Choosing a specialization for the job market

[luna1456]

Hello all!

I thought I would begin this discussion because I think its something important to consider. I know that I am interested in a very specific topic. However, if you have ever browsed position announcements there are a few specializations that seem to dominate. From my experience, these are quantitative methods; race, class & gender; theory; and deviance. These are very broad areas and for good reason. And, I know that throughout the years, the demand for these areas will probably change but from what I gather these are usually the most desired specializations on the job market.

What I want to know is how much will this factor into the decisions you make regarding your specialization? I know that I should pursue what I am interested in, but perhaps I can integrate it with one of these demanded specializations or take on another specialization in a dominate area. For example, I much prefer qualitative/interpretative methodology and in general dislike statistics but perhaps I can amend my dissertation so that I will study the topic I am interested in but use these methods to make myself look better on the job market.

What are your thoughts? Any ideas are appreciated.

[hip2btriangle]

I'd also like to invite any commentary people might have on not only picking a specialization, but possibly the actual paper topics/dissertation topics you take on as a grad student. I'm also hearing things about how PhD students need to really start thinking about how marketable their research is in terms of finding employment (meaning, don't write about gender in online video games...write about something that addresses a Compelling National Issue!).

[slothy]

There's certainly a trade off: if you study what you truly love, your research may be of higher quality, which might benefit you on the job market. On the other hand, if you let yourself drift towards where there's demand, your work might suffer a bit but you'll face (relatively) less competition for jobs. I think it never hurts to think about how you can frame yourself as having multiple subfields of specialization. For example, while I'm probably going to priamrily be a work/labor specialist, I'll probably try to write a few papers and take some coursework that could be considered political soc with the hope that it (beyond intellectual fulfillment) might help me become competitive for positions in public policy/administration schools and maybe even poli sci departments. And yes, it's probably a good idea to find paper topics that have some methodological or substantive connection to policy or business... this is probably harder for race/gender and theory people than demographers, criminologists, ect... I would think.

[ewurgler]

I think the only way you are going to finish a dissertation is if YOU are deeply interested in and passionate about the topic. There is no way I could spend 2+ years writing something that is geared toward getting a job/a "hip" topic rather than geared toward impacting a discourse that is important to me.

I think the more important thing is to not necessarily cater to what is in demand, but make sure that you are researching something that merits further research--clearly address a "so what" that cannot be denied. If there is no answer to "so what," there is little case to be made for employment.

Perhaps I am very idealistic, but the type of department I would want to be a part of is balanced, but not concerned merely with volume of articles published or what research will bring in huge grants, but quality intellectual production that elevates the discourse to a new and provocative level.

[doctoraldude]

i second that - i've heard this from a lot of grad students, and i personally feel that very few people can carry on for 4 years doing something they are not passionate about - and still emerge from this dissonance with their sanity ! :roll:

[Sociologist]

Indeed, folks... before you start, you have to marry your subject/topic. And of course, as in all marriages, you have be aware of possible fights and even a divorce. But still, you will need much love. Some say that this can be a marriage of convenience (arranged for carreer advancement purposes)... but still, you have to love your topic! Of course I'm not advising anyone to leave their beloved ones (real persons), but without passion, your work will be poor and you will be miserable.

On the other side, I already stressed in this forum that I consider any form of over-specialization a huge mistake for any sociologist. Never abandon theory and methods. Always engage in methodological as well as theoretical debates, even to criticize the narrowness of those debates and, in a post-modern fashion, denounce the futility of all methods and the death of all theories.

By doing so, you will always be able to discuss research, even in an unfamiliar topic.

[hip2btriangle]

Well, I mean speaking for myself -- there are many Compelling National Issues related to my research interests that I'm very passionate about and could probably spend 4+ years researching. I guess I just meant...unlike undergrad, maybe I shouldn't write a paper about masculinity and Buffy the Vampire Slayer

[luna1456]

Trust me, I understand idealism and in a perfect world I would completely follow my interests. But, taking so many years out of my life already for grad school while I make my family suffer--a big move, long weird hours, stress and little money--makes me think that after I get out, I need a job--quickly and well paying. Maybe, it would be different if it was just me and I could possibly take another year to find a job within my specific interest. I think I am going to write my dissertation within my interests but also specialize in something very popular. (ie. I understand that medical sociology grads are very much in demand at the moment and have amazing job prospects.) But, I don't know yet what that specialization might be.

[Tritonetelephone]

Indeed, folks... before you start, you have to marry your subject/topic. And of course, as in all marriages, you have be aware of possible fights and even a divorce. But still, you will need much love. Some say that this can be a marriage of convenience (arranged for carreer advancement purposes)... but still, you have to love your topic! Of course I'm not advising anyone to leave their beloved ones (real persons), but without passion, your work will be poor and you will be miserable.

I like this analogy a lot! Thanks, Sociologist.

I agree with what's been said about needing to be passionate about your subject area. And I agree that theory/methods are important for your skill set. But if I'm already interested in something, it does become a huge plus to pursue it professionally if it's in demand. That's one reason I'm pursuing cultural and cognitive sociology as secondary interests - but I already had the passion to enjoy them.

It's kind of like, when I was a kid, I was really interested in Math. I was great at Calculus in High School. But no one really pushed me to be an engineer, even though I might have been a good one and made a LOT more money. I'm happy now and love what I do, but I do have some regrets about that.