Across the nation, politicians are interfering in educational decisions that should appropriately be made by subject matter experts. Educational gag order laws have been passed or are under consideration in many states. Several states have executive orders or other forms of policy restricting what can be taught in classrooms. At the heart of these gag orders are the subject matters many sociologists teach, including inequality, race, gender, and sexuality. The current political movement against so-called “divisive concepts” is in fact an existential threat to our discipline.
At the same time, budget challenges, leadership or governance transitions, enrollment shifts, political pressures, and myriad other factors can lead institutions to reevaluate programmatic emphases and, sometimes, to consider cutting entire departments from their offerings.
The sociology-specific talking points below can be used to help defend against these threats.
Talking Points
How do sociology graduates contribute to the scientific workforce?
When responding to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) Job Outlook 2024 survey, employers identified problem-solving skills, written and verbal communication skills, analytical/quantitative skills, and the ability to work in a team as among the top ten attributes they seek when hiring new employees. But employers also report that it is difficult to find college graduates with these skills. Each year, tens of thousands of new sociology graduates bring these vital skills (and many other skills) to the workplace.
- Research and Data Analysis: Sociology students gain a foundation in research and data analysis that equips them to collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data, to make evidence-based decisions, and then to communicate their results to broad audiences. Indeed, sociology is a STEM discipline, one that builds social scientific skills.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Sociology graduates can analyze complex issues, identify root causes, and develop evidence-based solutions. This skill set is invaluable in addressing societal challenges.
- Cultural Competence: Sociology students explore diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, which enables them to engage effectively with individuals and communities from many different backgrounds. In every workplace, it is critical to have workers who have cultural competence, particularly in our diverse and global society.
- Understanding of Social Institutions: Sociology is the social science discipline that incorporates an analysis of all social institutions, including workplaces, politics, health, law, education, family, media. Sociology gives students a deeper understanding of how society works, which informs their ability to progress and lead in many different fields.
- Effective Communication: Sociology majors can articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively, whether in writing or verbally. This proficiency is indispensable in conveying ideas, advocating for change, and fostering understanding in diverse settings. Sociology students develop skills that allow them to contribute their insights to discussions on pressing societal issues.
These skills are valuable in all employment sectors—nonprofit, private, and public. Sociology graduates hold all kinds of jobs, including policy analyst, market researcher, nonprofit advocate, trainer, writer, social services professional, project manager, teacher, and many, many others. And they are an excellent fit for jobs in education, medicine, law, philanthropy, politics, business, and countless other arenas.
- Graduates can develop programs that help society progress, for example in nonprofit organizations or political offices.
- Sociology is a core social science that provides methodological training, teaching students to develop, conduct, and analyze research. Graduates can conduct market and user experience research that is critical to business operations.
- Sociology provides students with a scientific understanding of the complex issues confronting society, allowing them to analyze public policy issues, develop strong, socially beneficial programs, and help drive better policy decisions in such diverse areas as immigration, healthcare, climate change, housing, law enforcement, and many others.
- Sociology provides students with a high degree of cultural competence, allowing them to become especially strong and inclusive team members, teachers, and leaders.
How does sociology benefit higher education institutions?
- Tens of thousands of students graduate each year with an undergraduate degree in sociology, providing U.S. institutions with a significant revenue stream. While students rarely enter universities understanding what sociology is, many students find sociology in college and see it as deeply empowering to them. When students are connected in this way to their studies, research shows that they are more likely to complete their degree.
- Sociology draws diverse students, including many students from first-generation backgrounds, students from communities that have been underserved, students from low-income backgrounds, and, in fact, students from all backgrounds. Because sociology appeals to so many different kinds of students, the institution benefits from a greater diversity of thought and perspectives.
- Sociology is a cross-disciplinary field and helps develop skills that students need to succeed in many different workplaces. Indeed, many other disciplines rely on sociology for critical education for their own students. For example, sociology content knowledge makes up nearly 10 percent of the MCAT, the medical school entrance exam. Likewise, the education of students in business, law, marketing, education, and other disciplines is regularly enhanced by sociology coursework.
- Sociology helps advance university interdisciplinary initiatives, including those related to research and teaching. A sociological perspective is vital to interdisciplinary efforts to understand and create technology, address climate change, and explore many other kinds of questions that require an understanding of human behavior and social institutions. Research projects proposed by interdisciplinary teams are among those most sought after and likely to be supported by external funders. And, having faculty who secure large, competitive external grants helps to both support paid assistantships and increase university standing.
- The skills and knowledge gained by sociology students make them particularly attractive to employers, helping to raise the institution’s stature.
Useful Links
Sociologists on the Value of Their Work to Society
Former Students’ Perspectives on the Value of Sociology
Communicating Effectively with Legislators
Writing a Compelling Op-Ed to Demonstrate the Value of Sociology
