Sociologist
A sociologist is a professional who studies human social behavior and the interactions within societies, focusing on various aspects such as race, gender, identity, poverty, and social structures. These experts can be categorized into two main types: academic sociologists, who primarily work in educational institutions and engage in teaching and research, and applied sociologists, who focus on solving real-world problems within organizations, governments, and communities. A typical sociologist conducts both quantitative and qualitative research, employing methods such as surveys, case studies, and participant observation to gather and analyze data.
To enter the field, individuals typically need a master's degree, with many pursuing further doctoral studies. Sociologists earn a median annual salary of approximately $101,770 and are often in demand, with employment outlook projected to grow faster than average. Their work environments can vary significantly; academic sociologists spend time in classrooms and libraries, while applied sociologists may engage directly with clients and stakeholders in governmental or social service settings. As they work with diverse populations, sociologists must demonstrate cultural sensitivity and a commitment to addressing social issues through their research and findings.
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Subject Terms
Sociologist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Human Services
Interests: Sociology, political science, behavioral science, statistics, research, race, gender, and identity
Earnings (Yearly Median): $101,770 per year $48.93 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 5% (Faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Master's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior, human association, and the results of social activities. Sociologists study society—a group of people living and interacting in a defined area, such as a country or other geographic region, and sharing a common culture. Academic sociologists develop general analytical tools to study the relationship between race, gender, and identity; urban issues such as poverty; marriage and family; social stratification and politics; work and organizations; and gender roles and relations. Applied sociologists study, analyze, and problem-solve industry, government, and family issues.
Work Environment. Sociologists in academic settings, such as colleges and universities, generally spend most of their time in classrooms, libraries, and offices. Department interaction and meetings will be frequent. Academic sociologists usually perform research, including library research and fieldwork, as a requirement of their employment and eventual tenure. Applied sociologists working in non-academic settings, such as government offices, social service agencies, research institutions, foundations, and hospitals, will interact with clients, patients, vendors, politicians, or community stakeholders. Applied sociologists work in full-time positions as well as contract positions.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to sociology are intellectually curious people who can gather information through research and synthesize their findings into ideas, theories, and, in some cases, solutions for social problems. Sociologists generally attend school through the master’s or doctoral levels. Due to the rigorous academic requirements of the profession, individuals considering becoming sociologists should enjoy academics, the thoughtful exchange of ideas, and problem-solving. Those who succeed in sociology display leadership, initiative, analytical thinking, scientific reasoning, project management, and concern for society.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. A sociologist’s occupational duties and responsibilities include research, data analysis, writing and publication, project development, grant writing, teaching, and departmental assignments. Quantitative and qualitative research methods used daily by sociologists to conduct research include mathematical measurement of relationships, descriptive statistics, self-administered questionnaires, survey sampling, case studies, and participant observation. A sociologist’s daily duties and responsibilities vary based on specialty and hiring organization.
Sociologists employed by colleges and universities generally have daily teaching responsibilities. Teaching responsibilities encompass lecture preparation, course development, test preparation, grading, and office hours. Department responsibilities and research and publishing obligations are also ever-present in the lives of academic sociologists. Academic sociologists tend to be independent workers with little direct daily supervision and oversight.
Applied sociologists work in institutional research and analysis, hospital and prison administration, social work, and mediation or dispute resolution. Daily responsibilities of applied sociologists may include providing services to needy or at-risk stakeholders, grant writing, policy analysis, or gathering and analyzing program data. Applied sociologists might work on government safety-net programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or may work for a public policy foundation that researches such programs. Sociologists working in the private sector or for government agencies tend to have more direct daily supervision and oversight than academic sociologists.
Industrial Sociologists (054.067-014). Industrial sociologists specialize in researching group relationships and processes in an industrial organization.
Penologists (054.067-014). Penologists specialize in the research of punishment for crime, control, and prevention of crime, management of penal institutions, and criminal rehabilitation.
Rural Sociologists (054.067-014). Rural sociologists specialize in research on more rustic, agricultural communities and special problems brought on by scientific and industrial changes in the rural way of life.
Urban Sociologists (054.067-014). Urban sociologists specialize in research on cities' origin, growth, structure, and demographic characteristics (population statistics).
Medical Sociologists (054.067-014). Medical sociologists specialize in researching social factors affecting healthcare, including patient and physician behavior and healthcare delivery.
Demographers (054.067-014). Demographers conduct research, surveys, and experiments to study human populations and population trends.
Social Ecologists (054.067-014). Social ecologists specialize in research on the interrelations between the environment and technology in the spatial distribution of people and their activities.
Social Problems Specialists (054.067-014). Social problems specialists specialize in research on social problems arising from individual or group deviation from commonly accepted standards of conduct, such as crime, delinquency, or racial discrimination.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Sociologists working in academic settings generally work full-time hours teaching and attending to departmental responsibilities such as grading and mentoring students. Fieldwork necessary for sociological research and performed as a condition of eventual tenure may take sociologists to foreign locations with significant cultural, language, and environmental differences and challenges. Applied sociologists working in non-academic settings, such as a government office, social service agency, foundation or policy institute, or hospital, generally work full-time hours.
Human Environment. Sociologists generally interact with diverse groups of people as a condition of their work. Academic sociologists must be comfortable interacting with students from diverse backgrounds. Applied sociologists might find themselves dealing with a wide range of people, including politicians, lobbyists, business owners, members of the public, and the people they serve. They should be prepared to address the cultural differences between themselves and the people they encounter during work, including different languages, beliefs, and values. This may require cultural sensitivity training, translation services, or other assistance or training.
Technological Environment. Sociologists use computers and internet communication tools during their academic training and eventual employment. Sociologists are usually required to become proficient with statistics and statistical analysis software (SAS) as a condition of graduation. Technological aptitude will be dependent on the field of work.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career in sociology should prepare themselves by developing good study habits and exposing themselves to a wide range of coursework. High school-level study of foreign languages, sociology, anthropology, history, geography, and political science will provide a strong foundation for college-level work in sociology. High school students interested in becoming sociologists will benefit from seeking internships or part-time jobs that expose the students to diverse social practices, cultures, languages, and belief systems.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in pursuing a career in sociology will benefit from completing coursework in foreign languages, sociology, anthropology, history, geography, political science, behavioral science, and statistics. Internships and part-time work can offer postsecondary students the opportunity to learn more about sociological practice prior to entering graduate school. Before graduation, postsecondary students interested in pursuing a career in sociology should apply to graduate school or pursue sociology-related work opportunities such as research assistants, social service workers, market analysts, or policy analysts.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 19-3041 Sociologists." US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes193041.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
"Sociologists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/sociologists.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.