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Sociologist

Social Sciences

Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

General

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
  2. 2Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
  3. 3Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
  4. 4Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
  5. 5Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
  6. 6Teach sociology.
  7. 7Present research findings at professional meetings.
  8. 8Explain sociological research to the general public.
  9. 9Develop problem intervention procedures, using techniques such as interviews, consultations, role playing, and participant observation of group interactions.
  10. 10Consult with and advise individuals such as administrators, social workers, and legislators regarding social issues and policies, as well as the implications of research findings.
  11. 11Direct work of statistical clerks, statisticians, and others who compile and evaluate research data.
  12. 12Collaborate with research workers in other disciplines.
  13. 13Write grants to obtain funding for research projects.
  14. 14Develop approaches to the solution of groups' problems, based on research findings in sociology and related disciplines.
  15. 15Observe group interactions and role affiliations to collect data, identify problems, evaluate progress, and determine the need for additional change.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • Penologist
  • Demographer
  • Sociologist
  • Sociologists
  • Criminologist
  • Policy Advisor
  • Policy Analyst
  • Policy Officer
  • Social Scientist
  • Program Evaluator

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. 3

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. Typical entry

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationDoctoral degree

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

EnglishDraws directly on English Language — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Additional MathematicsDraws directly on Mathematics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
MathematicsDraws directly on Mathematics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
History (Sejarah)Draws directly on History and Archeology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Sociology and Anthropology100%
  • English Language92%

    English

  • Education and Training84%
  • Mathematics69%

    Additional MathematicsMathematics

  • History and Archeology68%

    History (Sejarah)

  • Computers and Electronics67%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsOften
  • Dealing with customers or the publicA little
  • Leading or coordinating othersHigh
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
  • Noisy environmentRarely
  • Time spent sittingMost of the time
  • Time spent standingA little

Where this job is heading

Newer tasks O*NET has flagged for this occupation, a hint at how the role is changing.

  • Mentor sociology students.
  • Review sociological research and articles.

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points — not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

38%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023 — already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

0.09%

Of Malaysian Claude conversations, about this kind of work

Measures how much people use Claude for this work, not how many Malaysians do this job — and more AI use can mean people relying on it, not that it's replacing them.

Pay in Malaysia

We don't have a sourced Malaysian salary range for this job yet, and we'd rather show nothing than a number we can't stand behind.

Where to check:

  • JobStreet and Hiredly job ads for this title
  • DOSM Salaries & Wages Survey
  • SSPA scheme tables, if you're aiming for a government post
See pay for a related career: Clinical Psychologist

Check what you may qualify for

Enter your SPM grades and see which routes and programmes you may qualify for. An estimate to plan with, not an offer.

Check my eligibility Not sure yet? Take the quiz

How to get here

Post-SPM pathways with programmes in this career's fields. Tap one to see real programmes and entry requirements.

Asasi / Foundation

One-year runway into a specific university: public via UPU or private direct entry.

12 months

International Pre-U

A-Levels, AUSMAT, IB and more. The flexible premium route, local or overseas.

1–2 years

Related careers

If this interests you, these are worth a look too.

About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Sociologists

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org

Programmes that lead here

Programmes from the official UPU (KPT) and MQA catalogues whose field of study typically leads to this career. Matched by field, not a job guarantee.

Public universities (UPU)

Private institutions (MQA-accredited)

Search the programme catalogue