speechfan222

Does anyone have any suggestions for me? My Master degree will be arriving in the mail sometime this week and I don't even want to see it. I'm so bummed and depressed about companies not calling me. I don't have research experience, but it's hard to gain experience without having any experience. I'm continually looking for research opportunities at a local university. Maybe I'll get lucky with one of those positions. Any suggestions or tips are appreciated.....

Does anyone else have any tips or suggestions for me? I have graduated and now have my Masters degree in Sociology. I completed my degree through an online program and did not complete the research experience I should have. I am looking for many research opportunities, but it's difficult since I don't have experience. It's hard to get experience without having any experience. I have submitted close to 20 applications already and haven't received any calls. I will follow up with companies, but I'm getting worried. Please help!!!!

I'm travelling to a conference on Monday morning and still don't know what I want to wear yet. Ahhhh! I need to figure out two Secret Santa gifts - One for a coworker and one for a supervisor of the building. I have NO idea what to get for either of them. I knew I shouldn't have agreed to participate. I'm the worst with gift ideas and gift giving. Ahhhhhh!!

I'm assuming it is acceptable to take notes from the various guest speakers. Is it appropriate to record the lectures/presentations as well? Should I take full advantage of all networking events? There is a networking event/mixer at the end of the conference on the first day. I think it would be interesting to mingle with others and talk to them about the same 'nerdy' stuff we're all interested in. I'm just somewhat worried about going to dinner with some of them on other days. I know it would be a good learning experience to talk with others, but I feel somewhat hesitant about going out to eat with people I hardly know. FYI: I am a female and am still deciding what to wear to the conference. It's a casual dress code, but I'm going to dress a little more 'dressy' than jeans and a nice shirt. I may wear a dark pair of jeans one day, but still need ideas for the other days. Any suggestions? Any other tips or suggestions for me?

Thanks for this information. While I'm not a fan of oatmeal, I will definitely consider this. That's a good idea. I was also thinking about bring plenty of water with me. Placing a few bottles in the fridge and grabbing them as I go. Now, the ironing board idea to make a grilled cheese sandwich is pretty genius. I never thought of this before. Thanks for the good idea!

I also found out that breakfast, snacks, and a buffet lunch will be provided each day of the conference. Those attending are responsible for their own meals for dinner. Since I'm going alone, I don't plan to go to restaurants every night for dinner. I also want to save money and not spend too much eating out. I will have a refrigerator in my hotel room. I'm debating about grabbing a few things from a grocery store and keeping them in my fridge. I won't consider anything that needs to be heated or cooked on a stove top. Can anyone recommend easy meals or snacks to eat in a hotel room? Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks @MarineBluePsy! This is very helpful. I definitely may consider some boots. I've been wanting a good pair and if I can find some that fit comfortably, I will buy them. I will check and see if the conference will be publishing the abstracts/powerpoint and other information from the conference. I sure hope so. That's a good idea.... Also, the conference details say it will provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the day. I don't have any business cards, but can think about that before I go. Thanks for everything!

This is a good point, thanks! This conference is open to students of the university. Alot of the students, including myself, are online students, so there will probably be students travelling from different areas. It won't be people I will work with in the future or will probably ever see again, but it will be a great experience. Thanks again!

I'm attending a research conference next week and I really don't know what to wear. It's a casual dress conference, but I don't want to worry about being too under or overdressed. Also, I don't what shoes to wear either. I'm used to always wearing flip flops, but I know I can't wear those. Ahhhh. Decisions, decisions.

Thanks for this information @Hk328. I am a female (forgot to mention that, whoops) and I will make sure not to wear flip flops. I have wide feet, so finding shoes is tough and I'm not sure ballet flats will work. I'm going to see what I can find. I'm going to wear nicer jeans, nice shirts, and some type of dressier shoes. I didn't even think about the loud clicking sounds on my laptop as I take notes. That's a good point. I'll probably bring a notebook and take some handwritten notes. Any other tips?

