Is sociology a good degree?

Are you interested in the study of societies? Are you considering studying sociology but not sure what it can offer you?

In this article we are going to answer the question ‘’Is sociology a good degree?’’ Below we explain what sociology consists of, what skills you obtain and the main job opportunities in this profession.

Is sociology a good degree?

Sociology is a social science that deals with studying the human being in terms of its cultural-historical context, its relationships and its various social activities. For this reason, it analyzes artistic, economic, religious and diverse phenomena, based on contributions and knowledge from other social sciences.

To achieve this objective, you can study social groups from different communities, which you analyze both individually and collectively.

In a world evolving toward technology, training for a career in social studies can seem outdated. But in fact, the opposite is true.

The boom in STEM careers has promoted a new advance for the humanities and social sciences, which offer essential skills and knowledge to understand the human being. In the information society, Sociology is one of the most prominent disciplines in this regard.

Graduate profile

The sociologist is a professional who studies and analyzes social relations, the agency of actors, organizations, institutions and structures of society that are framed in processes of continuity and social change.

To do this, it identifies and uses appropriate qualitative and quantitative theoretical and methodological tools. In dialogue with other disciplines, it contributes to the understanding of society’s problems and participates in the debate and proposal of solutions.

The sociology graduate will have the following competencies:

Critical analysis

Analyzes social problems from the identification and delimitation of the field of study to understand social action, social relations, institutions and social structures, as well as their transformations in a critical way.

On the basis of the theoretical tools of the discipline, it formulates questions and proposes hypotheses that question common sense and interpretations about social phenomena.

Research skills

Investigates social problems identifying qualitative and quantitative theoretical and methodological approaches, as well as the appropriate tools and techniques, in order to contribute to the generation of knowledge and decision-making. For this purpose, it collects, systematizes and analyzes primary and / or secondary information.

Social intervention

Applies the approaches and tools associated with the design, planning, monitoring and evaluation of social intervention policies, programs and projects in diverse socio-organizational contexts and contributes to the elaboration of recommendations and proposals.

Teamwork skills

Work as a team cooperating in the organization and assignment of responsibilities, as well as in the execution of the necessary tasks to achieve the proposed objectives and goals. It shows the capacity for dialogue, tolerance, respect and autonomy in the different teams where it participates.

Effective communication

Effective communicates proposals, knowledge and information, orally and in writing, to different audiences and in different contexts. He listens and attends to criticism and comments, incorporating the pertinent suggestions in the proposals, interventions or documents that he prepares.

Ethics

Acts with ethical responsibility in the exercise of their profession and their academic work, and develops appropriate strategies to identify ethical dilemmas, within the framework of respect for freedom, security and fundamental rights of people. 

Likewise, as a citizen, act in a responsible manner, recognizing and respecting the diversity, autonomy and dignity of others.

Career options

Those who study Sociology can get to work in different sectors and jobs. A Bachelor’s degree in Sociology can lead to extensive job prospects in all of the following areas:

Business

Management consultants are independent professionals who identify and analyze their clients’ business problems. They also advise managers on ways to improve the efficiency and profitability of their business, and how to adapt to change.

But it helps you to switch between industries with transferable analytical skills, creating comparisons between the various circumstances you’ve learned and spotting trends. So sociology is extremely good for a business profession, potentially better in practice than business studies.

Marketing

Sociology and marketing, allows you to have the idea of thinking, and preferences of your target audience applying the strategies successfully.

On the other hand, essays on sociology have established excellent examples and samples, to give an idea of a specific culture or societies, in turn, helping organizations to build solid promotional strategies.

The basic idea of going through a trial of this type is to understand, the wishes of the masses, and then present the tactics and call-to-action announcements accordingly.

Journalism

Yes you will write a lot, but based on many analyzes and reflections. Rehearsals will be one of your main tasks. You also have to read and study a lot, it is a science that studies man and how we relate to each other in the world.

As someone who would like to specialize in writing on social issues, social reform and so on, you might also bundle yourself. So you should consider a master’s degree in journalism, but also practice writing. It is a specialist profession. Get a blog and write about anything on a daily basis so that you develop the habit.

Social work

Social work is a profession that seeks to promote the development of healthy human bonds and promote social changes that result in greater well-being for people. Social workers, in this way, act on certain factors related to the interactions of individuals with the environment.

It can be said, therefore, that social work is oriented to the relationships that subjects maintain with their environments. The purpose of this profession is that each human being can develop fully: by extension, social work achieves changes in communities.

