Your initial question was "Is sociology used more with anthropology or
marketing?" Sociology is useful in both areas, but I believe you'll
find that sociology, in relation to anthropology, tends to be more of
an academic discipline, while in the field of marketing there is more
emphasis on the "hands-on" approach of "applied sociology."
In today's media-intensive age, sociology and marketing are quite
interwoven with one another, both in the academic world and in the
business world. I've gathered some information that I hope you'll find
useful.
"Using Sociology in the Workplace
David Francis
Senior Manager of Strategy and Research
The Toro Co.
I'm an SCSU Applied Sociology and Mathematics graduate from the late
80's. Currently I work for the Toro Company - the people that made
your childhood miserable by manufacturing lawn mowers that wouldn't
break down and give you a break from your chores. I work in the
marketing department of Toro's consumer division. I'm responsible for
helping plot the strategic direction for the company, monitoring
market conditions, monitoring our competition, understanding the
consumer, marketing research, and managing the division's E-commerce
activity. This is a somewhat different job than what most sociology
students think about when considering a degree or career in sociology.
I love the sociological thought process and the sociological way of
looking at the world - which is why I pursued a degree in sociology.
However, when I was preparing for life in the 'real world,' I had
difficulty applying this into something that I could actually make a
living from until I realized that there is really very little
difference between sociology and marketing. Obviously, they seek very
different outcomes - some type of social intervention, policy, or
understanding, versus selling a product or service. The methods and
techniques through which we arrive at these different endings,
however, are the same."
Sociologists of Minnesota: Using Sociology in the Workplace
http://www.thundercom.net/som/student2.html
"What area of sociology do you like?
ONE MAJOR ......... SO MANY PATHS
1. If it is sociology of culture, for example -- there are many big
advertising firms that have 'research' departments who study and
analyze ads and cultural climate in order to produce successful ad
campaigns and increase sales of the product. In addition, there are
companies that are called, 'market research' companies. They study
consumer behavior and track consumer trends in interviews and through
observation. They study anything from people's preferences and
reactions to a commercial to what kinds of people give to charities
and what kinds do not so that the charities can target their campaigns
better. If you like designing surveys or if you like administering
them (focus groups, 1:1, etc.) this might be an interesting field to
explore, as well. It is really eye opening to see some consumer
thoughts and
responses.
2. If you are interested in culture, but not the 'for profit' type, or
you hate the idea of sociological methods being used to manipulate the
masses, you can look into research placements at the 'think tanks'.
Each of them have web sites ---- among them Rand organization
(California); many in Washington -- Brookings, Urban Institute, and so
on. These folks hire research assistants (straight out of college --
BA required) and are eager for your skills. Ideally, I suggest trying
to get an internship at one of these places for a summer and see how
it works out.
3. Do you like deviance and social control? Ever thought about working
for the FBI? They are interested in your research skills as well and
they offer summer internships (which I think are pretty competitive).
If you can speak more than one language fluently -- you have a better
shot there.
4. I work at a social science research and consulting firm. There are
few of these in existence. The web site is www.abtassoc.com. Take a
look if you get a chance -- if for nothing else than to see what
social science research firms do in the world."
The College of New Jersey Sociology Department: Career Page
http://sociology.department.tcnj.edu/Careerpage/Careers/SOCIAL.HTM
"Applied Sociology is a branch of sociology concerned with mobilizing
scientific principles and procedures in the interest of problem
solving. Many applied sociologists conduct evaluation research. Some
are policy specialists. Still others engage in specific problem
solving in organizational settings. Their work is informed by social
theories and existing bodies of empirical research findings.
For example, applied sociologists use their knowledge and skills to:
Evaluate the efficacy of various educational policies/programs
Investigate the social norms promoting or inhibiting the spread of
AIDS Evaluate and assess the efficacy of various criminal justice
programs Analyze employment records for evidence of discrimination
Plan medical services and facilities for a target population
According to the American Sociological Association, the Applied M.A.
is currently the most marketable degree in Sociology. Master's-level
sociologists find employment in a wide range of settings as planners,
program development specialists, researchers, policy analysts,
community outreach coordinators, data analysts, human resource
directors and the like. Settings in which applied sociologists
typically find work include research organizations, community
agencies, government bureaus and programs, school systems, medical
facilities, courts and private businesses."
