BS in social science?

February 8, 2006 9:42 AM

What, really, in the world can I do with a BS in social science?

I am almost done with college and starting to realize that my real world job hunting skills are not exactly stellar. Fluffy job websites through the school seem a little more optimistic than they really should be--i.e., easily getting into and making a buttload of cash in education.

Staying in college for another degree is not something I want to do at the moment.

This is anon for personal reasons.

posted by anonymous to work & money (14 comments total)

I have a BS in history, and ended up as a programmer...dont really know how I got here...

If you aren't interested in pursuing grad school, take a look at various government jobs. Many of them are not picky about what your degree is in, only that you have a BS or BA. Check http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov

Good luck!
posted by stupidcomputernickname at 9:55 AM on February 8, 2006

Is your degree in a particular social science (psychology, sociology, social work, anthropology)? I didn't know you could get a BS in "social science" in general (I think you can get an education degree with that as a focus).
posted by wheat at 10:17 AM on February 8, 2006

My mother got her first BS in anthropology, but ended up first as a photographer and is now a nurse / nursing instructor (she teaches the RN program at a local community college). However, in order to get and keep her position she's had to get numerous additional degrees (in education and nursing, of course), so maybe it's not the best example.
posted by cyrusdogstar at 10:20 AM on February 8, 2006

It's a liberal arts degree, and (as far as employment goes) is training you to be a general-purpose information-processor and communicator.

Short answer: cubicle monkey, starting analyst of some sort, etc, then work your way up.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:24 AM on February 8, 2006

At least you have a BS instead of a BA. Above all do something that interests you even if you have to start a little on the low end. Trying to decide on a career direction without previous experience is scary. Sometimes it is better to do that before you go to school. Figure what classes interested in you most and try to find out what real world jobs might fit that interest. Also determine the basics, like do you want to relocate and how much salary you can live on.
posted by JJ86 at 10:24 AM on February 8, 2006

Industrial psych. Organizational psych. Corporate anthropologist. You can find organizations of these folks by googling these terms. Of course, most jobs will be for folks with advanced degrees, so... how about grad school?
posted by ubi at 10:26 AM on February 8, 2006

Uh, sorry, somehow I missed the "...Staying in college..." part of your post. Sorry.
posted by ubi at 10:27 AM on February 8, 2006

p.s., the CIA is looking for new talent....
posted by JJ86 at 10:27 AM on February 8, 2006

Anon can't answer the question above. But I don't think it matters -- that's not the right question. A good social science education will prepare you for anything. You're qualified to do anything, not nothing!

Nobody does what it says on their diploma (i.e., most biologists don't do biology, most people who study film theory in (undergraduate) school don't become film theorists). The exception is engineers of course. And maybe cs majors. But seriously, do not think that you need to find a job whose requirement is "BA degree in Social Science."

Just think about what you want to do and start looking for jobs doing it. People with social science degrees become: sales people, marketing people (I won't call them marketroids), advertising people (copy writer), trainers (like a corprate teacher), HR minions, managers (project, program, product), journalists, and business owners. They probably also become (or work as) waiters, bar tenders, actors, flight attendants, scientists, engineers (usually with more school), designers, and astronauts.
posted by zpousman at 10:29 AM on February 8, 2006

I've got a BA in Film Studies: I taught ESL, did PR for a while, then corporate training, now I'm a business analyst for an IT consulting firm, which finally feels like a good fit for my skills and needs. Kind of a long and winding road. I feel your pain.

Looking back I'd agree with JJ86 - I wish I had gone hard for a really low-level job - even an internship - in something I really felt passionate about (public radio!) when I was young enough for it to have made sense.

Also, on a tangent, bartending was very very good to me when I was in and just out of school. That was pretty social, even if the only science was mixology.
posted by ubi at 10:36 AM on February 8, 2006

zpousman, on preview, have you been reading my resume/mail?
posted by ubi at 10:37 AM on February 8, 2006

"What Color is Your Parachute" might be worth a look.
posted by craniac at 11:25 AM on February 8, 2006

Just to echo zpousman and ubi, I don't think that such a background necessarily limits you. I got a BA in English and went on to medical school and beyond, and some of my classmates also majored in a non-science field.

Whatever you want to go in to, think about what you can bring with your background, and communicate that to whatever business/grad school/person you're looking to join.

Best of luck!
posted by herrdoktor at 2:14 PM on February 8, 2006

What can I do with a Sociology degree? Could help.
posted by jetskiaccidents at 5:24 PM on February 8, 2006