Would I make enough money to live in a house and eat good food with PhD in sociology?

[☭World Views]

I think my chances of getting accepted into medical school are pretty much over.

It took me three attempts to pass College Algebra, I'm failing Chemistry, and I just bombed pre-calc-trig mid-term.

My parents are going to be very dissapointed.

I always loved sociology, writing, analyzing social variables, etc. but until now I haven't considered pursuing it professionally.

In the two English classes, historical perspectives, the intro sociology course, and anthropology I passed with A's.

So it's not that I'm retarded, I am just very weak in mathematical applications.



I love sociology. More so than being a medical doctor and having to go through more math!!!

Would I be able to live in a house and never worry about where my next meal will be with a PhD in sociology?


I am trying to find a niche for the movement.


PS:

I know that the medical school in Cuba only requires a year of general chemistry, biology, physics, and organic with the labs, but the problem is that math classes are pre-requisites for those classes.

[Invincible Summer]

Well, with a PhD in socio, you'd probably just be doing research or teaching in a university. It may depend on where you are, but generally, being a uni professor/researcher pays pretty damn well.

You will definitely not have to worry about your next meal.

However, getting work that is non-academic with a socio degree (let alone a PhD) is more difficult, as you don't really graduate with any "hard skills" aside from data analysis.

[Raúl Duke]

My sociology professor from FGCU lives in Naples, a place known for well-off retirees/etc, I'm guessing in the nice part of town where fairly well-off people live.

[jake williams]

If you have job skills and experience when you get your PhD, you can do more than academic jobs with a social science degree. Academic jobs are pretty comfortable financially, but the job security is not profound and they're hard to get, there's a surplus of arts PhDs who can't get real jobs.

See if you can get some public sector internships during school. A sexy CV is better than a sociology PhD, but the two can really complement each other if you do it right.

[Devrim]

I love sociology. More so than being a medical doctor and having to go through more math!!!

Would I be able to live in a house and never worry about where my next meal will be with a PhD in sociology?

It depends whether McDonalds pays a living wage in your country. Personally I doubt it.

Devrim

[black magick hustla]

I think my chances of getting accepted into medical school are pretty much over.

It took me three attempts to pass College Algebra, I'm failing Chemistry, and I just bombed pre-calc-trig mid-term.

My parents are going to be very dissapointed.

I always loved sociology, writing, analyzing social variables, etc. but until now I haven't considered pursuing it professionally.

In the two English classes, historical perspectives, the intro sociology course, and anthropology I passed with A's.

So it's not that I'm retarded, I am just very weak in mathematical applications.



I love sociology. More so than being a medical doctor and having to go through more math!!!

Would I be able to live in a house and never worry about where my next meal will be with a PhD in sociology?


I am trying to find a niche for the movement.


PS:

I know that the medical school in Cuba only requires a year of general chemistry, biology, physics, and organic with the labs, but the problem is that math classes are pre-requisites for those classes.

go teach english abroad. it pays well for an american.

[black magick hustla]

those are very basic classes. why dont switch to a more profiteable degree? it seems you are at the most a sophmore.

[black magick hustla]

It depends whether McDonalds pays a living wage in your country. Personally I doubt it.

Devrim
thats harsh man. i guess you prolly know the ins though, i am sure the communist movement has a huge influx of proletarianized liberal arts phds lol

[ChrisK]

Don't do sociology. Anthropology is way cooler and has more jobs availible.

[¿Que?]

Don't do sociology. Anthropology is way cooler and has more jobs availible.

Maybe physical anthropology. But I find it hard to imagine there'd be more job opportunities for a cultural anthropologist than a quantitative sociologist.

[Invincible Summer]

Don't do sociology. Anthropology is way cooler and has more jobs availible.

I found Anthro to be way too much like "Oh esteemed students, now let us examine the wonderfully curious Pygmies of West and sub-Saharan Africa. They require their boys to undergo (insert manhood ritual here) at age 15. How marvelously quaint!"

Stuffy white people talking about other civilizations like they have a right to judge them.


Then again, socio is full of liberal-left PC police.

[ChrisK]

I found Anthro to be way too much like "Oh esteemed students, now let us examine the wonderfully curious Pygmies of West and sub-Saharan Africa. They require their boys to undergo (insert manhood ritual here) at age 15. How marvelously quaint!"

Stuffy white people talking about other civilizations like they have a right to judge them.


Then again, socio is full of liberal-left PC police.

Weird I had the exact opposite experiance. That and I think your only looking at cultural anthropology. Personally I'm most interested in archeology, as it does apply to understanding how class societies form.

That and in cultural anthropology I think Marvin Harris got it right. Cultural materialism ftw.

