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Sociology

Social manoeuvring

There are many social problems in India today — female infanticide, violence against women, child marriage, caste, health and sanitation problems and many others that need to be tackled if we are to develop as a country.

Social manoeuvring


Usha Albuquerque

There are many social problems in India today — female infanticide, violence against women, child marriage, caste, health and sanitation problems and many others that need to be tackled if we are to develop as a country. The study of sociology helps us understand these issues and the influences that have shaped our behaviour and beliefs through the centuries. It is a fascinating subject that covers the study of human behaviour and our relationship with others within an organisational or social structure and community. Human behaviour is complex and greatly influenced and governed by social, religious, and legal guidelines. 

Sociology studies the tangible measures of human behaviour such as class or social status, social movements, criminal deviance, and even revolution. It is a broad science that covers all aspects of human experience and activity; how human beings gather together in groups, organisations, and societies is also studied, and the knowledge integrated from a variety of social disciplines, including history, economics, psychology, political science and anthropology. It is, therefore, an ideal subject for students who are interested in a wide variety of subjects and academic fields, including social sciences such as anthropology, archeology, and linguistics. 

Study of sociology gives you knowledge of the subject as well as helps develop a range of transferrable skills, and so can open up many doors in the professional arena from government to private jobs. The most common jobs held by sociologists are those of educators or teachers, researchers, administrators, consultants and counsellors. 

Study options

You can take up sociology as a subject at all levels. After Plus II with any subject stream you can take up a degree in sociology, or specialise in sociology at the master’s level. As sociology-related careers are so diverse, it is advisable to think about one’s ultimate career goals before enrolling for a degree programme. 

The bachelor’s degree in sociology covers subjects such as principles of sociology, social problems, statistical analysis, race and ethnicity, social deviance, social theory, sociology of business, politics, education, urban sociology, and social psychology.  

The master’s degree courses tend to focus on technical skills in research and analytical training, and can include specialisations such as criminology, demography, cultural traditions, family relations, gerontology, social welfare, race relations, social status, and social change.

Job prospects 

After graduation in sociology, a student can choose courses leading to jobs that are directly related to the degree, or even move into fields where a sociology degree is not essential but require some of the  transferrable skills developed through the study of sociology, including business, consulting, communication,  law and communication.

  • Law: human rights & international law
  • Market research: qualitative research
  • Development studies
  • Public policy/ administration
  • Public health and welfare organisations
  • International welfare organisations 
  • Corporate communications
  • Civil Services
  • Journalism
  • Marketing: Consumer behaviour

After a bachelor’s degree  one can explore options in business, education, law, social research, communications, as well as social work and public administration, with a post-graduate degree or diploma in any of these fields of study. The study of sociology inculcates a critical way of thinking, an analytical way of solving problems and superior communication skills, best suited for jobs, which involve interaction with other people. 

  • Business and management : Those with a flair in business can opt for careers in marketing, data analysis, Human resource management, public relations, business consultancy and real estate. You can also get into business management with an MBA after a degree in sociology working in specializations like marketing or human resource management. 
  • Market research: Sociology is a good subject for careers in market research organisations, researching  consumer trends and working  with market researchers to discover new opportunities to meet the public's needs. Sociologists can get into qualitative market research which deals with motivations and reasons behind people buying or not buying a product or service. By reviewing market research data and understanding historic trends, sociologists can anticipate challenges when rolling out new products or building infrastructure.
  • Law: A degree in sociology can provide valuable inputs in law making and enforcement, judicial matters, criminal and civil investigation and probation and parole administration. A background in sociology is particularly useful when specialising in human rights law and international law.
  • Mass communication: Sociologists can be successful content writers, journalists and authors and can have a flourishing career in media both print and digital. Sociology is a very discursive subject, where you would be used to writing about a subject, researching the background as also commenting on social affairs, social change and so on. Journalists with a background in sociology are valued for their ability to provide a sociological understanding of subjects in a journalistic story. With a degree or diploma in mass communication after graduation in sociology, you can also find  a job as public relations or corporate communications officer for any company, international organization or major corporation.  
  • People like economists, political scientists, anthropologists, psychologists and social workers also need to work with sociologists for a deeper understanding of various social and economic issues.  
  • Government service: A degree in sociology can prepare you for a career in the civil services, and other state, and central government planning and administration jobs and public agencies that administer human services. Sociologists also play an important role in development organisations for examining major development projects and the social and economic effects on the local community. 
  • Counselors and therapists also study sociology in order to better understand some of the larger trends they see among patients and can focus on critical needs in the communities they work with.

With a master’s degree iyou can work with research institutes, the criminal justice system, public health and welfare organisations, social service agencies, non-profit organisations, government and international agencies, educational institutions, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and correctional institutions. 


Specialisations

Among the specialties within sociology are criminology, demography, cultural traditions, family relations, gerontology and  social welfare. 

Where to work

Depending on the specialisation taken at the master’s level jobs can range from that of research assistant, survey researchers, gerontologists, statisticians, urban planners, community developers, social welfare,  criminologists, or demographers. 

In the field of social work and with NGOs, sociologists also work with government agencies, the police department and correction and rehabilitation centres. After a master’s degree in social work you can work with detectives and law enforcement officials to anticipate and prevent criminal behaviour.  

Institutions that have projects running in the rural areas and NGOs that deal in childcare, women health and safety, family planning, substance abuse, environmental protection and regeneration, rural development and rural employment generation also employ sociologists with an advanced degree in sociology.

With at least five years experience sociologists can also join international organisations, or take on international assignments. 

The best way to increase your marketability is to take your studies seriously and hone the skills the course helps you develop,  look for internships or work experience.

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