The study of human societies, sociology is well-known as a social science that can help students pursue careers in social work, human services, research and education. However, what many outside the field of sociology fail to realize is that many of the skills honed in sociology programs equip students to function remarkably well in the field of business.
If you are interested in earning a BA in sociology but don’t want to eliminate lucrative job options in business, you can read on to learn more about how your sociology degree might prepare you for a business career.
Communication
Many sociologists focus their studies on the ways in which people communicate with one another, which helps them understand how relationships begin and develop between individuals and groups in different settings. Understanding human interaction is remarkably valuable in business, especially in the communications field, where professionals are often tasked with informing or persuading large groups of people about a company, its products or its behaviors. Many sociologists often pursue similar business careers to graduates of communications degree programs, which include applying for jobs in journalism, marketing, public relations and media relations. To thrive in these positions, sociology students may want to put time toward honing their verbal and written communication skills.
Sales and Marketing
A broad goal of sociology is to better understand humankind, which allows students in this field to develop deep insights into how and why humans maintain certain behaviors. Such experience can help sociologists learn to manipulate human behavior in specific ways, which could be immensely valuable in careers in sales or marketing. Because both sales and marketing work to exert some control over a target audience, driving consumers to purchase a company’s products or services, sociologists could find career success by applying their knowledge of human behavior to these fields. Most enticing, both sales and marketing are extremely high-paying fields within business, and sociologists with the right skills and drive can reach positions of incredible authority along these paths.
Human Resources
Often, sociologists engage directly with certain groups of people, working to understand group dynamics and helping to ease relationships to generate more positive experiences. Sometimes, sociologists go into human services or social work, both of which target vulnerable populations in need of support from knowledgeable and skilled professionals. However, sociologists may perform nearly identical work in business by entering the human resources field. Human resources workers are tasked with administrative responsibilities such as hiring and terminating staff, managing interpersonal conflicts, developing beneficial programs, providing benefits and more. With their experience interacting with a variety of people and their interest in maintaining strong and productive relationships, sociology students tend to be good fits for jobs in this field.
Leadership and Management
In many cases, business leaders are chosen from top performers within their field — effective sales people become sales managers, etc. However, ability within a field does not necessarily guarantee efficacy as a leader. Typically, leaders need a completely different set of skills to ensure that their teams will reach success, and those skills overlap significantly with the skills developed in sociology programs. Sociology students may consider returning to school for a master’s program in business that will allow them to skip entry level positions and begin careers on the management track. Then, they can effect positive change in organizations by functioning as more effective leaders.
Entrepreneurship
Many sociologists hope to make the world a better place, and in many ways, entrepreneurship can accomplish that. Business leaders wield immense power in society, and corporations can influence culture in meaningful ways. Sociologists might strive to follow the social entrepreneurship path, in which entrepreneurs launch businesses with the intention of solving a social problem. Though entrepreneurship is risky, it can give sociologists more autonomy to apply their studies to the ways in which they work. Plus, success in entrepreneurship will provide sociologists with high income and prestige, which they might utilize to society’s benefit.
Sociology is a fascinating science, but many graduates aren’t sure how to apply their knowledge, skills and experience to the real world. Fortunately, there are plenty of places for sociologists in business, so students can enjoy both an engaging degree program and a rewarding career.
