If you didn’t already know, social sciences explore different aspects of human society. If you pursue a graduate job in social sciences, you might go in a variety of different directions.
For instance, you might be conducting research into subjects such as economics, anthropology, geography, politics or sociology, and then using this information to advise and guide companies or individuals.
You might also stay in higher education and pursue an academic research route.
What are the main branches of social sciences?
One of the main branches of social science that people look to get into is economics. The main aim of economists is to research and evaluate economic developments and theories with the intention of applying them to practical situations. It’s all about using this information to advise companies and make reports on how these economic trends will affect them.
If you become a superstar economist, you might be assisting government departments, investment banks, retail banks, accountancy firms or other blue chip companies.
Another popular road to travel within the social science careers is into the field of geography. The disciplines included in this area of work range massively and can focus on cultural, economic, historical or social geography. A lot of people who specialise in the geographical side of social sciences go on to become lecturers and authors on the subject.
The majority of people who study the psychological side of social sciences eventually work in healthcare, social care and welfare professions. For more information on careers associated with psychology, check out the Psychological Sciences subsector now!
What do I need to work in social sciences?
In whatever field of social science you pursue, a lot of your workload will focus around carrying out research and creating reports. The results of this social science research can help all kinds of characters, from politicians to investment bankers.
As you can probably tell, you will need excellent research skills to pursue a career in one of the social sciences. A lot of the work revolves around creating projects and researching different sociological issues, before reporting the information back to your employer for their benefit. It’s therefore imperative to possess good communication skills, so that you can present your findings to clients and colleagues.
Most employers in any of the industries mentioned in this article will require a university degree, as well as work experience in the relevant sector. In order to gain the latter you should write articles on topical issues for the student newspaper, create a blog or start up a debate team. Essentially, if there’s anything you can do to set you apart from the other candidates, then you should give it a go.
As you can see, social sciences encompasses a broad range of subjects, which means there’s a lot of scope for what sectors you can work in, as well as the potential to stay in the academy. If you enjoy having your head stuck in a book or facing a laptop, jotting down notes, researching, analysing, collating, evaluating and bringing it all together in a logical, structured manner, this may be the career path for you.