Download Article: Sociology

Article: Sociology
Summary
'Sociology' looks at some of the jobs related to this subject that might interest you.
Introduction
Sociology is part of a group of subjects called 'social sciences'. The social sciences also include anthropology,
economics, politics and social psychology. These areas use scientific methods to try to describe and understand how
we live and work together.
Sociology is closely related to psychology. But while psychology focuses on individuals, sociology looks at people in
groups. A group could be as large as the population of the UK, or as small as a family.
Sociologists are interested in the customs, traditions, and social institutions that exist in different societies. Examples
of social institutions are: marriage, work, the family, schools, government, social class, and the legal system.
Sociologists use scientific methods to investigate social groups. Their methods include:
Document studies - using statistics and other published information.
Observation - observing the behaviour of groups of people, who are usually unaware that they are being observed.
Participant observation - where the sociologist becomes involved in the lives of the people concerned, eg, by
joining a club or gang.
Surveys - collecting information from people by questionnaires and/or interviews.
Experiments - eg, observing people's behaviour in carefully controlled conditions to establish cause-and-effect
relationships.
Sociology experiments can be difficult to perform because of the variety of different elements (eg, different
upbringings and beliefs) involved when looking at humans in groups.
Skills you will learn
By studying Sociology you will gain a wide range of skills and knowledge, including:
Reading statistics and understanding how they can be used.
Designing and carrying out social research experiments.
Understanding the pros and cons of different research methods.
Learning how institutions such as the family have developed, and how and why they are changing.
Learning how things like education and social class affect other aspects of our lives, eg, leisure activities.
Learning how societies develop and change over time.
Learning how an understanding of social influences, such as poverty, can help us understand and predict crime.
Many of the skills that come out of this - communication, analysis, report writing and so on - are transferable to a
wide range of careers.
You can study Sociology at GCSE, A level and degree level.
Careers using sociology
Sociology Teacher
You can study sociology at GCSE, AS, A level, degree and postgraduate level.
Teaching methods include group and project work, discussions and debates, and using audio-visual materials and the
internet. Sociology teachers might also take pupils on visits to places of educational interest.
Sociology teachers also have to plan lessons, mark work, write reports, go to meetings and give feedback.
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Sociology teachers mainly work in secondary schools, sixth form colleges and colleges of further education.
To become a secondary school sociology teacher, you'll need to follow a relevant degree with a PGCE in social
science.
Professional Sociologist/University Lecturer
Professional sociologists are concerned with understanding aspects of human behaviour and society. Their areas of
interest might range from football hooliganism to religious cults, from the changing nature of work to the effects of
living in cities.
Sociologists use methods such as observation and surveys to gather information and test out their theories. Then
they write up their findings in academic journals, magazines and books.
Few sociologists earn a living purely by research and writing. Most combine research with teaching sociology at a
university.
Professional sociologists/university lecturers need a degree and postgraduate qualifications.
Social Worker
Most work for local authority social services departments. Their work is wide-ranging, but focuses on looking after
the welfare of certain groups in their area. These include children and young people, people with physical disabilities
or mental health issues, older people and people who are chronically ill.
Many social workers visit clients in the community to offer advice, practical assistance and emotional support. They
help and support people who are vulnerable or at risk, or have social, financial or emotional problems.
Residential social workers help and support people who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to live on their own or
with their families.
To be a social worker you need to have a degree in social work. Residential social workers don't usually need to be
fully qualified social workers, but need to have relevant experience.
Probation Officer
Probation officers supervise criminal offenders before their trial, during their sentence and after their release. Their
main role is to protect the public by encouraging offenders to lead a law-abiding life.
Probation officers provide advice and information to the courts. This is usually in the form of a pre-sentence report,
giving information about the personal circumstances of the person found guilty, the likelihood of re-offending and (if
appropriate) the most suitable community (ie, non-prison) sentence.
Probation officers supervise offenders who are given community sentences. They also visit offenders while they are
in prison, helping them to prepare for their release, for example, by helping them to find employment or
accommodation.
To be a probation officer, you first need to be working for the probation service as a probation service officer. You
then take a degree in community justice as well as a diploma in probation practice.
Care Assistant - Children
Care assistants provide basic personal care and social care to children and young people in a variety of settings,
including special schools, day centres and residential care homes. They support children and young people with
everyday tasks, as well as encouraging their social and personal development.
Usually working in a team, assistants plan and supervise activities that encourage the children to develop new skills
and form relationships with each other.
Some care assistants work with children who have special needs, perhaps because of a physical or learning disability.
Depending on the age and abilities of the child, a care assistant may help them to wash, dress, go to the toilet, and
prepare or eat meals.
There is no formal academic entry requirement, but most entrants have relevant work experience (either on a paid or
voluntary basis) in a care environment.
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Human Resources (HR) Officer
HR officers help organisations to find and employ the right people and manage them effectively. They deal with
issues such as recruitment, training and development, employee relations, health and safety, rewards and benefits
programmes, organisational change and planning future recruitment needs.
Some HR officers have a general role, while others might specialise in one aspect of the work.
Many entrants have a degree. Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is usually
looked on as an asset in this competitive area.
Market Research Interviewer
Market research interviewers help to carry out surveys to collect facts or opinions. They find people who are willing to
take part in a particular study, perhaps by making phone calls, stopping people in the street or calling at people's
houses.
They ask these people some questions to check that they are suitable for the study. If so, they proceed with the
actual interview.
Market research interviewers have to follow a carefully controlled procedure with each person. They must avoid
doing or saying anything that could influence how the person responds to the questions.
Many market research interviewers work on a part-time or freelance basis.
There are no minimum entry requirements for this work, but you'll need a good standard of spoken and written
English, and interpersonal skills. The Market Research Society (MRS) accredits a number of market research agencies
to organise training for new entrants.
Market Research Executive
Market research executives plan and co-ordinate research to find out what people think about a wide range of
subjects.
For example, the research could be for a food company that wants to test the effects of a new advertising campaign,
or for a manufacturer to discover exactly how a product is used by its customers. Some work is done for national and
local government.
Market research executives work for specialist market research agencies, or for large firms that have their own
research teams. They must decide what methods will be most effective in any particular case, for example,
interviews, surveys or consumer panels. Some research might be done through social media.
They might also be involved in recruiting and training market research interviewers, and in analysing and presenting
the results of a study. They keep their clients up to date during each project.
Most market research executives hold a relevant degree in, for example, social sciences, business studies or
marketing.
Related Careers
Care Assistant - Children
Care Assistant - Older People
Market Research Executive
Human Resources Manager
Probation Officer
Field Social Worker
Residential Social Worker
Secondary Teacher
Employee Relations Adviser
Further Education (FE) Lecturer
Higher Education (HE) Lecturer
Market Research Interviewer
Political Researcher
Social Researcher
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Trade Union Officer
Probation Service Officer
Journalist
Politician
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