Sociology is a field that involves studying individuals and societies and how they interact. Sociologists analyze societal and social behavior by means of examining the respective groups, cultures, and social institutions.
According to Forbes many employers prefer hiring candidates that had sociology as a major at college. The employment of sociologists is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations. Social, political, and business organizations will require sociologists to research, evaluate, and address various social problems and programs.
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If you have strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, a career in sociology can be a good choice. Those of you who are interested in understanding society and human social interactions should consider this line of work.
As a sociologist you will be required to design research projects to test theories about social problems, collect data, analyze and draw conclusions from the findings. Preparing reports or presentations and consulting with clients and policymakers on research findings and sociological issues are some other tasks that sociologists perform.
An Associate in Sociology
The associate in sociology is a two-year undergraduate degree designed to provide an educational experience that prepares learners to build a solid foundation for further study in this area. The program also prepares students for work and an enriched life as enable them to become well-informed members of the society. The curriculum in the associate degree programs may include topics such as global population dynamics, sociology of health and illness, academic sociology and organizational analysis.
Continuing Education
Sociology degrees are offered from the associate to doctorate level. Most sociology jobs require a graduate or a PhD. A doctorate helps students move into the roles of professors or teachers. Graduates with a bachelor's degree can work as sociology research assistants or find jobs in various other fields such as management, social services, administration or marketing.
Students can pursue the traditional master's programs or applied, clinical, and professional programs. The traditional degree prepares students for a PhD program while the applied, clinical, and professional programs are useful for the ones who want to enter the professional workplace.
The coursework in the advanced programs includes both statistics and research. In addition to classroom-based instruction, students also complete internships in these programs.
Career Prospects
The employment of sociologists is expected to grow by 18% from 2010 to 2020, making this line of work an excellent option for the ones who seek jobs with consistent pay and growth opportunities. Sociologists can earn between $44,000 and $129,000 on an annual basis.
Sociologists can find jobs with various capacities such as research and development in sectors related to social sciences and humanities, local government, colleges, universities, and professional schools. Most of these professionals work full-time. The ones who want to find the best job prospects should obtain an advanced degree and develop strong research skills.
Online Programs
Online schools also offer programs in sociology. The distance learning programs can be suitable for the ones who are already working and want to earn advanced credentials to improve their career prospects. The flexibility of the online programs makes them very useful for those who cannot attend regular classes due to personal or professional commitments.