Why study Sociology?

Already in the new millennium, we are faced with an increasingly complex and changing social environment, which is why the role of the sociologist seems to be increasingly fundamental to, through conceptual tools, methods and techniques, offer understanding and interpretation of what actually happens in the social context.

Due to its importance in the historical development of humanity, we share with you these reasons for studying sociology:

You will be able to collaborate in the improvement of society

If you decide to study this career you will be able to collaborate in the improvement of the society in which you find yourself inserted or in which you decide to take an active part with your research.

Sociology allows you to question the structures of thought and action of societies, as well as to rethink the commonly accepted “truths”, so that through research you can create great contributions directed to the social environment, as well as take a more active role in the creation, participation, in the promotion and management of social groups.

You can understand and compare different societies and cultures

Through sociology you can understand and compare different societies and cultures. This means that you will not only be able to analyze the country you are in, but also have contact with other traditions and cultures with data of interest for analysis.

This, because in general sociology questions accepted truths and requires a critical and rational study of the events that occur. So to really understand a social phenomenon, we have to start from a scientific point of view that does not necessarily limit us to our geographic space.

Globally understand History and understand the processes

Studying sociology allows you to understand History globally and understand the processes that societies have gone through. In this way, the sociologist can note the complexity of social problems, while at the same time being able to link them with others, either in space (other countries, other cultures) or time (other historical moments).

Thus, it manages to discern the similarities and differences between one society and another, since it has an important historical domain.

Sociologists today are considered key players

The field of work is wide and you can choose the option that best suits you. The scientific and critical vision of sociology allows sociologists to serve professionally in multiple organizations to improve their functioning.

Sociologists today are considered key actors and have wide recognition and prestige by different organizations such as companies, government, foundations, the entertainment industry, among others, who consider sociology as an essential tool to enrich their work.

At the same time, the sociologist has the possibility of enriching his training through transdisciplinary studies, which allow him to connect with other disciplines and further broaden his horizon of possibilities.

So, is sociology a good degree?

The Sociology career trains professionals capable of interpreting the phenomena of society, designing action strategies and carrying out social policies that benefit citizens.

The study of Sociology allows to investigate and analyze society from a cultural, economic and political perspective in a historical context.

The graduate investigates current trends to plan and implement modifications in public or private sectors, study how power groups and the State are related in the international relations of their country.

Sociology aims to understand that people act largely according to the needs of the community in which they are, being social interaction the link between the facts and the history of a society.

The Sociologist uses interview techniques to obtain information, analyzes and draws conclusions, participates in academic research, implements urban programs in all sectors of the population, has statistical knowledge to evaluate the data collected and seeks to generate constant changes in various areas of the society.

The Sociologist can work in public or private organizations in matters of health, social and educational services as well as aspects related to justice, in consultancies, in human resources or international relations departments, in universities and in non-governmental organizations.

FAQS: Is sociology a good degree?

Is a degree in sociology worth it?

A bachelor’s degree in sociology isn’t worth a lot. You may get into business or census studies, human resource management and public policy with a sociology degree in the job market outside of academia.

What can I do with a bachelor’s degree in sociology?

Majors in this area will also continue to pursue careers in social work, law, market research, psychology, public relations, polling, media strategy, and other fields with further study beyond a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

What is the highest paying job with a sociology degree?

• Human Resources Manager.
• Project Manager.
• Public Relations Specialist.

Is sociology a bad major?

Many individuals pursuing degrees in sociology to do a white range of jobs will make you practically un-hirable by this degree. And the gross salary is about $32,000 annually.

What is the most useless degree?

These are the 3 most useless degrees in the world.

• Culinary arts. 
• Fashion design. 
• Art history.

In this article we answered the question ‘’Is sociology a good degree?’’ Below we explained what sociology consists of, what skills you obtain and the main job opportunities in this profession.

If you have any questions or comments please let us know!

References

Sprague, J. (2008). Sociology: The good, the bad, and the public. Gender & Society, 22(6), 697-704.

White, A. (2012, March 20). Career options for sociology graduates: top 10 tips. Retrieved November 17, 2020, from the Guardian website: https://www.theguardian.com/careers/sociology-degree-career-choices

‌What can you do with a sociology degree? (2019, November 12). Retrieved November 17, 2020, from Times Higher Education (THE) website: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/subjects/what-can-you-do-sociology-degree

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