What can I do with my studies in SOCIOLOGY? The information in this handout will provide you with ideas as to some typical careers/jobs that are associated with your degree, along with alternative careers that may not be as directly related to what you have studied. This by no means implies that these jobs are the only options you have. These careers are just samples of what you can do if you have the appropriate skills and experience.
I can look for work now with my B.A. in Sociology. Depending on my interests and experience, possible job titles include: Sociological Research Assistant #4164
Consumer/Market Researcher #4163
Junior Statistician #2161
Survey Interviewer/Pollster #1454, #4164
Statistical Clerk #1454
Actuary #2161
Junior Market Research analyst #4163
Labour Relations Researcher
Social Advocate #4212
Census Clerk #1454
Public Health Statistician #2161
Statistical Analyst #2161
Social Policies Analyst #4164
Employment Insurance Policy Analyst #4164
Employment Counsellor
Elections Officer #4168
Fundraiser #5124
Institutional Historian/ Researcher
Lobby Group Researcher #4164
Corrections Officer Community Worker #4212
Volunteer Coordinator #4212
Youth Care Worker #4212
Child Welfare Worker #4212
Community Relations Manager #4212
Mediator #1121
Adoption Project Officer #4164
Federal and Intergovernmental Affairs Research Officer #4168
Foreign Service Officer #4168
Immigration and Demographic Analysis Officer #4164
I can look for work now outside my area of study. Depending on my interests and experience, possible job titles include:
Business
Quality Control / Quality Assurance Specialist
Community Liaison Officer
Customer Service Trainer
Insurance Agent #6231
Investment Advisor #1112
Entrepreneur / Venture Capitalist
Recruiter #1223
Communications
Education
Writer #5121 / Author / Columnist
Editor #5122
Film Researcher
Journalist #5123
Broadcaster #5231
Lobbying Organizer
Technical Writer #5121
Communications Specialist
Academic Advisor #4143
Career Advisor
Teacher’s Assistant #6472
Educational Researcher
With additional education/training or experience, I can become: Professor #4121
Lobbyist #4160, 4161, 4163, 4164
Social Studies Teacher
Socio-Historical Researcher
Legislative Assistant #1222
Paralegal #4211
Volunteer Services Director #0314
Family Counsellor #4153
Career Centre Director #0411
Rehabilitation Counsellor #4153
Veteran Affairs Specialist #4212
Family Therapist #4153
Recreation & Events Coordinator #4167
Refugee/displaced persons officer #4164
Law & Criminal Justice Lawyer #4112
Family & Social Services
Crisis Intervention Counsellor
Public Health & Program Administration Urban Planner #2153
Medical Sociologist #4169
Public Administrator #0411
Career Guidance Counsellor #4143
Community Centre Director #0314
Group Home Manager #0314
Community Development specialist/planner #4163, 0412
Hospital Director #0014
Health Care Program Coordinator #0311
Nursing Home Manager #0311
Planner #4164
Public Health Program Planner #0411
Public Health & Social Services Evaluator #4165
Chief of Labour Demand Analysis #0411
Social Scientific Research & Advising Sociologist #4169
Social Impact Assessor #4164
Senior Policy Analyst #4164
Public Assistance Advisor #4164
Social Survey Director #0411
Researcher #4164
Labor Relations researcher #4164
Corporate Citizenship Officer
Gerontologist #4169
Demographic Analyst #4164
Public Policy Researcher #4164
Demographer #2161
Health Care Service Statistician #4165
Women’s Organization Analyst/Adviser #0314
Director of Survey Research #0411
Urban Planning Research #0212
Government Policy Advisor #4164
Human Resources Forecaster #4164
Business Benefits Officer #1432
Management Consultant #1122
Human Resources Trainer #1121
Human Resources Specialist
Public Relations Consultant #5124
Job Analyst #1121
Human Resource Manager #0112
Special Events Coordinator #1226
Corporate Social Responsibility Officer
For career descriptions, profiles and job outlooks visit the National Occupational Classification Website (http://www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/2001/e/generic/welcome.shtml), Job Futures (www.jobfutures.ca), and Career Cruising (www.careercruising.com, username & password available by contacting CAPS)
If you wish to explore your interests, identify your goals, and discover how to make the most of your education, we encourage you to sign up for the P.A.C.E. program (Program for the Advancement of Career Exploration). For more information visit http://www.caps.mcgill.ca/programs/pace/ Feel free to come by the CAPS office to make an appointment with a career advisor to discuss your career options and job search strategies.
Employers Statistics Canada
Community Services
Consulting Firms
Correctional & Rehabilitation Centers
Non Profit Organizations
Prisons
Adoption & Child Care Agencies
Advertising & Marketing
Counselling Services
Court Systems
Development Organizations
Educational Institutions
Employment Agencies
Environmental Advocacy Groups
Foster Care Services
Governmental Agencies
Halfway Houses
Health Services
Immigration Assistance
Insurance Companies
Newspapers & Magazines
Public Relations Offices
Religious Organizations
Research Centers
Women’s Services
Law Offices
Libraries
Medical Centers
Charity Services
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Skills of Sociology Majors • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Ability to design and construct social surveys Ability to use statistical software packages Awareness of how our individual & collective ways of thinking, feeling and acting are shaped by our social experience Capacity to anticipate and understand the views and concerns of others Capacity to make critical observations and appropriate decisions Carry out tasks with thoroughness, precision & attention to detail Conduct and explain sociological research clearly Conduct research related to attitudes, beliefs, preference, behaviour, and expectations of a particular group Determine the significant aspect of a multi-dimensional problem Develop systematic procedures of investigating a problem Evolve new perspectives on a problem Good listening, clarifying, questioning and responding skills High proficiency in reading, writing and speaking Interact with people of different backgrounds in various situations Knowledge of community resources, the functioning of human groups, such as religious groups, educational systems, families & deviant groups Knowledge of statistics and social research methodology, including data collection and analysis Maintain composure in stressful situations Make critical observations, evaluations and appropriate decisions Proficiency for detailing information accurately Proficiency in interpersonal communication Quickly understand complex problems and identify solutions Read material articulately and analytically Skill in applying a complex set of criteria in order to make an evaluation Speak articulately and listen objectively Summarize complicated material Think thoroughly and systematically, using methods of conceptual analysis, reasoning, and detailed description Write carefully reasoned reports, essays, locating sources of information, both in research libraries and in the community Analyze, synthesize & interpret information Knowledge of social structures and change Interpersonal communication (oral & written) Interact well with diverse cultures/ groups Knowledge of community resources Research and planning (sociological) Statistical abilities Critical thinking Ability to understand & improve human relationships Resolve conflicts/ counselling Insight into group dynamics Work well under pressure Computer skills (data processing & analysis)
Professional Associations • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association (www.csaa.ca/) International Sociological Association (www.ucm.es/info/isa/) Canadian Association of Social Workers (www.casw-acts.ca) Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals (www.carpnational.org) Canadian Council on Social Development (www.ccsd.ca/home.htm) Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology (www.appliedsoc.org/) American Sociological Association (www.asanet.org/) The Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics (www.sase.org/homepage.html) Sociologists Without Borders (www.sociologistswithoutborders.org/) Rural Sociological Society (www.ruralsociology.org/) American Association for Public Opinion Research (www.aapor.org/) Association for Humanist Sociology (www.humanistsoc.org/) World Association for Public Opinion Research (www.unl.edu/wapor/) World Federation for Mental Health (www.wfmh.org/) International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (www.iussp.org/)
McGill University Career & Placement Service
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