 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Learn about Graduate & Professional School
|
|
WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN SOCIOLOGY? Overview Overview
Students who are interested in careers in Sociology should be skilled in analyzing, synthesizing, and interpreting information,7 applying a range research techniques to observe aspects of human social behavior,8 and communicating sociological information through reports that can be understood by non-sociologists.9 Hopkins offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology for study in three broad substantive areas:
The department also grants concentration certificates through the Program in Cross-National Sociology and International Development (PCSID) and the Program in Social Inequality (PSI) which are its two main areas of expertise. The Program in Cross-National Sociology and International Development (PCSID) is geared toward students who are interested in social inequality, stratification, and social change from a global, comparative, and historical perspective, and the Program in Social Inequality (PSI) examines race, class, and gender in the U.S. context.11 All students pursue rigorous research preparation through required courses in Research Methods for the Social Sciences, Quantitative Research Practicum, and Qualitative Research Practicum in addition to studies of Social Theory and Social Statistics; certificate students must also study a foreign language through the intermediate level and have one semester of independent research experience.12 The focus on research design and methods13 combined with the solid base students receive in the understanding of social change, statistics, theory, and sociological concepts14 prepare Sociology graduates for careers in social service and government and for advanced study in Sociology.15 Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups, cultures, organizations, and social institutions people form, and how social influences affect people.16 Most work in highly specialized areas such as social organization, stratification and mobility, racial and ethnic relations, education, the family, social psychology, urban, rural, political and comparative sociology, gender relations, and criminology.17 In applied settings, sociology practitioners work in research departments for government agencies and corporations and participate in organizational analysis and development. In academic settings, sociologists teach in colleges and universities and contribute to research and scholarship on theory, work, occupations, labor relations, or organizations.18 Their work is often the basis of government policy and initiatives.19 An undergraduate degree in Sociology provides a foundation for a variety of careers outside of social service and government. Many careers do not require a specific major, but rather a wide range of skills and accomplishments; the qualitative and quantitative research skills combined with communication abilities and the understanding of human social behavior obtained by undergraduate sociology students are marketable in any profession. Sociology provides a foundation for a variety of careers including preparation for Medical and Law School and advanced study in the behavioral and social sciences. Supplementary course work plus hands-on experiences in internships and volunteer activities qualify bachelor’s degree Sociologists for case management jobs and administrative work in social services, junior corporate research and human resource positions in business, and college admissions counseling in education.20 An advanced degree is required to become a director of research or professor.21 A few areas of specialization in the Sociology field include:
Market Research Analysts study market conditions to determine the potential for sales of a product or service within a local, regional, or national area. They also gather information on competitors, sales, prices, and methods for marketing and distribution. Their research results are often applied to marketing campaigns to address buying habits and regional preferences.
Human resources recruiters work for corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. They maintain contacts in the community and make use of the contacts to seek qualified job applicants. Recruiters screen and interview candidates and extend of job offers. Their professional development includes staying up to date with organizational hiring policies, equal employment opportunity, and affirmative action guidelines.
Human resources specialists develop and implement human resource programs and policies including staffing, compensation, benefits, immigration, employee relations, training, and health and safety programs. They work with Corporate Recruiters to help new employees transition into the organization and assess employees for promotion.
Management Consultant Analysts work for consulting firms to analyze business problems by collecting data from internal and external sources. They develop possible solutions and make recommendations to the management team.
Social Service Caseworkers help individuals and families secure assistance from social service agencies. They interview clients to assess the full scope of need and direct them to the appropriate resources in the community. In some instances, they advocate on the client’s behalf for financial assistance from government or non-profit agencies.
Youth Organizers manage and administer youth and community projects, programs, and resources. In their work, they conduct needs assessment, and plan and deliver relevant programs of personal and social education. Programming can take the form of discussions, arts-based activities, community/environmental projects, residential activities, and outdoor/sports activities.
