Sociologists

Career Description: Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

Industry: Life, Physical, and Social Science

Other Job Titles for Sociologists:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
• Analyze and interpret data in order to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
• Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
• Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
• Teach sociology.
• Direct work of statistical clerks, statisticians, and others who compile and evaluate research data.
• Consult with and advise individuals such as administrators, social workers, and legislators regarding social issues and policies, as well as the implications of research findings.
• Collaborate with research workers in other disciplines.
• Develop approaches to the solution of groups' problems, based on research findings in sociology and related disciplines.
• Observe group interactions and role affiliations to collect data, identify problems, evaluate progress, and determine the need for additional change.
• Develop problem intervention procedures, utilizing techniques such as interviews, consultations, role playing, and participant observation of group interactions.
• Code data in preparation for computer entry.
• Provide assistance in the design of survey instruments such as questionnaires.
• Screen potential subjects in order to determine their suitability as study participants.
• Administer standardized tests to research subjects, and/or interview them in order to collect research data.
• Recruit and schedule research participants.
• Track research participants, and perform any necessary follow-up tasks.
• Allocate and manage laboratory space and resources.
• Supervise the work of survey interviewers.
• Track laboratory supplies, and expenses such as participant reimbursement.
• Perform needs assessments and/or consult with clients in order to determine the types of research and information that are required.
• Collect specimens such as blood samples, as required by research projects.
• Investigate properties, origins, and activities of glaciers, ice, snow, and permafrost.
• Develop techniques for measuring and identifying trees.
• Build geographic information systems (GIS) to record, analyze, and cartographically represent the distribution of languages, cultural and natural resources, land use, and settlement patterns of specific populations.
• Observe and measure bodily variations and physical attributes of different human groups.

Emerging Tasks

• Present research findings at professional meetings.
• Regulate grazing (e.g., by issuing permits and checking for compliance with standards), and help ranchers plan and organize grazing systems in order to manage, improve and protect rangelands and maximize their use.
• Supervise and monitor production processes in order to ensure that equipment is used efficiently, specifications are changed when needed, and projects are completed within appropriate time frames and budgets.
• Use chemicals and other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
• Supervise the work of others including interns, clinicians in training, and other counselors.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• advise clients or customers
• advise governmental or industrial personnel
• analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
• analyze social or economic data
• collect scientific or technical data
• collect social or personal information
• collect statistical data
• communicate technical information
• compile data on human physique, social customs, or artifacts
• compile information through interviews
• compile numerical or statistical data
• conduct field research or investigative studies
• confer with research personnel
• confer with scientists
• create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
• develop or maintain databases
• develop plans for programs or projects
• develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
• develop scientific or mathematical hypotheses, theories, or laws
• develop tables depicting data
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
• direct implementation of new procedures, policies, or programs
• explain complex mathematical information
• follow confidentiality procedures
• forecast or predict phenomena based upon research data
• interpret charts or tables for social or economic research
• maintain awareness of social trends
• make presentations
• obtain information from individuals
• perform statistical modeling
• plan scientific research or investigative studies
• plan surveys of specified group or area
• prepare reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• provide expert testimony on research results
• recognize interrelationships among individuals or social groups
• recognize interrelationships among social statistics or indicators
• recommend further study or action based on research data
• solve problems in human relations
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use conflict resolution techniques
• use current social research
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use project management techniques
• use public speaking techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write research or project grant proposals
• write scholarly or technical research papers
• resolve problems in educational settings
• select teaching materials to meet student needs
• use behavior modification techniques
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve educational data
• use counseling techniques
• use current social research
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of multi-media technology
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use motivational techniques in education
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use psychological assessment tools
• use public speaking techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use scientific research methodology
• use special education techniques
• use spreadsheet software
• use teaching techniques
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• work with persons with mental disabilities or illnesses
• write business project or bid proposals
• write research or project grant proposals
• write scholarly or technical research papers
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use medical diagnostic techniques
• use medical lab techniques
• use microscope
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use project management techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures in health care
• use sanitation practices in health care settings
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• write research or project grant proposals
• write scholarly or technical research papers
• write technical health or medical documents
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• work with management or employees to improve organizational system
• write business project or bid proposals
• write employee orientation or training materials
• write research or project grant proposals
• write scholarly or technical research papers

Overall Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Job Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Education
A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Examples
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include librarians, lawyers, aerospace engineers, physicists, school psychologists, and surgeons.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$29.39
• Average annual wage (2007) - $61,140.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 9.98%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 370
• Employment (2006): 3,702

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