A degree in Sociology develops an organized and disciplined mind in most individuals who are interested in studying the world of two or more people. From the bare bones introduction to anthropological skills and approaches, to the advanced understanding of complex statistical tools and analytical models, there is a body of knowledge in a sociology major that few job candidates share.
The requirement to learn and understand classical theory of psychology, economics, politics, anthropology, rhetoric, philosophy, and the hard sciences develops an incredibly broad base of comprehension in a wide variety of general subject areas. The sub specialties of Sociology, which range from almost pure anthropology to psychology, to every field of endeavor known to man, allow pathways of understanding about the group and individual interactions, social and business structures, and socialization processes in any type of business, job, or field of work.
An individual who ends up in the retail industry will find a rich source of material for observation, classification, definition, identification and study. Knowing how to study, survey, or test a subset of a population, then to generalize to a larger population is the heart and soul of the decision making process of retail management.
A sociologist has the training to make objective, unbiased, and correct observations, and to express or describe them in ways that identify the accuracy and usefulness of the information in making decisions. Such abilities are priceless in the military, law, law enforcement and any type of investigatory field.
A sociologist can investigate in ways that other minds cannot, since complex interactions between multiple factors and large groups of individuals are the playing field of the sociological mind. The ability to actually interpret statistical information and to define it’s benefits, flaws, and faults is priceless in any work situation that calls for finding solutions to complex problems and situations.
And sociologists can write. A well educated sociologist can either eliminate errors in cognitive thinking, or cunningly introduce such errors when they meet certain ends, in sales, political pitches, social work, in criminal investigation interviewing, or even in the courtroom.
Since good paying jobs and careers in sociology are not easy to obtain, the sociology major needs to understand that almost any job where they have additional qualifications, is open to advancement and satisfaction from their additional body of knowledge and ability to apply what they have learned, even if the knowledge is used to conduct an insider’s analysis of a workplace and how human interaction and socialization goes on in the real world.
In summary, the sociology major should develop other skills and educations that will allow for access to a good paying job and satisfying career, but never forget the valuable components of their education that can be applied to any job.
