Career Opportunities for Individuals with an Industrial Sociology Degree
Career News April 27, 2016Industrial sociology careers relate to how employees work in various industries, their work conditions and their relationships with their seniors and fellow colleagues. If you are passionate about ensuring good work environment and payment for people who work in factories and production industries, read this article to learn about the possible job opportunities you can get.
Information for those with an Industrial Sociology Degree
Students who take degree programs in industrial sociology are taught how to evaluate the relationship among employees, relationships between the employers and employees, then make analyses of how these relationships affect the work environment and performance in general. However, there are not many degree programs that offer specific knowledge on industrial sociology. What is taught in this degree program is often taught in other majors such as human resource management or sociology. Besides these two, a degree major in market research may offer knowledge about industrial sociology.
| Careers | Human Resources Specialist | Sociologist | Market Research Analyst |
| Education qualifications | Bachelor’s degree | Master’s or doctorate degree | Bachelor’s degree |
| Estimated job growth rate | 5% | -1% | 19% |
| Average salary in 2012 | $58,350 | $73,760 | $62,150 |
Career Options for those with an Industrial Sociology Degree
Human Resource Specialists
There are several types of human resource officers. Generalists are responsible for hiring, recruiting, payrolls, issuing other benefits, checking on employee to employee relationships, among other issues. On the other hand, human resource officers who choose to specialize in a certain area may dwell on recruiting, checking on work complaints, issuing benefits and listening to employees about payments or any other type of specialization.
Due to these specializations, education backgrounds for human resource specialists differ. In some offices, entry level jobs might ask for a high school diploma or its equivalence. However, most medium and large organizations hire graduates with at least a bachelor’s degree in a human related degree program. Some human resource organizations also offer certificates to experienced and accomplished human resource specialists.
Sociologists
They study the behaviors and relations of different social groups. Industrial sociologists may work as consultants for business organizations where they offer knowledge on how business leaders can enhance good work relations among their employees. They also help business embrace teamwork and good communication flow. It is also possible for sociologists to work as policy analysts; where they help officials interpret different studies and surveys on the public. The analysts are then able to draw meaningful conclusions from the surveys for the benefit of the companies that they work for.
The basic educational requirement for this profession is a Master’s degree in sociology or a related field. A good graduate level program must however provide learners with real life training, although most Master’s degree programs may focus on some theoretical knowledge, just in case the students pursue doctorate degree programs in the future.
Salary and Employment details
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average human resource specialist earned $58,350 in 2012. In the same year, market research analysts earned $62,150 while sociologist receiving the highest pay at $73,760.
