Anyone know about "Sociology"?

[Postman]

My son is contemplating going back to the local community college to start down the path of earning a degree in Sociology.

Can anyone tell me what kind of job opportunities a Sociology degree gets you?

Thanks.

[NMDemDist2]

1. he'd better minor in Human Resources

http://www.jsu.edu/depart/soc/jobs_for_sociologists.html

[Haole Girl]

2. He should avoid Social Science degrees...

..IMHO...unless he intends to get at least a Masters. Otherwise, he will have a very difficult time finding employment. And, when/if he finds employment, he will more than likely have very low wages. Sorry if this sounds bitter and jaded. But, I'm speaking from personal experience(s).

[femmocrat]

6. I had a colleague whose daughter went to an expensive university for social work.

He used to "joke" that she was getting the most expensive education for the lowest-paying profession.

[SPKrazy]

10. and that depends where they go to work at too

working for the state or county or non- profits is usually with terrible pay

with an MSW one can do a lot of different things. No it isn't going to be a money making proposition necessarily, but I have managed to make a decent living with an MSW, and I know a few that have gone entrepreneurial with that background and done VERY well for themselves.

One can always find terrible job conditions regardless of their degree, but I don't think it is as bleak for social work as your friend made it out to be, of course, by their standards it might have seemed like very little? :shrug:

:hi:

[SPKrazy]

3. Depends what he wants to do with it.

By itself a degree, bachelors that is, in sociology is rather useless. Advanced degrees in sociology can lead to teaching, research, or even epidemiology with health departments.

Human service agencies often hire people to be case workers with a bachelors degree, but their pay is usually rather low and the responsibility (for kids lives) amazingly high for such low wages.

Some businesses will hire people with any kind of degree, and work with them from there.

Just a bachelors in sociology, i wouldn't recommend it unless they have plans to go further.

:shrug:

[hellbound-liberal]

4. Here is one of the best sites that provides information on careers

It provides just about anything that you need to know about a particular career. To find out about sociology as a field, go to "occupation profile" and type sociology into the search box. The site is pretty self-explanatory and user-friendly but if you would like some help navigating it, send me a PM. I once considered Sociology as a field too until I realized, as a previous poster has indicated, that a Bachelor's degree won't do much for you in this field. Check it out and let me know if you or your son could use any help.

http://www.careerinfonet.org/

[Gormy Cuss]

5. In addition to what other posters have noted,

a bachelors in sociology is a liberal arts degree and is therefore a good generalist degree for beginning in many careers. Sociology majors are required to do a fair amount of writing and often are required to analyze data, both good skills for entering the business world.

Good paying jobs in sociology are pretty much limited to MA and PhD holders. However, even at just a masters level there are a great many interesting and well paying jobs in applied social research. Many of the same places that would hire a graduate level researcher have entry level positions for those with a BA because taking a break of a year or two before starting a masters program is common.

[skygazer]

7. I was speaking with a lawyer the other day who earned her BA in sociology

Like the other posters, I'm not sure how useful it would be on its own but it can be stepping-stone to a more specialized field like law - when she said that, I could see how it could apply.

[steelemagnolia]

8. I took several Sociology classes in college

and loved them. I agree; there is a lot of writing and analytical thinking. We examined different societies/cultures and how people interacted with one another. This led me to take several psychology courses as well which I got a minor in. I would think it could lead to an interest in political science, as well as criminal justice. It's a fascinating field and I would think there are many job possibilities are out there for someone who gets a degree in Sociology. Best wishes to your son.

[Postman]

9. Thank you all for the help.

eom