Parole Officers supervise adult and juvenile offenders (“parolees”) who have been released from prison to ensure they meet all requirements of their parole. They develop plans for he offenders before the release date and arrange for services such as housing, employment, medical care, and counseling. Parolees must maintain regular contact with the parole officer who conducts follow-up evaluations of progress.22 Many sociology graduates work in a variety of jobs outside of social services including work in journalism, politics, public relations, public administration, and other fields that involve investigative skills and working with diverse groups.23 The outlook for careers in Sociology is expected to grow over the next few years.25 Undergraduate coursework in sociology includes a broad range of studies in the social sciences, and will help to develop the skills and abilities associated with careers in the field,30 including: Statistics Sociologists need to understand social change, have a sense of history, and other cultures and times, and the interconnectedness of social life framework. This ability, combined with coursework in social research methods, statistics, and computer science, enables sociologists to have a competitive edge in the information society.32 An undergraduate major in Sociology can be combined with a second undergraduate major or minor in economics, anthropology, or political science to broaden the impact of the degree33 and pursue a vast array of career interests. Supplementary coursework in psychology, public speaking, and advanced or technical writing will also strengthen the career possibilities for sociology students.34 Hopkins sociology students should use internships and independent research opportunities to apply their knowledge gained through coursework in the workplace as well as to enhance their skills and abilities. Also, students may pursue more specific career preparation strategies depending on the area of specialization in which they are interested. Hopkins Sociology alumni go into a variety of career fields. Since 2003 the Career Center has surveyed recent graduates about their academic and career plans 6 months after graduation. Here is a summary of their responses. Listed below are actual job titles that JHU alumni acquired with their degree in Sociology: Account Manager Hopkins Alumni in Sociology Matthew Zaft, Vice-President Investments, Merrill Lynch inCircle - a professional and social networking site for Hopkins students and alumn where you can identify alumni by career field, major and orgnaization. LinkedIn.com -a professional networking site where you can identify Hopkins alumni. Join the LinkedIn Johns Hopkins University Alumni Group to add over 4000+ alumni to your network. The Career Center is here to help you navigate the graduate school search process. Click here for guidelines and preparing for Graduate School and Professional School. For information on the specific programs, the best people to talk to are the experts in your field you wish to study, faculty members and graduate students in that specific discipline. We strongly encourage you to talk with your advisor and other faculty members with whom you have a good working relationship. This will also help when you request letters of recommendation. The Career Center has a handout to guide you in asking for letters of recommendation. Professional Associations and Honor Societies Alpha Kappa Delta Additional Professional Associations and Honor Societies include: Alpha Kappa Delta International Endnotes: 1 University of North Carolina Wilmington Student Affairs Career Center “What Can I Do With A Major In Sociology?” 3 University of North Carolina Wilmington Student Affairs Career Center “What Can I Do With A Major In Sociology?” 4 American Sociological Association: Careers and Jobs – Society and Social Life 5 American Sociological Association: Careers and Jobs – Career Preparations: Making the Most of an Undergraduate Major 6 Johns Hopkins University Department of Sociology “About the Department” 7 University of North Carolina Wilmington The Career Center, Explore and Research Careers 8 American Sociological Association: Careers and Jobs – Society and Social Life 9 American Sociological Association” What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology?” The Bachelors and Beyond Survey 10 Johns Hopkins University Department of Sociology “About the Department” 11 Johns Hopkins University Department of Sociology Undergraduate Program 12 ibid 13 American Sociological Association: Careers and Jobs – Career Preparations: Job Prospects for the BA/BS Sociology Major 14 American Sociological Association: Careers and Jobs – Career Preparations: Making the Most of an Undergraduate Major 15 American Sociological Association: Careers and Jobs - A World of Opportunities 16 Johns Hopkins University Career Center Social Science Research Career Profile 17 Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008 – 2009 Edition, United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics: Social Scientists 18 American Sociological Association: Careers and Jobs – Sociological Roles Relating to Business, Industry, and Work 19 Johns Hopkins University Career Center Explore Careers & Majors: Social Science Research- What You Need to Know 21 American Sociological Association: Careers and Jobs - A World of Opportunities 22 The University of Texas Austin Career Exploration Center “What Can I Do With A Major In Sociology?” Booklet (.pdf) 23 American Sociological Association: Careers and Jobs - A World of Opportunities 24 University of North Carolina Wilmington Student Affairs Career Center “What Can I Do With A Major In Sociology?” 25 Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008 – 2009 Edition, United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics 26 American Sociological Association: Careers and Jobs – Career Preparations: Job Prospects for the BA/BS Sociology Major 27 Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008 – 2009 Edition, United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics 28 American Sociological Association: Careers and Jobs – Career Preparations: Job Prospects for the BA/BS Sociology Major 29 American Sociological Association: Careers and Jobs – Society and Social Life 30 American Sociological Association: Careers and Jobs – Career Preparations: Making the Most of an Undergraduate Major 31 ibid 32 ibid 33 ibid 34 ibid 35 Johns Hopkins University Career Center Explore Careers & Majors: What Can you Do With A Major in Sociology? 36 Johns Hopkins University Department of Sociology: Quick Links – Alpha Kappa Delta 37 American Sociological Association: Aligned Scholarly Associations |
 |
||||||||||||
|
