- Sociologists and political scientists study all aspects of human society and political systems—from social behavior and the origin of social groups to the origin, development, and operation of political systems.
- Their research provides insights into different ways individuals, groups, and governments make decisions, exercise power, and respond to change.
- Through their studies and analyses, sociologists and political scientists suggest solutions to social, business, personal, and governmental problems.
- Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups, cultures, organizations, and social institutions people form.
- They also study the activities in which people participate, including activities conducted in social, religious, political, economic, and business organizations.
- They study the behavior of, and interaction among, groups, organizations, institutions, and nations, and how they react to phenomena such as the spread of technology, crime, social movements, and epidemics of illness. They also trace the origin and growth of these groups and interactions.
- Sociologists analyze how social influences affect different individuals and groups, and the ways organizations and institutions affect the daily lives of those same people.
- To analyze these social patterns, sociologists usually begin by designing research projects that incorporate a variety of methods, including historical analysis, comparative analysis, and quantitative and qualitative techniques.
- Through this process of applied research, they construct theories and produce information that attempts to explain certain social trends or that will enable people to make better decisions or manage their affairs more effectively.
- The results of sociological research aid educators, lawmakers, administrators, and others who are interested in resolving social problems and formulating public policy.
- Most sociologists work in one or more specialties, such as social organization, stratification, and mobility; racial and ethnic relations; education; the family; social psychology; urban, rural, political, and comparative sociology; gender relations; demography; gerontology; criminology; and sociological practice.
- Political scientists conduct research on a wide range of subjects, such as relations between the United States and other countries, the institutions and political life of nations, the politics of small towns or major metropolises, and the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Studying and evaluating topics such as public opinion, political decision-making, ideology, and public policy, they analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various other entities.
- Depending on the topic, a political scientist might analyze a public-opinion survey, study election results or public documents, or interview public officials.
- Occasionally, they may collaborate with government economists to assess the effects of specific changes in legislation or public policy, such as the effects of the deregulation of industries or of changes in Social Security.
- Through academic publications, written reports, or public presentations, political scientists present their research reports and often identify new issues for research and analysis.
- Many political scientists forecast political, social, and economic trends.
- Political scientists frequently work as policy analysts for government or in labor, political, or professional organizations, some of which are non-profit. These workers gather and analyze information to assist in the planning, development, review, and interpretation of government or industrial policies.
- They use the results of their research to raise public awareness of social issues, such as crime prevention, access to healthcare, and protection of the environment, hoping to influence government action.
- Job opportunities should be best for jobseekers with a master’s or PhD degree in a social science and with strong quantitative skills.
- Sociologists will experience much faster job growth because the incorporation of sociology into research in other fields continues to increase.
- Sociologists possess broad training and education in analytical, methodological, conceptual, and quantitative and qualitative analysis and research, so their skills can be applied to many different occupations.
- As a result, many workers with sociology backgrounds will find work in niche areas with specialized titles, such as market analyst, research assistant, writer, and policy analyst.
- Some sociologists may find work conducting policy research for consulting firms, and their knowledge of society and social behavior may be used as well by a variety of companies in product development, marketing, and advertising.
- Demand for sociologists also will stem from growth in the number of social, political, and business associations and organizations, including many non-profit organizations, to conduct various evaluations and statistical work.
- Political scientists will use their knowledge of political institutions to further the interests of non-profit, political lobbying, and social and civic organizations.
- As a growing population exerts excess demand on certain public services, political scientists will be needed to analyze the effects and efficiencies of those services, as well as to offer solutions.
- People seeking sociologist and political scientist positions may face competition for jobs, and those with higher educational attainment will have the best prospects.
- Jobs in policy, research, or marketing, for which bachelor’s degree holders qualify, are not advertised exclusively as sociologist or political scientist positions.
- Because of the wide range of skills and knowledge possessed by these workers, many compete for jobs with other workers, such as anthropologists and archaeologists, geographers, historians, market and survey researchers, psychologists, engineers, and statisticians.
- Some people with a Ph.D. degree in sociology will find opportunities as university faculty rather than as applied sociologists.
- Although there will be competition for tenured positions, the number of faculty expected to retire over the decade and the increasing number of part-time or short-term faculty positions will lead to better opportunities in colleges and universities than in the past.
- The growing importance and popularity of social science subjects in secondary schools also is strengthening the demand for social science teachers at that level.
- People who have a master’s or Ph.D. degree in political science, who are skilled in quantitative and qualitative techniques, and who also have specialized skills should have the best opportunities.
The duties and training of sociologists are similar to those of other social scientists, including Economists; Psychologists; Social scientists; Urban and regional planners.
Many sociologists conduct surveys, study social problems, teach, and work in museums, performing tasks similar to those of Archivists, curators, and museum technicians; Counsellors; Social workers; Statisticians; Teachers
Political scientists often research the legal system and analyze current events, as do Judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers; Lawyers; News Analysts, reporters and correspondents; Paralegals and legal assistants.
- BA in Sociology for entry level
- BA in Political Science for entry level
- Masters degree in applied sciences for most administrative and research positions
- Ph.D. degree for college and university teaching positions
This career information is drawn from data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.