General Approach
1 Be Positive, Proactive and Plausible.
2 Make Sociology Known and Indispensable.
3 Don't give up on Sociology...it's "good stuff..."

What We Do, For Whom?
4 What we do: Shifting the proportions on the teaching-research-practice
    wheel...teaching and academia are great, but more practice.
5 Stop talking to ourselves. Sociology for sociologists is a losing proposition. Better
   odds: Sociology for society: Business, Health Care, Government, etc.
6 Sociology: Increase the viability of sociology earlier in your career.
7 A Sociology degree is not an end in itself. So you want to become a lawyer a
    business person, a computer scientist? It's o.k.

How We Do What We Do?
8  Problem-centered Sociology. Be ready to apply our tools to a variety of real social
    issues and practical problems.
9  Don't get caught in the "methods trap!" Expand your tool kit. Learn Qualitative
    and Quantitative methods... well!
10 Maintain high standards for your work.
11 Become leaders as sociologists and citizens. Increase your "job- worthiness!"
12 Develop and translate skills in addition to research (group process, planning,
     TQM, evaluation, etc.)
13 Develop your methods and statistics skills. Don't just "get through..." these, learn
     and apply them well.
14 Theory really is important... but it must be conveyed in a practical form.
15 Develop oral and written communication skills; enhance creativity and critical
     thinking. Be able to conceptualize and solve problems.
16 Develop skills outside sociology. Courses and experiences in business,
     government, health care, computer science, etc. Speak their language.
17 Get involved in internships, service learning and co-op courses in the community.
     Volunteer.
18 Sharpen your resume and create a portfolio.
19 Translate the discipline into understandable terms. but don't trivialize it!
20 Go on information interviews.
21 Don't wait for the "Wanted: Sociologist" ad.

When We Do It? Who Does It?
22 Start your sociological socialization earlier. Start today, but encourage the
     earliest possible start in thinking about a sociology career.
23 Find a mentor. Search for and associate with someone in the field (or in
    other fields) who has the character and skills; who is doing the work
    you want to do.
24 Network... among yourselves and with professionals and professional
     organizations that can lead you where you want to go.

Enhancing the Value of Sociology
25 We must make a "plausible argument" that sociology is valuable.
26 Develop the practical side of sociology...applied sociology and
     sociological practice.
27 Aggressively market the value of sociology and related skills
     to all your clients; colleagues, faculty and administration.
28 Understand the value of sociology in careers...read Rick Stephens Careers in
     Sociology (Allyn Bacon, 1995) or ASA's pamphlet of the same title.
29 Sociology as a "service" course is as valuable as producing majors.
30 Recruit and actively seek the best people for sociology...

In Your Formal Education and Training
31 Demand a demonstration that sociology can do something...do local, community
     research, help the college solve research related problems ...sociology clubs,
    awards for excellence, recognition.
32 Proactively deliver your research and practice to the community (campus
     and local) in which you reside. Public relations is needed. Get your findings
      in the local paper. Get local and national recognition.
33 Imbed your research work in he community ...make your work
     indispensable to important community groups.

Finally, Consider the Following...
34 We really do maintain a unique perspective.
35 The tools and skills that we use (and share with other fields) to
     study society are appropriate for this era.

Some Professional Organizations that Can Help ...
American Sociological Association
1722 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
202-833-3410