Job Opportunities with a MA in Sociology

[speechfan222]

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. 

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[high_hopes]

On 9/2/2018 at 7:58 PM, speechfan222 said:

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. 

To answer your questions in order:

1. The educational requirements for research positions in universities and private companies really vary. PhDs can be advantageous, but many jobs don't require them. Even universities may have positions for researchers who help out with projects that don't require a PhD. However, unfortunately, all of these jobs can be difficult to fund.

2. A MD/PhD is not required to be involved in medical research, though it can help.

3. Yes, if you can brand yourself as someone with quantitative analysis skills, any larger organization will need someone who can analyze large sets of data. There are a broad variety of possibilities: HR, market research, surveys and public opinion, logistics, advocacy and policy analysis, etc. 

 

I think the resources on this webpage will help you: http://www.asanet.org/career-center/careers-sociology

In particular, check out this article: http://www.asanet.org/news-events/footnotes/mar-apr-2016/whats-new/preparing-21st-century-job-hunt-ba-sociology

[speechfan222]

12 hours ago, high_hopes said:

To answer your questions in order:

1. The educational requirements for research positions in universities and private companies really vary. PhDs can be advantageous, but many jobs don't require them. Even universities may have positions for researchers who help out with projects that don't require a PhD. However, unfortunately, all of these jobs can be difficult to fund.

2. A MD/PhD is not required to be involved in medical research, though it can help.

3. Yes, if you can brand yourself as someone with quantitative analysis skills, any larger organization will need someone who can analyze large sets of data. There are a broad variety of possibilities: HR, market research, surveys and public opinion, logistics, advocacy and policy analysis, etc. 

 

I think the resources on this webpage will help you: http://www.asanet.org/career-center/careers-sociology

In particular, check out this article: http://www.asanet.org/news-events/footnotes/mar-apr-2016/whats-new/preparing-21st-century-job-hunt-ba-sociology

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!!

[high_hopes]

Most of what I know is from reading American sources. Here are a few other links that might be helpful:

https://orgtheory.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/seriously-dont-go-to-graduate-school/

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Life-Physical-and-Social-Science/sociologists.htm

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskSocialScience/wiki/careers

To be honest, I don't think there's a huge difference in private industry between whether you have a BA, MA, or PhD in sociology. What will matter is your methodological training and ability to sell yourself. It may also result in slightly different pay scales. 

[speechfan222]

27 minutes ago, high_hopes said:

Most of what I know is from reading American sources. Here are a few other links that might be helpful:

https://orgtheory.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/seriously-dont-go-to-graduate-school/

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Life-Physical-and-Social-Science/sociologists.htm

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskSocialScience/wiki/careers

To be honest, I don't think there's a huge difference in private industry between whether you have a BA, MA, or PhD in sociology. What will matter is your methodological training and ability to sell yourself. It may also result in slightly different pay scales. 

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. 

[julesevar]

Can you say "would you like fries with your order"? 

No, seriously now check out State and Federal jobs. I have a friend who is a research analyst for a state agency but it is mainly Stats and computer programming......