Career in Sociology
Introduction
A career in sociology has a great value in the modern complex society. Sociology, that is, the scientific knowledge of society, is needed to achieve order and progress in society. With a short history but a rather long past, sociology teaches us to look at human beings as social beings and unveils the social forces working behind the things and events which are more often than not attributed to as purely political, economic, or psychological.
It studies the interrelations between the various social institutions, the social organization, and the social inequalities that exist in our societies. It locates the individual within the social structure and also shows us how individual agency brings change within the structure.
Sociologists are sometimes called ‘social doctors’. Although they do not directly engage themselves in solving problems of the society, the knowledge that they produce about the society, its institutions and its issues, raise the awareness of the problems that plague the society. From planning policies for local problems to solving international problems, the knowledge that the discipline produces is indispensable.
The paths that one can choose after studying sociology are multifarious. Sociology gives such an enriched understanding of the different aspects of the society that it makes it easy for a person to diverge from it to a more specialized field of interest.
At the School Level
To embark upon a career in sociology right from school, one can choose Humanities/Arts stream with Sociology as one of the subjects.
It should be noted that not taking sociology at the school level does not affect one’s prospects in one’s career in sociology at a latter level but having it as a subject from school onwards helps create a good foundation. Students of science and commerce streams can also apply for undergraduate courses in sociology.
At the Bachelor’s Level
Choosing the right course at the bachelor’s level is the most important step in making a career in sociology. A discipline like sociology becomes a more serious pursuit at this level. The most preferable paths are as follows:
- B.A. (Hons.) Sociology for three years
- B.A. Programme/Pass/Humanities and Social Sciences with Sociology as one of the subjects
- B.A. Honours in any of the social sciences/social work
The above-mentioned courses are recommended in the given order of familiarity with the discipline of sociology and its subject matter with the most familiar at the top and the least familiar at the bottom.
If, while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in any other discipline other than the above mentioned, one wishes to pursue a career in sociology, one is open to doing so by pursuing a Master’s degree in sociology by qualifying the entrance examinations of recognized university programs. Although it is possible to start a career in sociology at this level, one has to deal with more challenges of not having a strong foundation in it.
Eligibility
General eligibility to pursue a B.A. degree in Sociology is a Higher Secondary qualification/ 10+2 or equivalent qualification in any stream from a recognized educational Board of the country, with a minimum of 50% in aggregate.
Please note that this is the basic eligibility and is not the same as the actual cut-off/ qualification of entrances needed for admission.
Colleges/Universities offering courses in Sociology
- Ambedkar University Delhi
- Ashoka University
- Christ (Deemed to be University)
- Fergusson College, Pune
- Loyola College
- Presidency University, Calcutta
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts
- University of Delhi
Curriculum
Following are the core contents of a standard under-graduate syllabus of sociology:
- Introduction to Sociology – I
- Sociology of India – I
- Introduction to Sociology – II
- Sociology of India – II
- Political Sociology
- Sociology of Religion
- Sociology of Gender
- Economic Sociology
- Sociology of Kinship
- Social Stratification
- Sociological Thinkers – I
- Sociological Research Methods – I
- Sociological Thinkers – II
- Sociological Research Methods – II
Other specific elective contents of a standard under-graduate syllabus of sociology include—urban sociology, agrarian sociology, environmental sociology, sociology of work, sociology of health and medicine, Indian sociological tradition, visual culture, reading ethnographies, sociology of media, sociology of education, and so on.
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Higher Studies and Job Prospects in Sociology
When it comes to the role of higher studies, it consolidates one’s specialized role in the desired field and that is also true in the case of a person desiring a career in sociology.
- Studying sociology as an end in itself or to establish a career in research and academia requires one to choose the following paths: M.A. in Sociology, followed by M.Phil. + Ph.D. in Sociology
Or
- M.A./M.Sc./M.Phil. + Ph.D. in specialized and allied fields such as applied sociology, social work, human resource development and management, criminology, public policy, development studies, mass media and communication, cultural studies, social anthropology, law, politics, and society, sociology of education and so on.
Besides teaching and research, these specializations allow one to take up various roles in the sectors such as:
- Social service/NGOs,
- Journalism,
- Public Policy
- Education,
- Anthropology,
- Development and Planning,
- Law,
- Politics,
- Human Resource Management,
- Advertising and Public Relations, and so on.
Other lucrative alternative careers for sociology degree holders include:
- Civil Services: The Civil Services Examination is a nationwide competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment to various civil services of the Government of India, including the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Forest Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS).
The State Civil Services examinations and recruitment are conducted by the individual states public service commissions in India. These services are feeders of All India Services.
Sociology is one of the optional subjects for the mains examinations and competence in the subject could help the candidate ace the mains paper.
- MBA/MBA-HRM: Students seeking admissions in Indian universities have to appear for certain entrance examinations like CAT and CMAT.
A sociology graduate can wear more than one hat if interested in these fields. The salary varies across the diversified careers that sociology offers. Although in the initial stages, a career in sociology (pure) does not offer a lucrative salary, the jobs could be satisfying for those who are interested in the field. Research in sociology is funded by both national and international organizations and the competition is stiff. Those aiming to dedicate their lives to research and academics should be well prepared.
We hope this is going to be helpful if you are planning to pursue a career in sociology. For more guidance, feel free to connect with us and provide your feedback as well, so that we can also improve in the future.
