Considering a non-academic career?

[grad2B]

Is anyone else thinking of pursuing a non-academic career with their Sociology PhD? Just wondering what kind of careers others might be thinking about... research institutes, think tanks, NGOs, government agencies, etc?

Also, what programs did you apply to? How well do you think they will prepare you for a non-academic career?

[nyghtfalls]

hey there!

YES, it is so refreshing to see someone else who embraces careers outside of academia as well as those within. I am strongly considering this path as well. I was thinking that I would like to work in a think tank or do some consulting/contracting. I was also thinking of working as an analyst for the city or the federal government. Also, don't underestimate other places like the State Department, the United Nations, and other cool places to use your skills. I'm not the guru of job prospects, but I am definitely open to talking about this with you more if you like! Maybe we can come up with ideas together. :-)

[nyghtfalls]

sorry forgot to answer the second part of your question. it would be impossible to list all the program I applied to because i applied to ALOT. but ill list the ones to which I gained admission: UIUC, UIC, Northwestern, and UW Madison. I think that each place brings something really special to the table which will allow me to really build my skills. To be down right honest, however, Madison seems to have the most resources, especially for what I am into. For example, they have the CDE for demography and a fantastic stats and methods core all around, which makes social scientists VERY marketable. But they also seem to be the um.. dare i say... "snootiest". So that's something to consider.

[SocViv]

Since it hasn't been mentioned, I'd like to add that there are multitudes of opportunities in the for-profit world for Sociology PhDs. Many companies want (and highly value) the sophisticated skills of epidemiology, qualitative and quantitative research methodology and sociological theory to inform their marketing and strategy teams, or to create better conditions for employees.

With a PhD in Sociology, you could get a very highly paid job as a consultant for a major consulting firm, or for a big multi-national company. Market research companies and marketing departments love social scientists because they understand statistics and research methodology, but can still translate it to numerically illiterate audiences and are analytical enough to recommend strategies for taking action on the findings. In Human Resources at a large company, you can come up with strategies based on your understand of network theory to best encourage information-sharing and employee job satisfaction. Or perhaps you'd like to use your expertise in gender studies and family dynamics to come up with flexible work policies for factory workers with kids.

There are a LOT of PhDs outside of academics, and taking a job in the for-profit world does not mean you're "going to the dark side". Any Sociology PhD program is going to give you the foundation in research methodology to succeed either inside or outside of academics or government or non-profits, and there are many ways to make an impact on important sociological issues outside of academia (dare I say - perhaps even more impact!). It's a big world out there, and with more credentials, it means more people are going to listen to you, so make the most of it however you can.

**steps off soapbox**

[alienatedlaborer]

I agree with all that's been said here, and it would do all soc grad students some good to remember that there's a world outside the ivory tower that would love to have us. But as a practical matter, I'd be wary of voicing your plans to someday leave academia too loudly. Simply put, a lot of professors aren't going to be interested in working with someone who they think is going to split for the private sector once their dissertation is done. They may even view you as a flight risk, since you hardly need a PhD to work for McKinsey, after all. If they think there's a good chance you won't bother finishing the program, why would they spend all that time training you?

This isn't to say you should lie about your plans, but... maybe keep that part about the private sector to yourself until you're further along and know who you're dealing with.

...and then go make your millions.

[hip2btriangle]

few seem to mention this...but probably for good reason...higher ed administration! one day in the great beyond, i'd love to be a dean of students type.

[rising_star]

If you're interested in learning more about these kinds of careers, you may be interested in Duke's WRK4US listserv.