Social Science Careers
How to Become a Social Scientist
Are you interested in how society works? Fascinated by other people? Social scientists make a living by studying people's behavior-as individuals and in groups. They research the ways society makes decisions, exercises power, and deals with change. The insights of social scientists help individuals, businesses, and government agencies make important decisions. Maybe one of these social science careers interests you:
Psychologist career
Psychologists are experts on the human mind. They study human behavior, provide mental health care, and help improve the quality of life in the workplace. Some psychologists work directly with clients in counseling centers, schools, and medical facilities. Others conduct research for businesses, government agencies, and other institutions.
Economist career
Economists research the way societies distribute resources to produce goods and services. They monitor and analyze employment levels, energy costs, inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, business trends, and taxation.
Anthropologist career
Anthropologists are interested in the social, physical, and cultural development of groups of people. They study the language, customs, social patterns, and values of different cultures. Most anthropologists specialize in one region of the world.
Archaeologist career
Archaeologists recover and study objects and buildings from civilizations of the past. Their goal is to learn about the history, customs, and lives of earlier cultures. Like anthropologists, archaeologists usually focus on one specific region of the world.
Geographer career
The work of geographers is to understand how the physical and cultural aspects of the world are distributed over different regions. Physical geographers analyze differences in climate, vegetation, soil, and landforms, but there are many other specialties in geography. Geographers also study the distribution of economic resources and activities, political events, cultural characteristics, and public health issues.
Historian career
Historians concern themselves with the past. That often means a certain part of the world or a particular time period. However, some historians focus on the history of society, intellectual thought, politics, or diplomacy. Others specialize in the preservation and study of historic buildings, objects, or documents.
Political scientist career
Political scientists are experts in public policy and political systems. The areas they research range from political relations between countries to the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. They study the political life of small towns, large cities, and entire nations. The tools of a political scientist include public opinion surveys, election results, public documents, and interviews.
Sociologist career
Sociologists study the social behavior of cultures, organizations, and institutions. They are interested in how people participate in social, religious, political, economic, and business institutions. How people and groups react to new technology, health epidemics, social change, and crime are some other areas of sociological research. The research of sociologists helps to resolve social problems and formulate public policy.
Degree Programs and Training for a Social Scientist Career
You can earn a bachelor's, masters, or doctoral degree in any of the social science specialties.
Social Scientist Certification and Licensing
All states have certification or licensing requirements for psychologists. Requirements may include educational credentials, examinations, oral or essay questions, and continuing education. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) certifies school psychologists. Also, the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) awards specialty certifications to psychologists who have specialized training and experience.
Social Scientists' Earnings
The median 2006 salaries for some social scientists were:
| Job | Salary |
|---|---|
| Psychologist | $59,000 |
| Economist | $77,000 |
| Anthropologist and archaeologist | $50,000 |
| Geographer | $63,000 |
| Historian | $49,000 |
| Political scientist | $90,000 |
| Sociologist | $60,000 |
Social Scientists' Employment Outlook
Employment in the social sciences is growing at an average rate. However, job opportunities are generally better for people who hold doctoral degrees. Candidates with bachelor's and master's degrees face competition in the job market.
Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition; Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.