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SOCIOLOGY CAREER GUIDE 2020/2021 Sociology2 Success at School is a national careers website for students aged 11-19, as well as their teachers, careers advisors, parents and other influencers. Young people can learn about their future career options through no-nonsense careers advice related to their own experiences. As well as covering topics such as career paths, industries, apprenticeships, university and employability skills, we connect schools and students to employers and universities through opportunities on our site and our interactive forums. Millions of young people and their influencers have visited our site for advice and information to help them plan for the future. Go to successatschool.org for more information. Copyright Success at School Ltd 2020 AboutSuccess at School Totally and distinctively independent of government, the National Audit Office (NAO) scrutinises public spending for Parliament and investigates major government projects and programmes. This means they work for, and for the good of, all citizens in our country. NAO’s very successful ACA professional apprenticeship will equip you with the chartered accountancy qualification and membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). NAO’s apprenticeship will give you the opportunity to make a real difference to their huge range of clients but also to the nation. It will help you develop your skills as a professional, a manager and a leader and equip you for a fantastic career. So be part of a much bigger picture at the National Audit Office (NAO). Aboutour sponsor3 SOCIOLOGY CAREER GUIDE Contents 05 What is sociology? 06 How will sociology prepare me for work? 10 Should I choose sociology? 12 T-levels 15 Job roles 18 How to future-proof your career 14 Why work experience matters 20 NAO profile 32 Everything you need to know about gap years 22 Spotlight job 34 University 24 Interviews 28 ApprenticeshipsFrom: HR To: Team Subject: Virtual Coffee Hi Everyone, Hope you’re all doing ok. It’s a difficult time. Let’s have a video call later to properly catch up. 4 Deciding on which A Level subjects to study is an important decision and will help you consider whether you want to attend university afterwards or instead embark on an apprenticeship. So, what is sociology? In a nutshell it is the study of society. It is challenging, it is diverse, but it is also a stimulating subject to study and will help equip you for a range of career paths. Studying sociology will give you the opportunity to cover a wide range of different topics and explore contemporary society. It will help raise your awareness of the importance of social structure and it will help you understand how and why people interact with others as they do. It will also increase your understanding of the impact that gender, ethnicity, religion and social class can have. Sociology will equip you with a wide range of skills and may see you go into a career in fields such as charity organisations, social work, market research, government roles and more. Skills including critical thinking and problem solving, interpersonal skills and communication skills are what we look for at the National Audit Office (NAO). You will be able to use these skills to ask your clients the right questions to get the relevant information so you can present clear conclusions that are easy to understand. You will tap into your confident communication skills to demonstrate that you can actively listen to your clients and team members needs and opinions and respond accordingly. Sociology will help you understand the bigger picture and in turn help your understanding of how wider issues affect the National Audit Office’s work. I wish you lots of luck in your future education and employment choices. Zoe Galang NAO Graduate and apprentice recruitment specialist Foreword We now have a work from home policy for employees5 Why is it so important to understand how other people experience society differently to you? How can governments encourage people to wear face masks and follow social distancing rules to prevent the spread of Covid-19? How can we strengthen people’s social ties to help them feel part of the society they live in? Understanding sociology is important to tackling all these questions. Sociology is the study of society including human interactions and behaviour within it. It also explores our social relationships and how we interact in small groups or one-on-one. You’ll learn to use research methods and analyse data to find solutions to a range of issues facing society today. Because sociology is such a broad subject it opens up a very wide range of career options. You could become a social researcher, where you collect the data and information needed to inform decisions about social policy. Or you could work within the civil service where you are shaping government policies. You might become an HR manager, where you’re helping people interact and develop in the workplace. The communication skills you develop studying sociology will mean you’re suited to any job where you work with people. You could become a youth worker or a charity fundraiser. Your analysis and research skills will help if you become a data analyst. What is sociology? GOV.UK ALERT CORONAVIRUS New rules in force now: You must stay at home. More info Text Message Stay alert, control the virus, save lives6 5 workplace skills you’ll learn in sociology Analysis In class: You’ll learn to analyse sociological theories and concepts, as well as how to build your argument and make your point. You’ll also learn to analyse evidence and research methods to help you draw critical conclusions about different theories. At work: Many jobs require you to be analytical. If you’re a catastrophe modelling analyst, you’ll analyse computer models to predict the outcomes of different hazards and report your findings to governments and insurers. Crime scene investigators analyse physical evidence and use this, along with the likes of witness statements, to draw conclusions about what happened. How will sociology prepare me for work? Communication In class: You’ll share your perspectives on different theories and use evidence to support your arguments. You might be part of a debate with your classmates, or you could be sharing your findings in a presentation or an essay. You’ll also be encouraged to listen to evaluate others’ perspectives and work in a team on group projects. At work: If you become an HR manager, you’ll be dealing with people all the time and your sociology knowledge will help. You’ll need to communicate clearly and concisely both in person and in written reports. If you work as a PR executive, you’ll need to produce written press releases, as well as speak to journalists to encourage them to report on a story. Problem solving In class: You’ll use evidence and research to help you understand social issues and look for new ways of tackling them. You’ll explore social policies and gain an understanding of how governments deal with social issues on a national scale. At work: If you’re a special educational needs coordinator, you’ll need to find ways to help children of varying abilities to learn and interact with the world. You’ll approach problems in a creative way to find solutions. If you become a water engineer, you’ll have to solve problems around water supplies to