When most people think of a career in sociology, they think of working as a professor or researcher in a university setting. While this is certainly one option, there are many other career paths for sociologists to explore. The field of sociology offers opportunities for work in various industries and settings. One such career path is that of the sociologist analyst. This article will define the sociologist analyst career path, outline some of the skills necessary to succeed in this role, and give an example of how you can use your sociology degree to become a sociologist analyst.
1. What Is a Sociologist Analyst?
The sociologist analyst is a relatively new position in the current job market. As sociology has evolved, so have the skills required to succeed as a sociologist. An essential skill of many successful sociologists is that of analysis, which means being able to identify patterns within data sets and trends within that data. While some might consider this the same thing as analysis, it is much more. The sociologist will look at past patterns and future projections to accurately predict what may happen in certain situations based on our current understanding of sociology theory.
For example, an analyst might use a variety of data sets to identify the underlying reasons for concern about a social issue. They might use census data to show how the population is changing, American Community Survey data to identify trends in income levels of a particular group of people, and perhaps even patent applications to determine the growth of a specific industry.
As a sociologist analyst, you would be using your understanding of sociology theory not only to interpret this information but also to predict what the results of specific actions might be.
2. What Does a Sociologist Analyst Do?
In this role, you will use a variety of data sets to identify trends and patterns. You may use survey results, census data, patent applications, economic indicators, etc., to accurately predict the effects of specific policies or actions on a social issue. You may even create simulation models to determine how one change might affect other things in society as a whole.
The data you generate will not only be helpful for industry professionals who are making decisions and for academics working within the field of sociology. This kind of research is valuable to other sociologists because it brings together aspects of social theory with actual life application, which can inform future actions and theories in this ever-evolving field.
3. How to Become a Sociologist Analyst?
The first step to becoming a sociologist analyst is earning an education that demonstrates your expertise in sociology. At the bachelor’s level, this should include taking courses that focus specifically on sociology and data collection methods. If you plan to continue your studies and pursue a master’s degree or doctorate instead, you will need to take classes specific to this degree level.
The next step is to acquire the skills that you will need for work as a sociologist analyst. You can get started by gaining some practical experience in sociology, such as by working part-time or volunteering with different organizations that deal with social issues. This can also help you decide whether this career is right for you. Once you decide to become a sociologist analyst, it will be essential to gain formal training in data analysis and statistics by completing an online program or earning your degree at a college or university.
The last step is finding employment with one of the top recruiting agencies offering sociologist analyst jobs today.
4. What Skills Does a Sociologist Need?
Some of the skills you need to become a sociologist analyst include
-Strong quantitative skills. You will need to be able to work with numbers and words, and you will frequently be required to use statistical software such as SPSS, R, or SAS.
-Good communication skills. As a sociologist analyst, your primary goal is not only to generate valuable data but also to communicate those findings in a way that is easy to understand. This means you may be required to give presentations or write reports for your findings.
-Business acumen. You will need to know what kinds of information are valuable in the business world and when to collect certain data sets. This will help you identify which data sets are needed most in different situations.
-Knowledge of social theory. You will be using this knowledge to help you interpret the data you collect and to create simulation models based on this information. You will need a deep understanding of how certain aspects of social work make accurate predictions about the data you are given.
-Ability to think critically. In addition to collecting and interpreting data, you will be required to look at what kinds of policies or actions might affect social change. This means creating simulation models based on your knowledge of social theory. This will require you to think outside the box and develop scenarios that may not have been considered before.
-As a sociologist analyst, you should also understand how different types of analysis can help your team make better decisions and what information is helpful in which situations.
5. Where Does a Sociologist Analyst Work?
A sociologist analyst can be employed in a variety of different settings, including
–Academia. As a member of an academic team, your job may include teaching and researching, and writing. You will not only have to generate data but also communicate that information to share your findings with other researchers.
-Government agencies. As a government employee, you may be involved in various tasks, depending on the agency you work for and the projects you are working on. This might include creating data reports to send out to other members of your team or even working with representatives from other countries who need assistance interpreting data.
-Nonprofits and NPOs. Suppose you work for a nonprofit organization or a nonprofit. In that case, you will need to communicate the value of your research in terms that are easily understood by donors and board members. You may also need to generate data about how specific projects or policies have affected the communities they have been implemented in.
-The private sector. If you work for a private company, your job may be focused on specific projects that help the organization make better business decisions. Some examples of this might include doing demographic research to examine how changes in culture or population demographics affect sales and making predictions about future sales projections based on this data.
