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INTRODUCTION
Major Points To Consider
- Careers involve major research work
- Social Scientist requires an understanding of human behaviour in scientific perspective and an appreciation of the relevancy of science
- Social Science comprise the application of scientific methods to the study of the human aspects of the world
Nature of job
What do people in social science do?
People in the social science field study all aspects of society, from past
events and achievements of human behaviour and relationships among groups.
The term social science itself is very wide as it touches on all areas related to “soft sciences”, that is, the scientific perspective of human behaviour. Students can major in various fields and gain employment as anthropologists, archaeologists, geographers, historians, political scientists, social scientists, sociologists and even economists and market/survey researchers. Psychologists are also ‘made’ from the study of one discipline of social science.
Depending on their type of jobs, people in social science may need a wide range of personal characteristics. Intellectual curiosity and creativity are fundamental personal traits for social scientists as they are constantly seeking new information about people, things and ideas. The ability to think logically and methodically is very important, especially for those in political science who must compare the merits of various forms of government, among other duties. Objectivity, open-mindedness and systematic work habits are important in all kinds of social science research.
A career in social science requires one to have excellent written and oral communication skills.
So, what exactly does the work entail?
Research work is a major activity for many of them and their researches are very
valuable. They study, analyse and through their research and analysis, they
suggest solutions to social, business, personal, governmental and environmental
problems. Their research also help people to understand different ways in which
individuals and groups make decisions, exercise power and respond to change.
Interviews and surveys are some of the methods used to collect facts, opinions and other information. It may even involve living and working among the population being studied. Other methods of collection of data include performing field investigations; analysing historical records and documents; experimenting with human or animal subjects in a laboratory; administering standardised tests and questionnaires; preparing and interpreting maps and computer graphics; etc. Although the specialisation in social science varies greatly, there may be occasions where specialists in one field may find their researches overlap work being conducted in another discipline.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Employment and places of work
Most careers in social science require the person to work regular hours, behind
a desk and normally alone or in teams of other social science workers or social
scientists. They also read and write research articles / reports. In situations
where deadlines and tight schedules must be met, social scientists may find
themselves pressured and working overtime.
A social science worker is normally an integral part of a research team. Travel may be necessary to collect information or attend meetings. Social science workers who do fieldwork like anthropologist assistants, anthropologists, archaeologist assistants and archaeologists must also adjust to unfamiliar cultures, climates and languages as part of their job may involve living among the people they are studying or staying for a long period at the site of their investigations. In such cases, social science workers may work under rugged conditions or be involved in strenuous physical exertion.
On the contrary, those working in colleges and universities like lecturers or assistants, have flexible work schedules, often dividing their time among teaching, research, writing, consulting, or administrative responsibilities.
Meanwhile, those working in higher positions in colleges and universities as well as top-level non-academic research and administrative positions will require Ph.D or equivalent degree. Master’s Degree holders may find themselves in teaching capacities in community colleges or other teaching positions.
Areas Covered By Programmes
Social science courses normally expose students to tools for analyzing human
actions, enabling them to understand and apply a scientific approach in the
study of contemporary individual and social issues, problems as well as their
own lives. The curriculum will instill critical thinking and understanding of
human action and interaction with other humans and their environment.
Programmes will expose students to the fast changing environment, current events and issues, ways to attune to and influence lifestyles to current issues and literature relevant to the particular social science discipline. Students will develop critical thinking and writing skills as well as apply scientific methods and theories to analyse human actions.
Local and international courses cover areas like Behavioral Science; Addiction Counseling; Counseling; Marriage and Family Services; Professional Counseling; Rehabilitative Science; School Counseling; Economics; History; Human Services; Communications; Journalism; Linguistics; International Affairs; Political Science; Social Sciences; Sociology; Women's Studies; etc.
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