[ChrisK]

Maybe physical anthropology. But I find it hard to imagine there'd be more job opportunities for a cultural anthropologist than a quantitative sociologist.

And archeology. The number of jobs in anthro come mostly through its sheer expanisveness in subject matter covered. Though I don't have solid numbers on actual job offerings, so it could have just been my prof talking.

[Invincible Summer]

Weird I had the exact opposite experiance. That and I think your only looking at cultural anthropology. Personally I'm most interested in archeology, as it does apply to understanding how class societies form.

That and in cultural anthropology I think Marvin Harris got it right. Cultural materialism ftw.

Ah yeah I took more of a cultural anthro class. I'm sure it varies a bit depending on your institution anyway.

Archaeology seems pretty cool though, have some friends who are into that stuff.



But yeah to the OP - my socio prof actually once said that unless you get a PhD in socio, you're most likely going to have to know how to bullshit your way through an interview... really play up your "critical thinking" skills. Otherwise, you'll end up working at Home Depot or something grumbling about consumerism and exploitation

[GPDP]

Hell, I'm a sociology major (well, along with political science), but I decided to take a cultural anthropology course this semester, and... I kiiiiiiiiiiinda feel like I should've majored in anthropology instead lol.

Don't get me wrong, I like sociology. But what I've encountered in anthro so far is pretty awesome. We actually had a lecture on capitalism the other day, and the professor was very spot on, since she approached it from a very materialist POV (she even identifies as a materialist in the Marxist sense, which tells me she might be somewhat of a socialist).

Still, political science owns both IMO. :D At least when it's not defending the status quo, of course, and thankfully, our political science department is quite progressive, so little of that goes on.

[Bilan]

sociology students represent

[Raúl Duke]

Hell, I'm a sociology major (well, along with political science), but I decided to take a cultural anthropology course this semester, and... I kiiiiiiiiiiinda feel like I should've majored in anthropology instead lol.

Don't get me wrong, I like sociology. But what I've encountered in anthro so far is pretty awesome. We actually had a lecture on capitalism the other day, and the professor was very spot on, since she approached it from a very materialist POV (she even identifies as a materialist in the Marxist sense, which tells me she might be somewhat of a socialist).

Still, political science owns both IMO. :D At least when it's not defending the status quo, of course, and thankfully, our political science department is quite progressive, so little of that goes on.

It's different here.

Our poli sci department is usually filled with people who want to be lawyers and later politicians, that's it. It's not progressive much and personally I find it less interesting and less potentially progressive than our sociology and anthropology departments. In fact, sometimes I get the feeling that I know more about left currents (socialism, communism, anarchism) than a poli sci professor (and that even a few of the history professors have better ideas on what the left is than poli sci professors here).

[jake williams]

It's different here.

Our poli sci department is usually filled with people who want to be lawyers and later politicians, that's it. It's not progressive much and personally I find it less interesting and less potentially progressive than our sociology and anthropology departments. In fact, sometimes I get the feeling that I know more about left currents (socialism, communism, anarchism) than a poli sci professor (and that even a few of the history professors have better ideas on what the left is than poli sci professors here).
I agree, political science is abysmal.

Anyway, my mom got a BA in sociology, and then was on welfare for several months, worked at Value Village for 8 years, finished there making about $10 an hour, and now works part time for just a little above minimum wage at the university library in town. But a PhD is a little different, especially if you have actual job skills and experience. There are lots of internships and such available during university. Take them, and you might actually do alright. Most of the non-academic jobs available to people with sociology degrees will be public sector, so keep that in mind.

[StalinFanboy]

it depends whether mcdonalds pays a living wage in your country. Personally i doubt it.

Devrim
hahahahahahahhahahahahahaha

[GPDP]

Well, I plan to become either a pol sci professor, or a high school history or government teacher, so I don't know if internships would help me out too much there.

Not like I could actually get one, considering my legal status...

[RHIZOMES]

I would recommend doing a BA in Sociology, get practical work experience at some shitty jobs for a few years, then pursue a Masters and PhD. That way if you fail you haven't spent several years doing something and having an empty CV.

[Dooga Aetrus Blackrazor]

Maybe it's because I'm in Canada. But the idea that some degrees don't get people above McDonald's confuses me. For the most part, a degree in anything will get you a boring but mediocre paying office job.

Sociology is likely going to be a difficult avenue to find employment in the field, but I'm not an expert. That' just the case for a lot of social sciences/arts. I'm not sure how much benefit post-graduate work would be in terms of financial reward.

I'm still finding out what I want to do in my life that's at least "practical." My ideal is a writer, which I can do on my own time. I need a day job long-term, and I hate almost everything. I hope I find something that peeks my interest.

