A world of opportunity for Social Science Graduates

26 May 2017

Prospective students looking for positive job prospects post-graduation should seriously consider the Social Science field. The broadness of many Social Science programs exposes students to a wide-range of disciplines and knowledge that have practical applications in many careers.

Collectively, the Social Sciences encompass any effort to study society and human relationships, with the unifying principle to understand the world we live in from a variety of perspectives. This attention to a broad range of points of view prepares students for a myriad of potential careers.

In the modern and increasingly globalized world, many businesses include overseas operations or at the very least maintain foreign clients, and the explosion of online commerce has only sought to accentuate this international spread. Graduates who are able to demonstrate an understanding of different cultures and propose well-rounded and considered solutions to difficult problems will be sought ahead of those with a narrower world view.

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The Social Sciences also equip graduates with a raft of invaluable transferrable skills that are valued in any field and any company worldwide. A strong emphasis is placed on various forms of communication, in-depth research and analysis, report writing, and delivering presentations. These are skills that have applications in fields like communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, advertising, and more.

Above all, Social Scientists are trained to be problem solvers. They examine some of the most complicated issues of our world and strive to propose innovative solutions. Matters as significant as global climate change, gender inequality, deforestation, and human rights violations will be a focus for students wanting to understand the complexities of society and the world we live in.

The idea is to challenge students to examine the world around them and think about how it could be better. In most industries, there are few skills that are more valuable than the ability to solve difficult issues.

From solving global problems to embracing diverse cultures, Social Scientists bring the world together. If you’re fascinated with the way humans interact, a degree in Social Science could be right for you.

Here are 5 universities offering world-class social science courses…

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN

As one of the few Canadian colleges to combine the arts and science under one same roof, uSask instils students with a unique, comprehensive and in-depth perspective of the world. With 21 departments and more than 60 majors, you won’t fail to find something that suits your passions here.

Source: University of Saskatchewan

As a uSask student, you will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities in the College’s Social Sciences Research Laboratories, a collective of eight labs – including a Community Observation Laboratory and Experimental Decision Laboratory – that allows students to design and deliver cutting-edge Social Science research that aims to make real material change within society and government policy.

The College’s focus on a community-engaged approach to research means that the work students conduct is directly improving the lives of the people around them, and is often ground-breaking in its field. This collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach also opens up a wide scope of areas on which to affect change.

Research-intensive field schools and the opportunity to study abroad also broaden students’ horizons, enriching them with invaluable communication and problem-solving skills that are incredibly sought-after in today’s dynamic employment market.

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE, GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

Through the provision of a challenging education to both undergraduate and graduate students, the College of Humanities and Social Science at George Mason University prepares students for a lifetime of career success.

All programs encourage the exploration of contemporary issues through a dynamic curriculum that fosters an informed understanding of real-world problems. The College offers students with an education that enables them to think critically, adapt to the changing conditions of society, and provide informed leadership to future generations.

The distinguished Faculty – that includes recipients of the Pulitzer Prize and Guggenheim Fellowship – encourage students to think critically and creatively and to go beyond what is traditionally required.

Students and Faculty engage in research, analysis and creative work that addresses essential questions about our lives and our world, exploring fundamental questions about human life and value in order to provide ground-breaking solutions to pressing social problems.

COLLEGE OF SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

Source: University of Central Florida

Interdisciplinary depth and breadth is central to the Social Sciences program at the University of Central Florida, giving students well-rounded knowledge and understanding of the world. This flexibility allows them to choose three minors based on their interests and passions, essentially allowing them to build their own bespoke college experience.

Areas open to exploration are Anthropology, Communication, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Women’s and Gender Studies. This multi-disciplinary approach allows students to view an issue from several different angles, challenging traditional thinking and pushing them to think outside the box.

This critical thinking and unique perspective means students evolve into dynamic, valuable employees, while also providing a solid basis for further study after graduation.

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

As a Carnegie Research I Institute and a member of the Association of American Universities, research is at the heart of the University of Oregon’s (UO) curriculum. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students have the chance to play an integral part and make original contributions to the pioneering work carried out at the College.

The University’s prestigious reputation enables it to work alongside many notable institutes and centers in their pursuit of innovative research, including the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies, Center for the Study of Women in Society, and the Oregon Consortium for International and Area Studies.

By providing an analytical approach to society’s problems, students learn to objectively look at some of the world’s most polemic issues – such as racism, international conflict and war, ethnic strife, and poverty – and draw tangible, fact-based conclusions. Courses within the Social Sciences include International Studies, Ethnic Studies, General Social Sciences, and Political Science, among many more.

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SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

Students at the School of Arts and Sciences at City University of New York (CUNY) are challenged to develop critical thinking, effective communication, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making skills that are the fundamental foundation of their success in a changing global world.

Traditional classroom learning is supported by laboratory work, plus vital internship and research opportunities. This rich mixture of experiences enhances the students’ appreciation and understanding of diverse cultures.

The varied range of subjects on offer at the School gives students a holistic view of human society and culture that provides an excellent background for students planning careers in education or working and communicating in a multi-cultural setting.

Here, students also learn quantitative and qualitative research expertise that make them employable in a wide variety of settings, as well as preparing them to thrive in the pursuit of graduate studies.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International