Sociology’s Icebergs

Abstract

This article explores sociology’s continued vulnerability as a discipline in the context of global, economic, and workplace change. Recent data suggest that a majority of sociology graduates will continue to pursue jobs and careers outside of academia, though they all express misgivings about whether they are prepared to do so. Moreover, there has been a precipitous decline in the number of academic jobs in sociology while the number of non-academic jobs has actually increased. Regardless, new sociology PhDs expect to find jobs in academia. In the aftermath of the “great recession” of the past decade, the changing nature of employment, jobs, careers, and the workplace is likely to continue to challenge sociology’s ability to provide graduates with clear pathways toward success in a competitive global economy. In short, the discipline may be headed in a perilous direction, particularly regarding its future graduates. The article suggests ways that academic sociology might change course and better serve its students and its institutional role in higher education. The central goal will be to suggest how applied concepts regarding employment and workplace change in the global economy may be integrated into the curriculum.