I'd definitely say Sociology is workable. I'd say depending on where you live, here is how I would describe things:

1. Doctor: Easy to find work, High Pay.
2. Teacher: Easy to find work, so-so pay.
3. Sociology: Hard to find work, so-so pay.
4. Writer: Start building your box to live in.

[Devrim]

thats harsh man. i guess you prolly know the ins though, i am sure the communist movement has a huge influx of proletarianized liberal arts phds lol

I don't think it is harsh. It is realistic. What does this sort of education qualify you to do? I have no education. I left school at 15. I am a qualified bricklayer though, which I think is a lot more practically useful than a PHd in sociology.

Of course, you can teacher in a university and be an academic, but the nature of these things means that there are obviously a lot more students than academics and most of them don't get the chance.

Devrim

[Devrim]

Maybe it's because I'm in Canada. But the idea that some degrees don't get people above McDonald's confuses me. For the most part, a degree in anything will get you a boring but mediocre paying office job.

Yes, I was exagerating, but work, even in 'boring but mediocre paying office jobs' is getting more and more difficult to find.

Devrim

[Dermezel]

If money is your primary interest go into Industrial Engineering. That is the job of replacing workers with machines. There's almost always a market for it. That will be until the time they are wholly replaced by an AI.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/Dermezel/trends.png

Average salary 87,000 dollars per year and rapidly rising.

http://www.indeed.com/salary/Industrial-Engineer.html

Being a sociologist may be useful though in terms of advocating Marxism. In any case, most PH.d's get you is academic positions. Almost all academic positions entail a comfortable lifestyle.

Sociologist makes 79,000 dollars a year but growth is much less stable: http://www.indeed.com/salary?q1=sociologist&l1=

[RHIZOMES]

I don't think it is harsh. It is realistic. What does this sort of education qualify you to do? I have no education. I left school at 15. I am a qualified bricklayer though, which I think is a lot more practically useful than a PHd in sociology.

Of course, you can teacher in a university and be an academic, but the nature of these things means that there are obviously a lot more students than academics and most of them don't get the chance.

Devrim

In my country you can use a BA/Hons/Masters degree in Sociology to get a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching, with the subject being Social Studies. If you have a Postgrad Diploma in high school teaching in this country you are pretty much guaranteed employment.

[Guerrilla22]

If you get a phd in soc then you can teach soc at a university to work off the money you owe them for your degree.

[Glenn Beck]

If you get a phd in soc then you can teach soc at a university to work off the money you owe them for your degree.

Basically this. Although besides education it's a decent foundation for going into social work, criminology, public relations, and similarly soul crushing functions. I'm personally a sociology/social sciences dual major going into education, which has been my goal since the beginning so I was never particularly concerned.

A university degree of any kind will inevitably qualify you for some kind of lame white collar job, so the dead-end hell of entry level service sector jobs shouldn't be very prominent in your future regardless.

[GPDP]

What do you all think would be better: teaching at the college/university level, or at the high school level?

I particularly like the freedom that teaching at higher education level entails, but then again, by that time, students have been thoroughly indoctrinated, and it could make introducing them to radical leftist ideas (and make no mistake, I plan to make my political stance known) quite hard.

At least, that's the way I perceive things would go down.

[cb9's_unity]

I'm thinking that the only likely job for me to get out of university is to be a high school history teacher. For that reason i'm probably going to get a degree in some type of history. However does anyone know if you can be a history without explicitly having a history degree? Could I theoretically skate by with a political science degree?

[GPDP]

I'm thinking that the only likely job for me to get out of university is to be a high school history teacher. For that reason i'm probably going to get a degree in some type of history. However does anyone know if you can be a history without explicitly having a history degree? Could I theoretically skate by with a political science degree?

Pretty sure you can. The history taught at that level is rather general, and most likely anyone with a social sciences degree can get a job teaching history.

[Invincible Summer]

What do you all think would be better: teaching at the college/university level, or at the high school level?

I particularly like the freedom that teaching at higher education level entails, but then again, by that time, students have been thoroughly indoctrinated, and it could make introducing them to radical leftist ideas (and make no mistake, I plan to make my political stance known) quite hard.

At least, that's the way I perceive things would go down.

Not only that, but for high school teaching, you have to follow the curriculum pretty strictly, especially when you're a new teacher. Not much room for going against the flow

[Physicist]

Liberal arts professorships are increasingly hard to come by, but it's feasible if you're willing to move or teach at a community college. I would just recommend that you do your best to attain your degree at a relatively prestigious college (on a fellowship or scholarship) or you're wasting your breath. If you complete your PhD at one of the top 50 sociology programs, don't worry about landing a job, just where it will be.


I'm thinking that the only likely job for me to get out of university is to be a high school history teacher. For that reason i'm probably going to get a degree in some type of history. However does anyone know if you can be a history without explicitly having a history degree? Could I theoretically skate by with a political science degree?

