Sociologists attempt to understand the forces that mold individuals, shape behavior, and determine social events. Our program includes emphases on criminal justice, human services, and gerontology which help students learn oral and written communication skills, critical thinking skills, analytical skills, problem solving and pattern recognition, the ability to research using varied methods, and a
sensitivity to diverse cultural traditions and backgrounds. All of these skills, and more, help prepare students for many different jobs in a large number of fields, including law, policing and corrections, social welfare, business administration, education, communications, advocacy, and many more. The skills acquired by choosing a Sociology major provide a good grounding for students to better understand themselves and the world around them. This gives Sociologists a unique insight to the structures and hierarchies of the world, making them ideal candidates for jobs in a variety of careers. Sociology teaches many of the highly sought-after skills, including:
(a) Communications skills: the ability to express yourself verbally or in writing in clear, concise, and meaningful ways
(b) Computer literacy: familiarity with word processing, data entry and analysis, and graphics
(c) Cross-cultural understanding: the ability to understand variations in values, perceptions, and approaches to work that comes with differences in racial/ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexuality, ability, or class and gain a more global understanding, have a high degree of intercultural awareness, and are free from traditional stereotypes
(d) Interpersonal skills: the ability to share leadership, work cooperatively with others, work on task forces or teams but still initiate and pursue a project independently
(e) Research skills: the ability to define a problem or research question, design a study to find answers, carry out your research, and report on your findings using critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze, synthesize, and interpret information
NSU's Sociology program prepares students to work in areas they can apply the broad skills they learn through coursework. Our low faculty-to-student ratio means individualized attention for students inside and outside of the classroom. Through a thriving internship program, we help foster relationships for our students in the Aberdeen and South Dakota communities that facilitate application of sociological knowledge and cultivate career opportunities.