find the most efficient and sustainable way to provide communities with water. Research In class: You’ll learn about the varied research methods you can use to collect data, such as interviews and surveys. You’ll also learn how to assess secondary data, such as statistics, and when you should use this to support your arguments. You’ll explore the factors that influence the design and conduct of sociological research too. At work: You could combine your knowledge of sociology and research methods in a role as a town planner, where you need to carry out research and consider various factors when making planning decisions. Or you could develop a career as a market researcher, where you’re conducting interviews and surveys to gather data about consumer habits. Cross-cultural understanding In class: In the classroom you’ll develop your sociological awareness and a respect for social diversity. As you learn about social issues and situations, you’ll realise how complex they can be and learn to approach them from a variety of perspectives. You’ll explore how different cultures react differently in certain social situations. At work: Welfare officers will interact with people from various communities and backgrounds. You need to be sensitive to different cultures and be aware of how people from other cultures may behave or think differently to you. If you become a journalist, you’ll need to write about a variety of topics and show an awareness of cultural differences both within the UK and around the world.7 SOCIOLOGY CAREER GUIDE ...and 2 you may not have thought of Adaptability In class: You’ll explore a wide range of social issues in class. You’ll explore different ways of communicating and sharing your research and arguments with others, as well as choosing the most appropriate for your research. At work: Workplaces are changing more quickly than ever before. If you’re an organisational change manager, you need to identify opportunities for change and help businesses and their staff adapt. International aid workers travel to different places and provide support to different communities. You’ll need to adapt your approach to suit various cultures and situations. Critical thinking In class: You’ll develop your critical-thinking skills and apply these to current sociological issues that affect society as a whole. You’ll be encouraged to think creatively about common perceptions of the social world and evaluate the significance of them in today’s world. You’ll also think about your own identity, roles and responsibilities within society. At work: Critical thinking is a skill that many employers are looking for. Risk managers need to assess the risks an organisation faces and make recommendations of how to mitigate them. Community development workers have to evaluate issues within a community to find the most suitable ways to encourage social change and improve people’s lives. People Platform P rogramme Community developmen t t o g e th e r8 Explore global development from different sociological perspectives. Develop your knowledge of issues such as development, under-development and global inequality. Gain an understanding of how globalisation has had an impact on the cultural, political, social and economic relationships between different societies. It’s more important than ever before to think about how decisions made in one country or region can affect others. If you’re a procurement manager, you’ll need to research products and services to help choose the most suitable ones for your organisation. You might need to consider where these come from and how they’re produced to follow sustainability criteria. If you work as a diplomat, you’ll have to be aware of how international policy decisions might affect the UK’s relationship with the country you’re based in. You’ll also need to be aware of the cultural conduct expected in different countries. KnowledgeHow will it help me at work? Learn about poverty in contemporary societies and how it is defined. Explore various responses and solutions to poverty from both national governments and voluntary organisations. Understand the impact of working, or being without work, on people’s wealth and how broader concepts such as globalisation can affect people’s jobs and ability to earn money. Poverty is a global problem with no simple solutions. If you become a housing manager, you’ll generally be providing support to those who live in social housing and working closely with tenants and landlords to ensure rent is paid and properties are maintained. Or you could work as an international development officer for a charity or organisation that supports initiatives to help people around the world lift themselves out of poverty. Gain knowledge of various research methods and research design. Learn about the difference between qualitative and quantitative research and when each is appropriate. Understand the various sources of data you can use for sociological research, including interviews, questionnaires, official statistics and participant and non- participant observation, as well as the practical and ethical implications of these. Be able to distinguish between primary and secondary data and use both to help you form conclusions. There are many jobs that rely on data and information these days. Economists carry out research relating to the economy to help them predict how different industries or countries may perform in the coming months or years. A user researcher will use different research methods to understand how consumers use a product or service and help highlight potential improvements. 5 ways your sociology know-how will help you at work Just popping by from the local housing association9 SOCIOLOGY CAREER GUIDE Develop your understanding of crime, deviance, social order and social control in a sociological context. Explore the social distribution of crime and identify patterns and trends. Look at globalisation and crime in contemporary society. This may involve learning about green crime, state crime and human rights. Learn how the criminal justice system works and find out more about crime control, surveillance and prevention methods. If you work as a probation officer, you’ll be helping those recently released from prison to integrate back into communities. You’ll work with them to prevent reoffending. Or you could work as a victim care officer, where you’re providing support to those who have been the victims of crime. KnowledgeHow will it help me at work? Explore the social construction of health, illness, disability and the body. Learn how your social class, gender, ethnicity and the region you live in within the UK can play a role in your chances of suffering from health problems. Look at the nature and social distribution of mental illness. Learn about inequalities in terms of the provision of and access to healthcare in contemporary societies. Health improvement officers encourage people to live healthier lives. This often involves working in communities that are of a higher risk of developing certain health issues. As a GP practice manager, you may need to consider how to reach out to patients from different demographics within your community. Public health information officers are particularly important following the Covid-19 pandemic as they share updates on vital public health guidance across the UK. I’ve had my flu jab. Have you had yours?Next >