politics, healthcare, rehabilitation, poverty, community involvement, education and social care.
A degree in sociology will provide you with advanced knowledge about how to support community development. You will be able to learn more about how regulations and local laws affect society. The degree will also provide you with solid interpersonal skills that you will be able to utilize during your career. Some of the common roles you may be able to apply for in this field include sports development officer, diversity and equality officer, youth worker, community officer, care provider and social worker. This can be a very rewarding career for sociology graduates.
Therapy and counseling
Sociology degrees can also allow you to work directly with the community through therapy and counseling careers. Professional psychologists typically need to pursue a psychology degree; however, therapists and counselors can have a variety of educational backgrounds. If you are interested in pursuing this career, you will need to have strong communication, critical thinking and interpersonal skills. You will need to have empathy and the ability to be a good listener. With this career, you will be able to work closely with people from diverse backgrounds. You will help them overcome their problems by encouraging them to deeply explore issues. A degree in sociology can provide you with a firm foundation but you may need additional qualifications to be able to pursue a career in this industry depending on your location.
Education careers
A degree in sociology can provide you with the right knowledge of child development, and the effect of education on society in order to pursue a career in the field of education. You can build on the skills you learn in sociology studies so you will have a solid foundation when you pursue teaching qualifications. A career in education will typically require a postgraduate qualification, so it may be a good idea to plan for a master’s degree or a post-degree Bachelor of Education. You may also be able to find a role that aligns with your specialization with a research or teaching role. Some of the roles you may be able to pursue with a degree in sociology include researcher, tutor and lecturer.
Public service roles
Jobs in public service for sociology students may include roles in public health services, housing and rehabilitation, prison and probation services, criminal justice and welfare services. Public service careers may be quite similar to those in the community development field. You may also be able to pursue the role of a social researcher to track developments and conduct societal research. For societal research careers, you will need strong critical and analytical thinking, an understanding of cultures and the ability to process and understand complex information. You will also need good interpersonal skills and an understanding of the current regulations and laws.
Sociology in business
If you are interested in a really exciting role, think about combining a background in business and sociology. This will open many potential roles and career paths for you. Business roles are available in every industry and may include roles in human resources, recruitment, public relations, research and marketing. A degree in sociology will provide you with solid analytical skills that will be useful in a business career. With critical thinking skills, you will be able to find solutions and solve problems for issues faced by businesses.
Marketing roles
Marketing focuses on delivering targeted messages to the audience by identifying the unique needs of the demographics so they can take action. A background in sociology will provide you with the ability to understand complex societies and the behavior of human beings. This can be a very helpful skill if you are planning to pursue a marketing career. Understanding how to analyze and categorize demographics and create marketing campaigns based on these categories will help you create strong campaigns. Your analytical and statistical skills will provide a good background for achieving success in this industry.
Activism and political roles
Students of sociology have a deep understanding of society, culture and relationships. This understanding allows them to understand issues related to gender equality, class and race. A career in politics, charity and activism will allow you to use your knowledge and skills to improve our society for everyone. Certain roles in politics may require you to pursue a postgraduate degree. Many roles are also available to those with a bachelor’s degree and the right skills. A degree in sociology will train you to develop skills such as conducting research, keeping up to date with current affairs, analyzing complex data, logic, reasoning and interpersonal skills.
Sociology is a very diverse field and a degree in this field of study will provide you with skills that will be applicable in many sectors. Most employers are looking for candidates with good communication skills, the ability to work in teams, evaluation, critical thinking and the ability to analyze complex data. A degree in sociology will equip you with all these employable skills so you can be successful in the field you choose to pursue for your career.