It depends on where you live, but I know in many states your degree doesn't necessarily matter so long as you get certified in that particular subject. Also, if your state offers social studies certification and history education, take the former as it's nigh impossible to land a job these days with just a history background. American education lacks a focus on history, and school districts are increasingly devoted to stigmatizing the field further by deeming coaches historians. Keep in mind that English and history teachers are also struggling to find work in this economy, and that unless you're looking at middle school if you want to have a shot at landing a job do not go for alternative certification - do post-bacc. Alternative certification is only helpful for prospective math and science teacher.

I speak as someone double majoring in social studies and physics. At first I had my heart set on double majoring in history and philosophy, but this economy has really sucked the fun out of broadening one's education. (Not that I dislike physics; I'm more compelled to it than I was two years ago, but I'm more interested in the philosophical aspect of physics than the hard science)

[Dr Mindbender]

if becoming wealthy is your primary motive, academia isnt for you.

You'll see very few university deans and professors rubbing shoulder with the corporotocracy and upper enchelons of the upwardly-mobile. Capitalists dont care about trivial shit like the capacity for independent thought and articulation as long as you know how to make money.

Get into business or a soul-less promotion orientated sales company and climb the greasy pole.

[which doctor]

Department heads and deans can make a lot of money, sometimes several hundred thousand dollars a year, and perhaps a free mansion. But there's been a trend towards proletarianizing the academic workforce. Tenure-track posts are being gotten rid of in favor of part-time adjunct faculty, who often don't work enough hours to get benefits, nor do they make that much money. As an adjunct, you can expect to make between $30,000-$45,000 and you will have to pay for your health insurance out of your own pocket, and you won't have much room to move up the ladder.

[red cat]

So it's not that I'm retarded, I am just very weak in mathematical applications.



I love sociology. More so than being a medical doctor and having to go through more math!!!



Do not conclude that you are weak in math just because you could not pick up much from your college lectures. The stupid way in which they teach math almost everywhere is enough to instill fear about the subject into anyone.

Instead of avoiding math altogether, you can give it another try. Just try to forget what they taught you in college and start studying college algebra on your own afresh at leisure.

[RHIZOMES]

Department heads and deans can make a lot of money, sometimes several hundred thousand dollars a year, and perhaps a free mansion. But there's been a trend towards proletarianizing the academic workforce. Tenure-track posts are being gotten rid of in favor of part-time adjunct faculty, who often don't work enough hours to get benefits, nor do they make that much money. As an adjunct, you can expect to make between $30,000-$45,000 and you will have to pay for your health insurance out of your own pocket, and you won't have much room to move up the ladder.

My lecturer (who has a PhD) for "Race, Gender and Class in Australia and New Zealand" works two other jobs (which probably makes her more suitable to teach the subject), so yeah academia is definitely becoming increasingly proletarianized.

[Ligeia]

So whether I study history or sociology chances for working in this areas are dim?
And if I research history of the new times, to analyse actual stuff,...which one of the two would be suited better for this anyway?

I'd probably be studying history and geography or politics/economy(sociology) end of this year for a bachelor but I'll also want to achieve a master's degree but this is where I'd ultimately have to decide which career to study.

I don't want to make money, but I'd like to know how chances are for any of those to land in research (or whatelse is there to do with those degrees)?

[DreamWeaver]

Move to Europe, economical rewards are not so much related to what you major in. Basically everyone that has a university degree can get a (very) well paid job.

[Jazzratt]

Move to Europe, economical rewards are not so much related to what you major in. Basically everyone that has a university degree can get a (very) well paid job.

LOLWUT. Most of my mates with degrees are jobless or have relatively low paying jobs. Maybe they're anomolous though.

[Ligeia]

Move to Europe, economical rewards are not so much related to what you major in. Basically everyone that has a university degree can get a (very) well paid job.
I'm in Europe, still I've heard a lot of bad stories about people majoring in humanities e.g. like it's a guarantee to be jobless (at least for a long time).
Anyway, my question was whether there exists a possibility you could work in the field you've studied or if this is highly unlikely no matter what subject of the humanities you study.

[DreamWeaver]

Personally, I am a student of history and while I may not be guaranteed a job on my level when I get my doctoral, its extremely easy to find a job just below that level (still providing ample income). Even in these economic troubled times people that have a degree can get jobs in Western-Europe (add in the social healthcare and the relative leftwing politics and you're set).
Also, one more example, my significant other is a student of anthropology, the #1 major when it comes to difficulty finding a job. Because the degree proves that she is capable of doing a certain amount of work and is intelligent she will have no trouble finding work at all. I would say go for it, doing what you love is more important anyhow than practical obstacles.