Career and Scopes after MA Applied Sociology Course

The MA Applied Sociology Course is one of the most popular courses that is gaining a lot of importance in recent years. Many students are opting to join this course for the availability of a good number of job profiles in the field. The present article tries to explain more about the job roles available for MA Applied Sociology students

Social Worker

Social workers support individuals and their families that are going through difficult times and ensure that these vulnerable people are safeguarded from any harm.

Role of a Social Worker

As a social worker one is required to help improve outcomes in people’s lives. As a social worker one will work in a variety of settings within the framework of relevant legislation and procedures, supporting individuals, families and groups within the society.

Responsibilities of a Social Worker

As a social worker one is needed to:

• Conduct interviews with individuals and families to assess and review their situation
• Undertake and writing up assessments in collaboration with professionals which meet specified standards and timescales
• Offering information and support
• Organising and managing packages of support to enable people to lead the fullest lives possible
• Recommending and sometimes making decisions about the best course of action for a particular person or family
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports for legal actions
• Keep updated with the latest rules and regulations related to social work

Salary

• There are no fixed salaries for social workers, but they are paid stipends of 2 lakhs to 3 lakhs per annum
• If they work for an organisation then they can earn around 4 lakhs to 6 lakhs per annum

Community Development Worker

Community development is a platform to bring people together for a better cause. The role of community development worker is very challenging because he/she should be a selfless individual with a passion to assist others.

Role of a Community Development Worker

As a community development worker, one will help the communities to bring about social change and improve the quality of life in their local area. As a community development worker, one is required to work with individuals, families or whole communities and try to bring change in their lives.

Responsibilities of a Community Development Worker

As a community development worker, one will need to:

• Identify the community skills, assets, issues and needs
• Be an ear for the issues of the local people
• Develop new resources in dialogue with the community and evaluate existing programmes
• Solve the issues of local communities on behalf of their stakeholders
• Help to raise public awareness on issues relevant to the community
• Developing and implementing strategies to bring better lifestyle in communities
• Coordinating with the like-minded groups and stakeholders to set up new services
• Recruiting and training the paid and voluntary staff
• Encourage the participation in various community centric activities

Salary

• Starting salary will fall between 4 lakhs to 6 lakhs per annum for MA Applied Sociology freshers
• Salaries for experienced workers will be around 6 lakhs to 8 lakhs per annum

Career Advisor

Career advisors provide information, advice and guidance to help people make realistic choices about their education, training and work

Role of a Career Advisor

As a career advisor one is responsible to provide impartial job, training and study related advice in order to help clients make decisions about their future and reach full potential. They are required to cover many issues such as

• Options for suitable careers
• Writing a good Curriculum Vitae
• Job application process
• Current labour market
• Skill development programmes
• Suitable training programmes
• Available funding for courses and training

Responsibilities of a Career Advisor

As a career advisor one is needed to:

• Interview people one-to-one or in small groups to discuss their career or education options
• Listen to their ideas and career aims
• Identify skills gaps and how to deal with them
• Help clients identify and consider the range of choices available for them and outline possible ways forward
• Help clients develop their own career management skills
• Draw up action plans for employment, education, training and support the clients to achieve their goals
• Discuss with the clients how to overcome any barriers to reach their goals and refer them to other agencies for advice where appropriate
• Researching careers, options and support organisations to meet client needs
• Advising clients on how to source relevant training courses or qualifications and what funding might be available
• Help the clients to understand the current job markets
• Using computer aided guidance packages, skills assessment tools, career planners, psychometric tests and personal inventories

Salary

• Fresh MA Applied Sociology post graduates will earn nearly around 3 lakhs to 4 lakhs per annum as a Career Advisor
• Experienced professionals will easily earn about 5 lakhs to 7 lakhs per annum

Social Researcher

The social researchers are responsible to plan, design, conduct and manage social research projects, reporting on findings in order to shape policy or to examine the effectiveness of existing policy.

Role of a Social Researcher

As a Social Researcher one will be using a range of methods such as interviews, survey questionnaires and focus groups to investigate the attitudes, behaviour and experience of population samples on specific issues.

Responsibilities of a Social Researcher

As a social researcher one is needed to:

• Follow instructions from clients about the nature of the research to be carried out
• Use an appropriate and creative methodology to design and manage a research project, which may involve the use of quantitative and qualitative methods and may include both pilot and development work
• Design and write questionnaires and surveys
• Apply range of research techniques to gather relevant information including document analysis, surveys, case studies and interviews
• Develop and test theories
• Coordinate with and direct social research field interviewers to gather databases
• Analyse and evaluate research and interpret data using a range of statistical packages
• Gather information by directing or carrying out fieldwork
• Prepare, present, disseminate results in the form of reports
• Offer research-based briefings and advice, which may involve writing action plans

Salary

• The fresh MA Applied Sociology students will be earning around 5 lakhs to 7 lakhs per annum as a social researcher
• The experienced professionals will be earning around 6 lakhs to 8 lakhs per annum

Conclusion

The above mentioned are some of the important roles available for MA Applied Sociology students. The MA Applied Sociology students will be earning a decent salary and can also expect good career growth in the sector. The students who are compassionate towards the society and have the passion to work for the society can join MA Applied Sociology and do their bit to the society.