Industrial sociology is the observation of social issues and behavior in the workplace. To become an industrial sociologist, you will typically need to obtain a bachelor's degree. Although many universities do not offer a degree specifically in industrial sociology, you may want to enroll in an economic sociology degree program. Field experience will be important to become an industrial sociologist and you should seek part-time employment or internships while in college. The primary duty of this position is to observe and analyze behavior patterns in the work place and make improvements according to observations.
You will need to complete several introductory courses before advancing to courses that focus on your career goals. This may include principles of sociology, sociological theory, and social problems. These courses will introduce you to the various concepts and theories that will help prepare you to become an industrial sociologist. Industrial sociology courses instruct you on how social relations effect productivity in various industries. Most of these courses are designed to explain the relationship between human behavior and the production process and the steps needed to improve the workplace.
Internships in this field will help improve your research skills, which is the basis of this profession. To become an industrial sociologist, you will need to research behavioral patterns in order to compare them to your observations. Working with other professionals in the field will help you understand past studies and how they relate to the work environment that you are currently observing. You will be able to help other industrial sociologists compare their research, analyze data, and formulate suggestions that can help improve company productivity.
There are numerous types of businesses that hire industrial sociologists to help organize the company but there are also education-based positions in this field. Once you become an industrial sociologist, you may want to consider teaching courses on industrial sociology or lecturing at companies about the various social changes that can significantly improve the overall production process. You may also consider continuing your education in order to receive a master's degree in sociology, which may be required by some education facilities.
Once you have completed your degree and training, you should begin researching employment on the Internet and in local papers. You may want to broaden your search by looking for economic, industrial, or organizational sociologist positions in order to find more career opportunities. Internship directors may also be able to provide information on open positions in their company or partner companies.
