Training, work experiences, and professional identity of applied sociology M.A. graduates

Abstract

Although much interest in applied sociology has been generated in the past decade, little empirical data exist on the experiences of applied sociology graduates, particularly at the M.A. level. This paper is a modest attempt to remedy this situation by reporting on the training, work experiences, and professional identity of a group of 68 graduates of one applied program. Our findings indicate that these graduates are very successful in pursuing careers in a wide variety of work roles and work settings, although in general their professional identity is not that of a sociologist.