The SDSC major at the University of Maryland will build expertise in the complex skills needed to create and work with information that captures aspects of human behavior. Social data science encompasses all elements of the data life cycle, including measure conceptualization, data gathering, management, manipulation, analysis, presentation, archiving, and re-use. Further, effective and appropriate construction, analysis, and use of social data requires understanding social science theory and domain expertise. Use this information as a place to start exploring your career interests.
- Review additional resources below and on the Feller Center's website.
- Job & Internship Openings, Handshake
Explore Career Paths
Start Planning
Related Titles & Work Areas
Recent Job Titles/Employers of Graduates
- Analyst, Augur Consulting
- Accounts Payable Specialist, Build Your Dream
- Associate
- Data Analyst, CRISP Shared Services
- Data Scientist, Quantum Insights
- Junior Data Analyst, CRISP Shared Services
- Research Assistant, Art & Science Group
- Research Assistant, The Culture of Health Program
- Research Analyst
- Social Science Research Analyst
- Social Intelligence Analyst
- Quantitative Social Scientist
ENTRY TIPS:
Important qualities/skills generally include: Analytical, Computer, Communication, Logical-thinking, Math, Machine Learning and Problem-solving skills.
- Ability to interpret analysis results in visual and written summaries for non-technical audiences
- Experience with wrangling, cleaning, and transforming big data of >10 MB
- Experience with paying attention to detail in quality control of data or other client-facing products
- Technical: R, including Tidyverse packages, Excel, SPSS, STATA, Python, Tableau, GIS, and other statistical/econometric packages
- Ability to collaborate with team members and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
Job Outlook: Employment of data scientists is projected to grow 36 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Start Exploring Career Titles/Work Areas
Use the sample job and internship titles (mentioned above) to start exploring career paths. The links below provide a short overview of the positions. Review more career areas related to this major as well as tips to succeed.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, a career title dictionary
- O*NET Online, the nation's primary source of occupational information
- FOCUS2, explore career paths using self-assessment questionnaires
- Terrapins Connect, talk with professionals working in the field through UMD’s alumni network
- Federal positions by major, research career titles with the federal government related to your major
- Vault Guides, browse 100’s of industry guides to gain inside tips
- Leveraging AI for your career exploration
The Feller Center offers Alumni & Employer Industry career panel notes for Data Science
Explore career titles with the Occupational Outlook.
Resources: Career Planning & Graduate School
- Employer & Industry notes: Career Paths in Social Data Science; Careers in Data Science & Data Analytics
- Federal and state government resources
Prepare to Apply:
- Cheat Sheets for Data Science Interviews, including links to increase your skills
- 12 Most Challenging Data Science Interview Questions
- Prepare to apply: Tips to customize your resume, cover letter, etc.
Some career paths require an advanced degree. Start researching your career path of interest to identify the educational requirements.
- Questions to consider before applying
- Application timeline, stay on track with your graduate school application
- Applying to Law School
Market Skills Developed: SDSC Major
Skills lead to jobs. Which skills do you possess?
- Assess your skills, abilities, interests, and values and explore how they relate to career options.
- Skills inventory - get started identifying your unique assets.
Sample list of skills/qualities developed by Social Data Science majors.
- Design, execute, document, and disseminate research that applies tools and methods from data science to address a social science research question.
- Develop expertise in specific contemporary social science theories and data science approaches.
- Analyze policy and design of socio-technical systems.
- Identify and analyze social, legal, and ethical and equity issues in social data science work and in the profession.
Skills lead to jobs. Which skills do you possess?
- Careers and Skills related to SDSC Major
- Assess your skills, abilities, interests, and values.
- LinkedIn Learning skill based videos.
Highlight your skills in your application materials.
Gain Experience
Sample list of opportunities: Start your search with these tips
- Gain Experience, BSOS - browse links on out of the classroom experiences
- Handshake - check out job and internship openings for off-campus positions for UMD students
- UMD National Scholarships Office - Internship opportunities in DC
- Federal government internships - links to openings and application tips
- Maryland State Internship Information
- On-Campus & College Park Internships to Consider
- Washington, DC opportunities
Get Organized
- Attend a How to Find an Internship workshop
- Register for EDCP108I: Academic Transition into Internships – a one-credit, seven week online class preparing students for successfully landing an internship
- Prepare your application materials so you are ready when opportunities pop up
Where are SDSC majors interning?
Internships are a great way to try out an interest, regardless if they are directly related to your major. Employers tend to favor job seekers who have had an internship in the field they are hiring for.
- LINQ Services - Tech and Fulfillment Intern
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) - Information Technology Intern
- Thompson Gas - Business Intelligence Intern
- World Vision International - Monitoring and Evaluation Intern
Build relevant skills via online learning
- Use LinkedIn Learning, MOOCs, DataCamp, W3 Schools, Leetcode, and Tutorialspoint.
Get involved
- Join clubs and organizations via TerpLink or INFO Student Orgs/Clubs.
- Participate in INFOthons like InfoChallenge and bitcamp.
- Volunteer for events and opportunities.
Explore research opportunities
- Engage in research through the INFO Undergrad Research page, INFO Research Groups, or the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR).
Start exploring openings featured in the "Great for Social Data Science" majors collection in Handshake.
BSOS Students Gain Experience Through:
Build Connections
After researching career paths, consider talking with people working in your field of interest to gain inside information. The links below provide sample events where you may be able to meet professionals in your field of interest. Use these opportunities to learn more about your field of interest, establish new networking contacts, and informational interviews.
- Career Events for BSOS students, Feller Center
- Terrapins Connect, is an online platform that allows students’ virtual access to UMD alumni who have volunteered to share industry specific information and as well as conduct resume reviews, among other things.
- Intern for a Day, matches UMD students with professionals working in a field of interest to shadow for the day or offer informational interviews. Offered in the fall and spring.
- Use LinkedIn to Locate Alumni & Recruiters
