Sociology deals with the interpersonal relationships of people within a group or a society that make up the world. It deals with various aspects of human behaviour and its effects on other individuals. Social science is a subject that deciphers why society works the way it does. Understanding and analysing social issues and coming up with solutions to their situations is a big part of the study.
This science is applied on various levels to understand relationships within a group, however large or small. For instance, at a global level, sociology studies issues like population growth, economic developments, world politics etc but on a societal level, it studies religion, education, discrimination etc. Whereas on a personal level, it analyses love and romantic relationships, conflicts within the family, gender identity and so much more. Human relationships are complicated and very subjective to each individual. Some people find family in friends, for some family comes first, sociology offers an insight into the psyche of the human brain.
One needs to learn about the different facets of human behaviour and look into the past, present and future to get a better understanding. A large part of the subject has to do with the inequalities in society. How phenomenons like gender bias or caste discrimination affect people on a personal level, sociology is the study of that connection. Like every subject, the helm of this science is research. Observing a group of people, conducting surveys, analysing data, interviewing people and then making conclusions is a drawn-out process in sociology since it deals with human nature that is very evolving. To pursue a career after a degree in sociology, here is what the world offers.
What jobs can you get with a sociology degree?
Here are the 7 best jobs you can do after getting a sociology degree.
1. Social worker
With the inequalities in our society, a lot of people are struggling to find means and ways to sustain themselves. A social worker can help seek job opportunities, basic accommodation, medical facilities etc. A big chunk of our society is dealing with domestic violence, substance abuse, physical abuse, mental harassment and child endangerment. A social worker serves to rehabilitate these individuals so they can live a better life away from the harm caused to them in the past.
2. HR Coordinator
Human resource, the word is indicative of dealing with the individuals in a company. From recruiting to salary, training to safety at the workplace, the HR coordinator is always interacting with people. A sociology degree helps in handling the dynamics in a workplace. From something as broad as team building to personal problems as sexual harassment, HR professionals need to have a broad understanding of human behaviour. It’s your job to interview the candidate and understand whether he suits the role you are offering.
3. Health worker
A big portion of our society is underprivileged. Basic amenities like a medical check-up or treatment is not easy for them to get. A health worker acts as a link between these people and the medical centres or hospitals. It could be connecting the public to necessary NGOs or hospitals or government organisations. A key aspect of this job is managing people and the different agencies you need to connect them with. You don’t need a medical degree but an understanding of the various medical conditions that people suffer from is essential.
4. Journalist
Another field of work you can join after studying sociology is journalism. Like sociology, journalism also touches upon various aspects of human behaviour. If writing interests you, it can be the right fit. You could conduct extensive research in the various socio-economic sections and write hard-hitting articles. Today’s newsmakers are people who bring a change in society, they are the real heroes. You can be the voice of those heroes and bring their stories to light. Commenting on the inequalities in our society and bringing those social affairs into the limelight is a step in the right direction to eliminating them.
5. School counsellor
Students need guidance to decide what courses to pick, what suits their abilities and academic achievements and pick the right colleges after finishing school. A school counsellor has many responsibilities, the main one is helping students with their college applications. In addition to that, the counsellor also plays the role of a confidante. If a student is facing issues in their homes, their class, among peers or with respect to their mental health, a counsellor can help them in finding the proper help. This role changes with the age group of children. For primary students, it’s about interacting with them and letting the parents know about their development and growth in class. For middle school, it’s about handling peer pressure and the increased load of studying and for high school, it’s mainly about plans after graduation.
6. Family counsellor
Sociologists make good counsellors. A family is a smaller part of society but consists of different individuals whose ideas and values might differ. You can offer practical help and emotional support depending on their situation. Their problems could be pure dysfunction or could be the lack of communication. When they come together for counselling, it could change their lives for the best. It begins with an assessment of the family and their needs which help determine the help that they might seek from you. Some might have a strained parent-child relationship, in that case, you need to identify if there are any underlying developmental issues or a history of abuse etc.
7. Market Researcher
Testing the products and services provided by a company to see how they would be adopted in the market is another job prospect after sociology. This is another area of work where social science plays a vital role. It analyses the data gathered via surveys and interviews to provide a viable solution to the problem. As a sociologist, you have insight on different issues like those based on gender, religion, age and financial backgrounds. This helps in breaking down the research findings and help with the assessment.
