Five sociology jobs you could be doing right now 

Want a job that helps make a difference to society? We’ve got you covered…

Whether you already have a sociology degree under your belt, or you want to make the most of your transferable skills  and help improve people’s lives, a sociology job could be for you. But knowing where to find work and how to get started in your career isn’t always easy. 

To help inspire you, here are five sociology jobs you could be doing right now: 

 

HR advisor

What they do: An HR advisor works in an HR department supporting a company and its employees. The specific duties of an HR advisor will vary, but could include updating personnel records and contracts, answering HR related questions, writing job descriptions, interviewing candidates and providing training to staff. 

What you need to do the job: Employers may expect you to have some experience in an HR setting, making it a great position for anyone currently working as an HR administrator or HR assistant. While a degree isn’t necessary to become an HR advisor, a CIPD Level 5 Diploma in People Management qualification will give you an edge over other candidates. Soft skills for an HR advisor include people skills, confident communication and project management skills.  

Perfect for: People who want to help others to succeed 

Our advice: The work done by an HR advisor is diverse and isn’t just about hiring people. You may be involved with grievance or disciplinary procedures that require tough decisions to be made. If you’re not certain that this is the job you want to do, speaking to people who currently work in the sector is often a great place to start. Whether it’s in person, or via social networking.  

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How to become an HR advisor

 

Social worker

What they do: A social worker supports individuals and families during difficult periods and ensures that vulnerable people get the required support they need and are well taken care of. Social workers may work in homes, schools, hospitals or local authority managed settings. 

What you need to do the job: Social workers need an honours degree or a postgraduate degree that’s recognised by one of the following regulators: Social Work England, Social Care Wales, Northern Ireland Social Care Council or Scottish Social Services Council. Some organisations also offer on-the-job training in social work. As a social worker, you will often be faced with difficult situations, so you’ll need patience, and must have the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.

Perfect for: People who are driven to help others 

Our advice: You’ll need experience in social work to be accepted on a postgraduate course. Before submitting your postgraduate application try to gain as much relevant experience as possible, even if it’s just in a voluntary capacity. 

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How to become a social worker

 

Sociology teacher 

What they do: A sociology teacher educates students  in the fundamentals of sociology, which is the study of societies, communities and civilisations.  Whether it’s at school, at college or at university. Common responsibilities for a sociology teacher include preparing teaching materials, marking students’ work, preparing sociology students for their exams and supervising students on field trips. 

What you need to do the job: To become a sociology teacher you’ll need to achieve a QTS (Qualified Teaching Status) by studying for a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education). Some courses specialise in PGCE with Social Sciences.

Perfect for: People who want to inspire others 

Our advice: As a sociology teacher, you can get a great sense of achievement helping your students to understand and interpret the information you’ve taught them, but it can also be a demanding career choice – and  you may find yourself working in the evenings and on weekends. If you’re not sure whether the job is right for you, try seeking work as a teaching assistant first, which will allow you to see the demands of the job first hand (not to mention earn while you learn). 

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Housing manager

What they do: A housing officer manages the rental of properties that belong to a local authority or housing association. Specific duties will vary depending on where you work, but may include assessing applications for properties, inspecting properties, helping tenants access other support services, dealing with rent arrears and attending tenant meetings. 

What you need to do the job: To become a housing officer, you’ll need to be organised, have excellent time management skills,  be empathetic and possess good communications skills. Most housing officers start off in an administrative role for a housing association or a local authority, where they can gain both the skills and knowledge to move up to become a housing officer. 

Perfect for: People who believe a house should be a home

Our advice: Housing officers support people with a wide range of healthcare, social and behavioural needs. So gaining experience, either by volunteering or working with a charity that specialises in housing or the rehoming of people, will help you decide if this is the career for you – not to mention add real value to your CV  

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View all housing officer courses

 

Police officer 

What they do: A police officer is tasked with investigating and preventing crime, keeping communities safe and ensuring that laws are abided by. A police officer may spend some of their time based at their local police station, and the remainder out in the community, carrying out patrols or responding to incidents that require police assistance. 

What you need to do the job: To become a police officer you have to be 18 years or older, and you must pass a number of assessments, health checks and background checks. You can apply directly to the police or you can start your policing career via the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), which takes around three years to complete. You’ll need to be physically fit to be a police officer too (think of that walking they do!), and must be a confident communicator and have the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Perfect for: People who like to keep the peace 

Our advice: Becoming a police officer can be a highly rewarding career choice but you may at times find yourself in stressful or dangerous situations. Before applying to be a police officer, consider volunteering as a special constable. These are people who aren’t qualified police but who carry out some front line police tasks. You could also look into becoming a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), who undertake similar duties as special constables but are paid for their time.  

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How to become a Police Officer

 

 

Still looking for your perfect job? View all sociology jobs now.