6. What Does a Sociologist Analyst Earn?
The average salary for a sociologist analyst is around $74,000 per year. The highest paying employers of sociologist analysts are in management, scientific research and development services, state government, computer systems design companies, and software publishers. A sociology degree can be beneficial in all of these fields not only because you will understand the culture and demographics of your customers but also because you will be able to explain how these factors affect their purchasing decisions.
7. What Is the Job Outlook for a Sociologist Analyst?
According to the BLS, there are currently around 10,000 sociologist analysts employed in the United States, and that number is expected to increase by 7% through 2020. This growth is mainly due to an increasing need for business data and more accessible technology to store and analyze this information. Because of the growing demand for data analysis at all levels of business, you should expect to see an increasing number of jobs available for sociologist analysts.
As the role of the sociologist analyst continues to grow, there will also be an increased need for workers with expertise in how different cultures and demographics affect businesses’ decisions about where to open new branches or stores. This means that you will encounter more job opportunities as the demand for this type of information soars.
8. What Does a Typical Day Look Like for a Sociologist Analyst?
A sociologist analyst is responsible for researching and analyzing data to predict how people think, act, and behave. Some of the things you might be responsible for include:
Examining different research studies to help guide your thinking about what questions are worth asking or which factors may impact certain decisions.
Performing research that involves accessing and interpreting data sets, such as census reports or business data. You may need to look for patterns within these data sets or use them to predict people’s behavior.
Speaking with other members of your team and collecting information from various sources to understand how people think and behave.
Communicate your findings to other members of your team, such as by creating data reports or PowerPoint presentations.
Assisting employees from other countries who need help understanding the data you have found and how it applies to their country.
9. What Are Some Top Recruiting Companies for a Sociologist Analyst?
Some top recruiting agencies for sociologist analysts include
- Census Bureau
- IBM Global Business Services
- PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- Deloitte Consulting, LLP
10. What Are Some Different Sociology Degrees?
For students who want to learn how to research and collect data about people’s behavior, there are many different types of sociology degrees available.
Associate’s degree in sociology: If you want to prepare for a career as a sociologist analyst, an associate’s degree is an excellent entry-level option that may help you develop some of the skills that are most important for this type of position, such as computer literacy and basic research skills.
Bachelor’s degree in sociology: If you are interested in statistics or want to learn how to collect research that can be used to make predictions about people’s behavior, a bachelor’s degree is the best option. This type of degree will give you a comprehensive understanding of how sociology works and put you on the path towards becoming an expert in this field.
Master’s degree in sociology: If you want to specialize your skills as a sociologist analyst, there are many different types of master’s degrees available that focus specifically on data collection or research methods.
Doctoral degree in sociology: If you want to become a professor and teach about how society works, a doctoral degree is necessary to demonstrate your knowledge of this subject. A doctoral program also provides the opportunity for advanced study and research so that you can become an expert on collecting sociological data or predicting societal trends.
11. Best Colleges to Study Sociology
Some top colleges for sociology degrees include
- The Ohio State University
- The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Indiana University–Bloomington
- Stony Brook University (SUNY)
12. Online Courses to Study Sociology Analysis
If you want to develop the skills necessary for a career as a sociologist analyst or if you want to learn more about this field before deciding on your future educational goals, there are many online courses available that can help provide you with some of these essential skills.
Sociology: Understanding our Society and Culture by Udemy- This course is designed to teach you everything you need to know about the world of sociology, including causes and effects, analyzing society, social forces at work, religion in modern culture, globalization, and postmodernism.
Introduction to Sociology by Udemy- In this course, you will learn to define sociology, explore how it is a study of human society and culture, discover the vital sociological concepts at play in modern life and see an example of sociological analysis.
Classical Sociological Theory by Coursera- This course is designed to introduce you to the ideas and debates that have shaped our thinking about society, such as Marx and Weber.
Fundamentals of Sociology by Edx- This sociological course will help you understand human behavior and social interaction, as well as how to use this information to manage everyday life better.
Conclusion
So far, we’ve looked at the different career paths for sociologists and how to become a sociologist. We’ve also discussed what skills and knowledge are needed to succeed in each of these careers. The bottom line is that there are many options for sociologists once they have their degrees. They can work in research, teaching, government, business, or nonprofit organizations. No matter which path they choose, sociologists bring valuable skills and insights to their jobs.
