Sociology
also studies the ways in which people give meaning to
their experience. All human behavior is social.
The subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate
family to the hostile mob, from crime to religion, from
divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared
beliefs of a common culture, from the sociology of work
to the sociology of sport. Few fields have such broad
scope and relevance. Because sociology seems to offer
something for everyone, it may seem surprising that
its career potential is just beginning to be tapped.
Thirty years
ago, there was really only one visibly prominent career
in sociology. To be a sociologist was to be a professor,
or at least a teacher of some sort. Although teaching
remains the dominant activity among the more than eighteen
thousand professional sociologists today, other forms
of employment are growing in both numbers and significance.
Not all of these jobs are reserved exclusively for sociologists.
In some sectors, sociologists are joined by economists,
social workers, psychologists and others. All of this
represents a growing appreciation of sociology's real
and potential contributions.
While the
subject matter of sociology holds considerable interest
for its own sake, it also offers valuable preparation
for other sorts of careers. Sociology is a popular major
for students planning futures in professions such as
law, business, education, architecture, and even medicine
-- not to mention social work, politics, and public
administration. Sociology provides a rich fund of knowledge
directly concerning each of these fields. Students can
link sociology with each of these fields either with
a double major or a sociology major and a supporting
area in a specialty related to one's intended profession
(in such fields as criminal justice, direct human services,
planning, or health) organized as part of a sociology
major. Sociology also provides many distinctive ways
of looking at the world so as to generate new ideas
and assess the old. Finally, sociology offers a range
of research techniques which can be applied in many
specific arenas -- whether one's concern is with crime
and criminal justice, client satisfaction with a business
firm, the provision of medical care, poverty and welfare,
or the problems of peace and war.
Read the American Sociological
Association's Report: "WHAT CAN I DO WITH A BACHELOR'S
DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY?"
(pdf)
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Given the
breadth, adaptability, and utility of sociology, there
are a wide range of employment opportunities for B.A.
graduates. One can obtain entry-level positions in many
of the areas previously mentioned in defining the scope
of sociology. In fact, the range is so broad that the
following list is only suggestive. There is a significant
number of opportunities in the field of corrections
-- in probation, parole, or other criminal justice work;
in health and the social services -- rehabilitation,
case management, group work with youth or the elderly,
recreation, or administration; community work -- in
fund-raising, social service organizations or in childcare
agencies. In business, one can move into advertising,
marketing and consumer research, insurance, real estate,
personnel work or training. In college settings, one
could work in admissions, alumni relations, or placement.
There are employment opportunities in the areas of family
planning, substance abuse, and youth or rehabilitation
counseling. Publishing, computing, and public relations
are also possible fields. There are a variety of federal,
state, and local government jobs in such areas as transportation,
housing, agriculture and labor.
Career
information from the American
Sociological Association
is available in the Undergraduate Office. The Career
Center (Third Floor Hornbake Library: 301-314-7234)
is a good source of information for more specific employment
opportunities available to sociology majors.
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This course focuses on students'
interests and professional opportunities in the field
of sociology. Topics include: Career resources at UMCP;
career opportunities for sociology majors; selecting
and applying to graduate and professional programs.
IMPORTANT:
SOCY 398C IS OFFERED ONLY IN THE SPRING SEMESTER. OPEN
TO STUDENTS WITH AT LEAST 56 CREDIT HOURS.
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