Montclair State University: WHAT IS APPLIED SOCIOLOGY?
http://www.montclair.edu/Pages/Sociology/main.html
"In applied settings, sociology practitioners work in research
departments in corporations and participate in organizational analysis
and development. They engage in research and strategic planning in
corporate departments of human resources, industrial relations, public
relations, and marketing. Some are supervisors, managers, and
directors of large organizations. Others establish their own
consulting and research companies or serve as staff researchers in
private research firms and think tanks.
The practitioner's life is appealing to those who like the challenge
of applying knowledge to everyday problems, and seeing immediate
outcomes of their work.
Monetary rewards are usually generous, especially at the top of the
career ladder. Opportunities for decision-making increase as one's
responsibility and experiences broaden. Practitioners often adhere to
an established work schedule, work cooperatively as part of a team,
and work in bureaucracies. They blend research skills and substantive
area knowledge into a powerful combination. For example:
A sociologist serving as vice president for research in a large
insurance company applies both methodological expertise and
understanding of ethnicity and gender in developing staff training
programs and employee benefit packages.
A sociologist specializing in urban and community research consults
for a multinational corporation developing new towns.
A sociologist in a large advertising company supervises marketing
research operations and organizational development workshops."
American Sociological Association: Sociological Roles Relating to
Business, Industry, and Work
http://www.asanet.org/page.ww?section=Careers+and+Jobs&name=Sociological+Roles+Relating+to+Business%2C+Industry%2C+and+Work
In addition to the article linked above, the American Sociological
Association has a wealth of further information about careers in
sociology:
American Sociological Association: Careers in Sociology
http://www.asanet.org/page.ww?section=Careers+and+Jobs&name=Careers+in+Sociology
Skidmore College has an informative page of links related to career
advice for sociology majors:
Skidmore College: Majors and Careers: Sociology
http://www.skidmore.edu/administration/career/majors/sociology.html
I'd like to put in a special good word for Duke University, since my
beloved and brilliant brother-in-law is on the staff of its Sociology
Department. Duke has an interesting page on sociology as a career
path:
Duke University Sociology Department: Careers of Sociology Majors
http://www.soc.duke.edu/undergraduate/soc_careers.html
Regarding colleges with well-known sociology departments, here's a
huge alphabetical list of schools which offer sociology as a major
field of study:
US News: Schools by major: Sociology
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/majors/brief/major_45-11_brief.php
To narrow that list down to a more manageable size, here are the
schools that were the top twenty in the US News "Top Graduate Programs
in Sociology 2006":
University of Wisconsin ? Madison
University of California ? Berkeley
University of Michigan ? Ann Arbor
University of Chicago
University of North Carolina ? Chapel Hill
Princeton University (NJ)
Stanford University (CA)
Harvard University (MA)
University of California ? Los Angeles
University of Pennsylvania
Columbia University (NY)
Indiana University ? Bloomington
Northwestern University (IL)
Cornell University (NY)
Duke University (NC)
University of Texas ? Austin
Pennsylvania State University ? University Park
University of Arizona
University of Washington
Ohio State University
Southwestern University: Rankings of Top Graduate Programs in
Anthropology and Sociology
http://www.southwestern.edu/academic/depts/socanthro/rankings.htm
My Google search strategy:
Google Web Search: "sociology and marketing"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22sociology+and+marketing%22
Google Web Search: "careers in sociology"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22careers+in+sociology%22
Google Web Search: "best schools OR colleges OR universities" sociology
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22best+schools+OR+colleges+OR+universities%22+sociology
I hope this helps! If anything is unclear or incomplete, or if a link
doesn't work for you, please request clarification; I'll be glad to
offer further assistance before you rate my answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |
