Social Studies

"Social studies" is a broad category of fields that involve human behavior and relations. If you like social studies, you might enjoy jobs that involve finding ways to make our society richer, safer and fairer. Are you interested in why people do the things they do? You might enjoy a career in anthropology, the study of humans, or in psychology, the study of behavior. Interested in how people interact with one another? Consider communications. Maybe you're fascinated by the history of mankind — a good indication you'd make a great historian. Or perhaps you're interested in the currents that shape our world, which could point to a career in political science. There are a huge number of options in this field — maybe one of them is right for you!

ECONOMIST

In a Nutshell

If you like researching data on prices, jobs, taxes and employment, and like to work a regular work schedule, maybe economist is the right profession for you. Providing the information that governments and businesses use to make decisions are important parts of this career.

Financial Advisors — guide people with investments.
Insurance Underwriters — calculate cost of insurance policies.
Loan Officers — help people prepare loan applications.

Get Ahead

Many entry-level economist positions require a bachelor's degree.
Studying economics, math, statistics and learning computer operations will give you a head start.

Earning Power (2008)

Nationally, the middle half of economists earned $58,010 to $106,200 a year. In Texas, they earned between $37,810 and $96,090.
Nationally, the middle half of personal financial advisors earned $45,110 to $115,750 a year. In Texas, they earned between $43,770 and $112,770.
Nationally, the middle half of loan officers earned $38,740 to $74,750 a year. In Texas, they earned between $42,280 and $79,590.

They Did It

Edward D. Jones Sr. — Founded an investment firm that now has more than 9,000 local offices throughout the U.S.

HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT

In a Nutshell

Attention to detail and record-keeping are vital skills in human resources offices. Helping a company's employees by maintaining confidentiality and processing applications and personnel pay and benefits are typical responsibilities in an HR job.

HR assistant — Communicate with candidates and hired employees and process forms and applications.
Human Resources Manager — Manages a HR office, ensures employment rules are followed and guides hiring managers about procedures and counsels employees about their pay, benefits and rights.

Get Ahead

A high school education or a GED is the entry-level requirement.
Learn computer skills.
Look, dress and sound professional to present a good appearance to prospective employees.
HR directors usually need to complete a bachelor's degree.

Earning Power (2008)

Nationally, the middle half of human resources managers earned $70,850 to $120,960 a year. In Texas, they earned between $76,710 and $128,070.
Nationally, the middle half of HR assistants earned $28,540 and $42,340 a year. In Texas, they earned between $26,660 and $39,490.

POLITICIAN OR PUBLIC OFFICIAL

In a Nutshell

From school board and city council to congressman, governor, president or even Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, there are thousands of jobs for politicians. Politicians make laws that the people who elect them want in place, vote on the budgets that fund government agencies and set taxes.

Government Administrators — senior personnel such as city managers, school superintendents and high-ranking government officials carry out the politicians' instructions.
Senior Military Personnel — use their experience and education to lead operations in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.

Get Ahead

Education isn't a requirement for most elected positions. Some, such as constable, require peace officer licensing, and attorney or judges more senior than county judge or justice of the peace require the candidate to have obtained a law degree.
Impress the voters with relevant experience and charisma to convince them you can do the job.
Raise funds necessary to run a campaign.

Earning Power (2008)

$0 to more than $75,000 for elected politicians, from local council member to member of the U.S. Congress and Senate.
$750 per month for Texas state representatives.
The U.S. president currently earns $400,000 per year.
The Texas governor earns $150,000 per year.
Salaries for chief executives of government entities ranged from $49,690 to $120,570 for the middle 50 percent. The top 10 percent of earners have salaries higher than $145,000.

They Did It

Comptroller Susan Combs — qualified lawyer who previously was elected as state representative, agriculture commissioner.
Gov. Rick Perry — served in the U.S. Air Force before becoming a state representative, agriculture commissioner, lieutenant governor under then-Gov. George W. Bush.
Austin City Manager Marc Ott (earns $242,000 per year).
San Antonio City Manager Sheryl Sculley (earns $295,000 per year).

MENTAL HEALTH WORKER

In a Nutshell

Among the caring professions, mental health workers care for people who can't always make the best decisions for themselves. Psychologists study the human mind. Some help people with mental problems; others help people deal with divorce and death of a family member or friend.

Psychologists — work in clinics, hospitals private practice or research colleges.
Nurses — provide clinical care in hospitals or outpatient settings.
Mental Health Aides — help patients with basic care.
Counselors — work in schools or guidance centers.

Get Ahead

There are opportunities both for workers with advanced academic education and for vocational jobs that require less training.
Psychologists require advanced degrees, usually a PhD. A psychologist's assistant or community mental health worker should attain a bachelor's degree in psychology.
Nurses obtain nursing training and specialize working with mental health cases.
Mental health aides need vocational and continuing education training, often at a community college that works with a hospital.

Earning Power (2008)

Nationally, the middle half of psychologists earned $47,910 to $80,320 a year. In Texas, they earned between $42,780 and $63,820.
Nationally, the middle half of mental health counselors earned $28,090 and $47,490 a year. In Texas, they earned between $29,480 and $42,810.

They Did It

Sigmund Freud — famed psychologist founded psychoanalysis.
Dr. John F. Murray — sports psychologist, worked with top tennis players.
Dr. Phil McGraw — TV personality, Ph.D in clinical psychology (University of North Texas).

URBAN PLANNER

In a Nutshell

Planners work with builders, developers, architects, property owners and politicians to figure out the best way to use land in cities. They have to think of all the problems that could be created by not developing land properly. They make recommendations about the rules that guide planned developments.

Community Development Directors — supervise all aspects of planning, building and work with economic development plans.
Administrative Assistant — planning departments work with developers who have to follow rules, apply for permits and get permission for projects. Administrative staff handles much of the paperwork, tracks the progress of developments and prepares documents for planning commission meetings.
Geographers — Work with planners to develop policies and long-range planning tools for communities.

Get Ahead

Planners must have good written and spoken communications skills.
Computer skills, math and statistics are useful background studies for planners who will generally obtain college degrees in planning or urban design.
Practical experience in the form of an internship can help newly qualified planners get a job.

Earning Power (2008)

Nationally, the middle half of urban planners earned $45,750 to $73,110 a year. In Texas, they earned between $41,860 and $64,690.
Nationally, the middle half of geographers earned $51,350 and $81,410 a year. In Texas, they earned between $43,860 and $88,090.

Based on material developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.