Sociologists
Job description
These individuals study how societies function and the relationships between individuals and groups. They analyze social phenomena and how they evolve. They also conduct research. They work for:
- Universities
- Private companies
- Institutions and cultural centres (museums, exhibition centres, theatres, etc.)
- University health and social services centres (CIUSSS)
- Research Chairs
- Polling firms
- The media
- Public, parapublic, and international organizations.
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
Main tasks
- Collect data using the appropriate techniques and tools (field observations, investigations, opinion surveys, interviews, etc.).
- Analyze information and statistics that may contribute to social change.
- Study social problems in collaboration with other professionals.
- Issue recommendations to guide the actions of stakeholders.
- Draft reports.
- Publish scientific articles.
- Teach sociology.
Training and requirements
Formation
University studies
Sometimes required
- A Master’s degree is often required.
- A Doctorate may be required, especially to work in research.
- Proficiency in English considered an asset.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Information processing
- Critical thought
- Active learning
- Judgment and decision-making
- Science
- Solving complex problems
- Social perception
- Written expression
- Reading comprehension
- Oral expression
- Teaching
- Coordination
- Learning strategies
- Active listening
Abilities
- Classification
- Selective attention
- Idea generation
- Mathematical reasoning
- Deductive reasoning
- Awareness of issues
- Visualization
- Speech clarity
- Information organization
- Written expression
- Processing flexibility
- Near vision
- Written comprehension
- Oral comprehension
- Verbal skills
- Originality
Knowledge and attributes
- Critical thinking
- Autonomy
- Spoken and written bilingualism (French and English)
- Capacity to work in a team
- Versatility
- Rigour
- Attention to detail
- Capacity for synthesis
- Desire to upgrade one’s competencies
- Knowledge of sociology and anthropology
Interests
- Draft, communicate, and inform
- Work with numbers
- Work in an office
- Create, design
- Carry out research
- Assist and advise
- Teach or educate
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Social
- People with this profile prefer to be in contact with others, in particular to entertain, help or teach them.
- Artistic
- People with this profile prefer to express their emotions and thoughts through various art forms. They like to use their imagination.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Other professional occupations in social science (CNP 41409)
Skill type
Education, law and social, community and government services
Related occupations
- Administrators - post-secondary education and vocational training
- Government managers - education policy development and program administration
- Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
- Other business services managers
- Other professional occupations in social science
- Post-secondary teaching and research assistants
- Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers
- Statistical officers and related research support occupations
- University professors and lecturers
Last update: January 29, 2026
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