Social Scientist Job Description
Social scientists are individuals who focus on all societal aspects such as human behavior, history and group relationships. They conduct many different types of research and complete fieldwork to gain a solid understanding of society. Social scientists are often employed by government agencies and colleges and universities.
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Duties
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A social scientist is concerned with a variety of different features of human society. He performs many different research tasks to gain further insight of how humans and groups interact, respond to change and make decisions. He evaluates information and data from current and past research and also examines historical documents and records. A social scientist uses his research to provide insight on a variety of factors such as the connection between the environment and human activity and cultural development over time. He also writes and presents reports of data and research findings.
Education
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A career as a social scientist generally requires a master's or doctoral degree in social science or other closely related field. Social science courses typically include psychology, sociology, research methods, mathematics and statistics. Many social science programs also require students to complete internships to gain hands-on experience in the field. Social scientists who intend to teach at the college level must have a doctoral degree. Many social scientists choose to specialize in a specific area such as archaeology, anthropology and geography. Social scientists are required to stay abreast of the current developments and technological advances, and continuing education is often required throughout their careers.
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Skills
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A social scientist must be able to effectively use computers for research tasks. His oral and written communication skills must be excellent and he must have the ability to discuss and report research results. Logical thinking, good problem solving and perseverance are necessary traits. A social scientist must also be able to adjust to unfamiliar surroundings to complete work tasks. Social scientists must be able to work independently, and as members of a team.
Career Outlook
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the employment of social scientists is anticipated to increase much faster than average for all professions, rising 22 percent from 2008 to 2018. The ever-increasing population and heightened demand for analysis of a variety of societal issues will fuel job growth.
Salary
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According to SimplyHired, as of June 2010, the average annual salary for all social scientists is $69,000. Average annual salaries for social scientists differ greatly based on many different factors such as employer, location, education and experience.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit scientist image by Stanisa Martinovic from Fotolia.com
