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5.1: Academic and Professional Preparation

  • Page ID
    43057
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    Many sociology degree programs prepare students for work as data or policy analysts, researchers, and support staff for private, public, and non-profit agencies (Soriano 2019). The problem with the degree’s generalized focus is that students often choose the quickest pathway to degree completion without considering the skills and competencies they will need to be a contender or compete in the job market.

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    This image "Photography of People Graduating" by Emily Ranquist is licensed under CC BY 4.0

    From the onset, a sociology major must determine what type of work or career they want. A career as a basic sociologist will require a doctoral level degree, which will consist of four years completing undergraduate or bachelor’s level classes, two years fulfilling graduate or master’s level courses plus thesis, and two to four additional years to complete doctoral course work and a dissertation. Basic sociology is for someone who wants to focus on publishing research and/or working as a university professor.

    To be a public sociologist, you may or may not need to earn a doctoral degree depending on the area and level of social policy you wish to work. If you want to write policy or make direct changes to law or the judicial system, you will need a doctoral or a law degree. If you want a job in advocacy focused on policy changes, your job title or work will depend on the level of degree you obtain. An undergraduate or bachelor’s degree will more than likely align with entry-level or program/administrative support type jobs (e.g., intake specialist, case manager, behavior technician, victim advocate, analyst, etc.).

    Academic preparation for work in applied or clinical sociology is similar to public sociology. An applied sociologist with a doctoral or master’s degree may find work in academia, program evaluation, or research as an administrator/director, faculty, or consultant depending on interest and area of expertise. As with public sociology, an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree will prepare you for entry-level or program/administrative support jobs.

    In addition to the type of sociological work you wish to do, you must consider what social condition(s) you want to work on as a change agent. Preparing yourself academically for work in public health is very different than preparing yourself for a job in criminal justice, education counseling, social work, etc. The elective courses you choose in college are paramount for preparing you for the industry and type of work you want to do as a sociologist. Make sure you examine the sociology major requirements and course options you have when deciding which courses to take. Remember, you want to be qualified for the jobs you want. For example, do not take medical sociology as an elective over a course in deviance and control if you are preparing for a career in probation or criminal justice. Medical sociology will help you develop comprehensive knowledge as a sociologist and understand the needs of some clients when working in criminal justice, but the information and knowledge you gain will not be as applicable for a career in probation as deviance and control. Medical sociology is a good match along with deviance and control if you plan on working in a psychiatric facility or psychiatric ward of a prison. Think about your career goal and choose the college and courses that will prepare for your dream job in sociology.

    clipboard_e53b2b6e966b89b33f3a95fc11e72b80e.png
    This image "Graphs Job Laptop Papers" by Lukas is licensed under CC BY 4.0

    Lastly, another consideration is that all jobs in sociology will require knowledge and skills in report writing, public speaking, research methods, and data analysis. In order to share information about a social condition or issue, sociologists must disseminate factual and empirical data in written form and through social interactions including face-to-face meetings and presentations. Part of communicating effectively requires the ability to transfer technical information about a social problem to diverse groups who have different levels of education and experience (Viola and McMahon 2010). The same is true for sharing solutions and approaches for social change. In preparing for a career as a sociologist, it is imperative to develop writing, public speaking, and research abilities. Mastering these skills will establish your credibility and make you competitive in the job market.

    There are a variety of ways people use and practice sociology. Basic, public, and applied sociology are the most common forms of sociological practice. Each form integrates research on human social life to understand and improve society. Let us explore the type of work you might be interested in pursuing as a sociologist.

    1. What is your dream job or career interest?
    2. Which form of sociological practice does your interest align (basic, public, or applied sociology)?
    3. What type of degree or how much education will you need to qualify for your dream job?
    4. Research bachelor’s level college courses and their descriptions in sociology and identify the best courses and electives you will need to take to prepare you for your dream job. Explain how these courses will help you develop the skills and competencies you need for a successful career in sociology.

    This page titled 5.1: Academic and Professional Preparation is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Vera Kennedy.

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