Hey everyone, I will be attending a week-long research conference (by myself) on a university campus next week and I need a few tips. I received a schedule of events and it looks like I will be finished around 5pm each day. Other than walking around the campus or hanging out at my hotel, does anyone have any other suggestions of 'things to do' after it's over each day? I normally wear comfortable athletic shoes while at work throughout the week and wear flip flop or sandals on the weekends. This conference has a casual dress code, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what to wear. Should I wear nice pairs of jeans, nice shirts, and my flip flops? I'm looking for other footwear options and am not really sure what else to wear. I will be in Arizona, so it's not snowing, but it will be a bit chilly. The conference will include guest speakers. I will have my laptop with me as I need to bring it for some research group work. What is the best way to take notes from speakers and other information within the conference? Should I type out notes on my laptop? I think these are all of the questions I have for now. Any other tips or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

I just checked this website. It seems like an interesting opportunity, but nothing available where I currently live. I understand I may need to move if I plan to obtain a position with a large company. I'm looking for opportunities for now. Any other suggestions? I'm trying to ask as many people as I can as I'm unfamiliar with opportunities.

Thanks for this information. It's definitely helpful. I would be interested in research within a hospital. I did a quick search just now for 'hospital research associate' and 'hospital research coordinator' positions at several local hospitals, but haven't found anything. I assumed most hospital research positions would require knowledge in a specific area of medicine. I will definitely keep looking for possibilities. As I don't have a Bachelors degree in Sociology, I don't have the amount of experience most larger companies are probably expecting. I'm hoping I will be able to find something with the little experience I have. It's always hard to gain experience without experience - if that makes sense. You mentioned places such as the advisory board. I did another quick search with 'advisory board' and I didn't find anything. I will continue to use the information you provided and I'm hoping I find some opportunities soon. Any other tips or suggestions?

Thank you for this information @Psychologyandpizza. I appreciate it. I'm getting a bit nervous as I graduate in December and haven't found any opportunities yet. I know there isn't too much of a rush, but I might as well start using my degree. Do you know if I can go into research right away? I understand universities require a PhD, but what about within a research company? Do you know if working within research companies with an MA degree would be allowed anywhere, or is it based on a company's preference? I'm trying to find answers to my questions. My program advisor isn't much help.

I am currently completing a Masters program in Sociology and have experience with research methods and statistics. I'm getting a little nervous as I will graduate this December and don't have any jobs 'lined up' yet. I would like to go into the research field and would be interested in working with a research company or alongside a team conducting research. I don't have a Bachelors degree in this field as I have changed my major. When searching for job opportunities, other than 'market research', 'clinical research', 'research analyst', or ''sociology research', what other search terms should I be using? I'm trying to find as many opportunities as possible so that I can start applying for positions now. I've also looked for research opportunities within the local university as I wouldn't mind joining a research team or working along side professors, but most of these positions are 'research associates' and hardly pay enough per hour. It's almost October and I'm getting a bit nervous. Any other tips or suggestions relating to job opportunities or research options available to someone with an MA in Sociology would be appreciated. Please let me know!

Thanks @Psychologyandpizza and @iwearflowers. I appreciate the helpful information. I'm really interested in research, but I'm new to the field of Sociology. I feel like sometimes I don't even know what key words to search for when looking for employment opportunities as I'm not familiar with options and how I can use a MA degree in Sociology. I graduate in December and am hoping to find something soon. I really want to start working in research, use my degree, and actually do something I will enjoy doing. I've been in the pharmaceutical field for 10 years now and it's time for something new. Any other tips or suggestions you can provide? Thanks!

Thanks for this information. I'm trying to find other information as well and hoping I can obtain a position using my degree after graduation. I am most interested in research - collecting, analyzing, and statistics. I'm assuming I can find plenty of positions in research with an MA in Sociology? I have already looked for job postings locally and have found a few. The pay isn't the greatest, but I really would like to go into research.

Thank you for this information. I appreciate it. As large as the field of Sociology is, I'm somewhat surprised there aren't more online resources regarding employment opportunities. I have looked over the asanet.org website already. It is pretty helpful, but other than that, I haven't found many other resources. I just looked over the two links you provided and the second one relates to a BA in Sociology. I understand these positions are also related to an MA in Sociology too, but I would prefer MA related positions as I'm assuming they would pay more as a higher degree would be required. I noticed you're from/in Canada. I'm guessing this information would also apply to someone here in the US? I'm still looking for more information that can assist me with finding employment opportunities upon graduation. The information you have provided has been helpful. Any other tips, suggestions, or important information you can provide? Thank you!!

