Why Do Graduate Work in Sociology?

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Why do graduate work in Sociology? Perhaps the simplest, and most important answer to this question is that sociological analysis is indispensable for understanding the world and making it a better place. But Sociology is also fascinating, it's fun, sociologists are a wonderful community of caring people, and the job market is very healthy.

What makes sociology unique is that it refuses to take the world at face value. For example, while most social sciences (eg. economics and psychology) theorize the individual, and individualist accounts are now in vogue, sociology understands that we are social creatures, and that context, norms, discourse, and interaction not only matter, but are often paramount. It also insists on analyzing power, in contrast to some other fields. In a world of deepening inequalities and mounting social problems, understanding both structural and everyday forms of power is essential. Sociology has a long history of critical analysis, a public orientation, and a bedrock commitment to relevance and action.

If you are considering a career in sociology, you can be encouraged by the diversity of approaches and research areas in the profession, the commitment to openness and tolerance among its members, and by the high levels of disciplinary involvement and sociability. The discipline thrives on methodological, theoretical, and topic area innovation. This represents one of its greatest strengths, and provides an unusual level of intellectual freedom for graduate students.

Finally, sociology boasts a very healthy job market, particularly in academic settings. Studies of recent cohorts of Ph.D.s find that more than 80% have found academic jobs, and a majority are in tenure and tenure-track positions. Graduates have also entered non-profits, government, and business positions. At the undergraduate level, sociology has witnessed rapid growth, which is the basis for a continued healthy job market picture.