(Are there) Job opportunities for PhD's in Sociology?

[julesevar]

Just curious if anyone knew about how many Sociology Phd's are graduating every year and the percentage of them that are getting teaching jobs? While I have been pondering pursuing a master's and/or PhD in Sociology I feel I might be too old to get a job when I graduate. I'm 39 so I figure I would be pushing the upper 40's before I would get a PhD. With so much competition for jobs I have debated whether or not pursuing this would be a wise decision, especially on the financial front. I would have to move and quit my job.... I have also contemplated a MFA in writing among other things as this is another field of interest, and/or at the least just takng a few classes for fun.

Any thoughts?

[direshark]

Just curious if anyone knew about how many Sociology Phd's are graduating every year and the percentage of them that are getting teaching jobs? While I have been pondering pursuing a master's and/or PhD in Sociology I feel I might be too old to get a job when I graduate. I'm 39 so I figure I would be pushing the upper 40's before I would get a PhD. With so much competition for jobs I have debated whether or not pursuing this would be a wise decision, especially on the financial front. I would have to move and quit my job.... I have also contemplated a MFA in writing among other things as this is another field of interest, and/or at the least just takng a few classes for fun.

Any thoughts?

In 2006, stats were pretty positive. This report done by the ASA seems pretty encouraging: http://www.asanet.org/research/TooManyTooFew.pdf

And here's an article examining that report: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/06/23/socjobs

"The overall picture is quite positive. The association had listings in 2006 for 1,086 unique positions, 610 of them for assistant professors. During that same year, 562 Ph.D.'s were awarded in sociology. The report notes that not all of the posted positions in any year are filled by new Ph.D.'s or at all, but given that there are also postdoctoral positions, positions for which no rank is specified, and positions not included in the ASA job listings, the outlook is encouraging for new Ph.D. recipients."

However, it's worth noting that that was in 2006, and there has been some rumoring of a coming higher education bubble. So the future is difficult to forecast, especially with the fact that a PhD takes the latter part of a decade. Who knows what the landscape will look like upon graduation? And of course, individual merit (or, at least, grad school prestige) plays an enormous role in the acquisition of a job.

[julesevar]

What do you do now? I don't mean to be an asshole, but why now? It strikes of desperation.

I actually have a very stable state government job.

As far as desperation, to quote a X song, "We're desperate.... get used to it"...

[JohnBom]

There are people in my cohort who are well over 40. Starting a phd later in life isn't rare.

[coqui21]

Just curious if anyone knew about how many Sociology Phd's are graduating every year and the percentage of them that are getting teaching jobs? While I have been pondering pursuing a master's and/or PhD in Sociology I feel I might be too old to get a job when I graduate. I'm 39 so I figure I would be pushing the upper 40's before I would get a PhD. With so much competition for jobs I have debated whether or not pursuing this would be a wise decision, especially on the financial front. I would have to move and quit my job.... I have also contemplated a MFA in writing among other things as this is another field of interest, and/or at the least just takng a few classes for fun.

Any thoughts?

There's no telling what the market will look like 6-8 years from now, but over the past two years it has been very rough. Many sociology PhD's are underemployed in temporary low paying teaching positions. The market appears as though it has improved some this year, but it's still very difficult to find a stable job that pays well in a desirable area. Of course, if you are geographically limited, it makes it even more difficult. For the best chance of success, go to a top school, publish (even if you desire a teaching position), and be willing to live anywhere in the United States...literally anywhere.

In 2007, nearly 600 sociologists received PhDs. In 2008 there were only about 300-340 new Assistant Professor jobs filled. See this report for the nitty gritty details: http://www.asanet.org/research/ASAJobBankStudy09.pdf

[Roll Right]

I wouldn't feel bad about being in your 40's and completing a phd. I doubt that will hurt your job prospects. Honestly, the majority of work in sociology is found at the MA level. Teaching community college classes, working in data analysis, working as a research methodologist, program evaluations, etc. Having a PhD obviously prepares you for these jobs. A PhD also qualifies you for lead roles in research projects for companies like RTI, PPD or other research orgs. And, of course, you can work as a professor.

Edited April 11, 2011 by Roll Right

[Roll Right]

Sorry about the double post. I think we should realize that you can work as a professor and a non-profit/think tank employee. Often times think tanks and non-profits are linked to a University. I can think of many examples here (think of the many research institutions that Notre Dame, Duke, or George Mason have. These are all directed by professors.).

Thanks for posting that article coqui21. It led me to a report by Spalter-Roth (2009) on career paths for sociology PhDs outside of the academy. It's something I've been curious about. Check out the powerpoint here. (Edit: link will load powerpoint immediately)

The report concludes that PhDs working outside of academia report high job satisfaction and that our scholarly community should encourage newly minted PhDs to go into private/non-profit/government jobs. As with economists, if sociologists become more sought-after for well paid non-academic jobs, then we can expect salaries within the academy to rise as research universities compete for talent.

Does anyone on the board have an opinion about leaving the academy for a private/non-profit/government career? What about being a researcher for a think tank or policy institute, e.g. MDRC, Urban Institute, etc.? Are these mere hold-over jobs before landing that professorship? Are these viable long-term careers? Do we fear losing research autonomy? Can one come back into the academy after working in another field?

Personally, with my interest in marginalized social movements and urban space, I can't imagine ever being a very attractive candidate for a think tank or government job. But all you health, stratification, statisticians, and economic sociologists are very marketable.

Thoughts?

[direshark]

There's no telling what the market will look like 6-8 years from now, but over the past two years it has been very rough. Many sociology PhD's are underemployed in temporary low paying teaching positions. The market appears as though it has improved some this year, but it's still very difficult to find a stable job that pays well in a desirable area. Of course, if you are geographically limited, it makes it even more difficult. For the best chance of success, go to a top school, publish (even if you desire a teaching position), and be willing to live anywhere in the United States...literally anywhere.

In 2007, nearly 600 sociologists received PhDs. In 2008 there were only about 300-340 new Assistant Professor jobs filled. See this report for the nitty gritty details: http://www.asanet.or...BankStudy09.pdf

I knew my outdated stats were too rosy! Damn you recession!