Hi everyone, I am a current graduate student in a Masters program in Sociology and will graduate this December. I am looking into employment opportunities for those with a masters degree in Sociology. I am most interested in research, data collection/analysis, and statistics. I have a few questions regarding employment and am hoping a few of you could help me. I have already contacted my program advisor and a few faculty within my department. I understand most universities, anywhere, require PhD's for research positions. Does this mean I would be able to conduct research within a large research company or with a private company? Do you know if companies require a PhD as universities do, or is it a preference of each company? I have already contacted a few research companies locally and was not provided with detailed information as they are not hiring and do not have any available positions. I am also interested in medicine and the medical field. Would I be able to conduct or assist with research within a hospital, or would a MD/PhD degree be required? Finally, I am aware of companies whose primary focus is not research but have a research department. Is this an opportunity available to those with a masters degree in Sociology? I have already tried to research my questions, but I am having a hard time finding information. I am new to this field and really enjoy research and statistics, so I am looking for more information that will allow me to gain research employment after graduation. Please, please, please direct me to other helpful information that can assist me with my questions, or give me any suggestions and advice you may have. I appreciate it. Thank you.

Hi everyone, I am a current graduate student in a Masters program in Sociology and will graduate this December. I am looking into employment opportunities for those with a masters degree in Sociology. I am most interested in research, data collection/analysis, and statistics. I have a few questions regarding employment and am hoping a few of you could help me. I have already contacted my program advisor and a few faculty within my department. I understand most universities, anywhere, require PhD's for research positions. Does this mean I would be able to conduct research within a large research company or with a private company? Do you know if companies require a PhD as universities do, or is it a preference of each company? I have already contacted a few research companies locally and was not provided with detailed information as they are not hiring and do not have any available positions. I am also interested in medicine and the medical field. Would I be able to conduct or assist with research within a hospital, or would a MD/PhD degree be required? Finally, I am aware of companies whose primary focus is not research but have a research department. Is this an opportunity available to those with a masters degree in Sociology? I have already tried to research my questions, but I am having a hard time finding information. I am new to this field and really enjoy research and statistics, so I am looking for more information that will allow me to gain research employment after graduation. Please, please, please direct me to other helpful information that can assist me with my questions. I appreciate it. Thank you.

This definitely helps, thanks. I need to just join ASA and stop doubting myself about it. Thanks!

I'm interested in what people have to say and recommend for books too. I actually had an assignment for one of my courses that required me to interview two individuals within my field of interest (research) and formulate a list of questions to ask them. I came up with some very good questions. One of them was recommending extra resources such as books, websites, blogs, journals, and other materials. I received websites and a few journal articles, but nothing for books.

I will be receiving my tax return soon and am planning to save most of it, but would also like to spend it wisely on items that will become an advantage to having for my career. Can anyone suggest resources such as books, software programs, office supplies, or anything else that I should invest in that would be a benefit to me as I enter the field of research? I am new to research and Sociology and don't plan to get my PhD right away (not even sure I will yet), but I am look for resources or any information I can get as I start research with a larger or privatext company. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

Thanks for your response. I appreciate it. I noticed the annual meeting is in PA this year and NY next year - both on the East coast. I am currently on the west coast and I think it would be too expensive to travel that far for the annual meeting. I'm able to attend once I pay annual dues as a member? I would definitely be interested in attending, but the cost is a barrier. How did you decide which sociology groups to select from when you joined ASA? Let me make sure I have this correct... I pay an annual membership and then I pay a smaller amount of each 'group' of the website, correct? I'm trying to decide what the benefits of the annual membership are.

I am enrolled in a graduate program in Sociology and am interested in becoming a member of the American Sociological Association. Are there benefits to joining now while I'm still a student, or will joining after graduation (this December) still be the same? Is the membership fee cheaper as a student? Are there any other benefits to joining now while I'm still a student? Has anyone here joined the ASA already? What do you think? Do you like it? Is it worth it? I just want to get some opinions and suggestions. Thanks!