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Job outlook for social sciences lecturers in the United States
Social sciences lecturer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected social sciences lecturer job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 159,400 new jobs for social sciences lecturers are projected over the next decade.
Social sciences lecturer salaries have increased 5% for social sciences lecturers in the last 5 years.
There are over 3,889 social sciences lecturers currently employed in the United States.
There are 28,331 active social sciences lecturer job openings in the US.
The average social sciences lecturer salary is $66,896.
Are social sciences lecturer jobs in demand?
Social sciences lecturer job and salary trends over time
Social sciences lecturer jobs over time
Social sciences lecturer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,889 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4,159 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,292 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,298 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,224 | 0.00% |
Average social sciences lecturer salary over time
Social sciences lecturer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $66,896 | $32.16 | +0.4% |
| 2024 | $66,613 | $32.03 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $65,595 | $31.54 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $64,658 | $31.09 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $63,560 | $30.56 | +3.8% |
Social sciences lecturer jobs by state
Most common states for social sciences lecturers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 109 | 16% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 751 | 11% |
| 3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 146 | 11% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 85 | 9% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 81 | 9% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 58 | 9% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 567 | 8% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 473 | 8% |
| 9 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 131 | 8% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 110 | 8% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 86 | 8% |
| 12 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 59 | 8% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 45 | 8% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 406 | 7% |
| 15 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 208 | 7% |
| 16 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 127 | 7% |
| 17 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 71 | 7% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 51 | 7% |
| 19 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,144 | 6% |
| 20 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 531 | 6% |
Most common cities for social sciences lecturers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coral Gables | 2 | 4% | $57,867 |
| 2 | Cedar City | 1 | 3% | $81,057 |
| 3 | Colorado Springs | 3 | 1% | $54,279 |
| 4 | San Jose | 5 | 0% | $83,913 |
| 5 | Baltimore | 3 | 0% | $63,485 |
| 6 | Chicago | 2 | 0% | $60,980 |
| 7 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $68,174 |
Social Sciences Lecturer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of social sciences lecturer experts
Christopher Newport University
Northern Michigan University
Clemson University
Elmhurst University
Washington University in St Louis
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Santa Clara University
University of Minnesota Crookston
Chicago State University
University of Central Florida
University of Kansas
Indiana University Kokomo
Elmira College
Pennsylvania State University
Stephen F. Austin State University
What general advice would you give to a Social Sciences Lecturer?
Dr. Mike Levine: In the next 3–5 years, I anticipate that research will be expected that explores more interdisciplinarity; owing both to intellectual trends in the academy, and to an ever-shrinking job market, which means that more will be demanded by less people. As well, you will be expected to be an expert in the exciting, interesting research niche that you have found and written about in your dissertation; but also quite knowledgeable about a broad range of information applicable towards teaching large general education (GE) classes filled with non-major students. Expertise in both of these areas will make you more competitive and give you a broader network to work with.
What Social Sciences Lecturer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mike Levine: Academia is most definitely not a career for those that want to get rich quick. It can take 5–6 years before your salary really starts to pick up steam (getting tenured, in other words). To get tenure: publish, publish, publish, while teaching and mentoring. Do some service to your department or college as well, but not so much that you get burnt out. As in any career, being seen and working with other people in your discipline, school, and area is key. So go to as many conferences as you can find funding for, and meet and work with as many people as you can. The 'cultural currency' you'll get from these interactions will come a lot sooner than actual currency will, but in academia, these two areas are often one and the same.
What will help Social Sciences Lecturers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Mike Levine: My advice would be to keep an open mind in terms of the kind of early career job you will get: lecturer, adjunct, and visiting assistant professor positions are each helpful springboards towards landing an assistant prof role. So, if you don't immediately land an assistant prof position following graduation, don't get discouraged! As well, you might have to move around a bit. Like the military, it is rare that you'll find an academic job in your own backyard. So be prepared to pick up and move to where your next gig takes you.
What general advice would you give to a Social Sciences Lecturer?
Juan de la Puente Herrero: - As precarious as things are looking for people from my generation, the fields of Romance Languages and Linguistics have an advantage that has gotten me out of more than one financial distress: they are incredibly versatile. If you acquire the necessary skills for it (and don't skip the step of actually learning them, please), you can quickly pick up different 'side hustles' that require minimal infrastructure. However, the idea of turning them into your main source of income could quickly become flimsy and unstable. You don't want to be the person who relies solely on occasional students to tutor, translations to complete, or texts to proofread.
If you do want to maximize your salary potential in this field with a single source of income, you are going to have to deal with a tremendous amount of bureaucracy, technical requirements, and elitism. If your dream profession in this field involves teaching and being financially stable, you probably want to look into getting a PhD. In order to get there, you need to carefully study how willing you are to remain broke for a few years, even though there isn't a tenured job assured at the other end of the tunnel. On a brighter note, I have met lots of lecturers in higher education who enjoy a comfortable salary and a peaceful work life, but in order to get there, most of them had to suffer through multiple precarious contracts and on-and-off appointments, which are very stressful situations to be on, specially for non-citizens like me.
I hope that my answers don't discourage anyone from getting into this field. I just described the ugliest parts of working in it, but I would be more than happy to dedicate double the words to explaining the things that I enjoy about working with languages and Linguistics.
What Social Sciences Lecturer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Juan de la Puente Herrero: - I hate to even bring up the term, but you need to find a way to make yourself stand out among the masses who rely on A.I. to do their work. Re-learn how to string your words and ideas in a way that makes sense to you and your readers and that sounds natural. This could apply to cover letters and essays, but also simple emails, translations and in-class activities. Sadly, one of my main concerns in the workplace these days is the constant presence of artificial intelligence in everything we do. I can't predict the future, but I can definitely say that there is currently a race between professors, students and ChatGPT to see who can outsmart each other, and everyone is giving it their all. It sounds ironic, but the only way to stand out is to rely on the quality of your own work, have trustful sources, and good research skills.
What will help Social Sciences Lecturers increase their earning potential?
Juan de la Puente Herrero: - This may not be a secret to anyone, but you need to reach out and talk to as many people as you have the energy for. I feel like people underestimate how competitive languages and linguistics can be in the professional world, so the more you know about how others 'went through it', the easier it will be for you to take the punches when they come. And they will come!
I also want to mention how I am younger compared to most of my colleagues (I'm 24), but I have noticed that there is a pattern among the professors who tend to be more popular inside and outside of the classroom: all of them have interests (not necessarily academic) that they pursue in their free time, and it does not matter what it is exactly; cooking, literature, acting, music... I think that it is extremely important to 'feel like a student' on a regular basis in order to let your students know that they are not the only ones making mistakes on a regular basis: you do, too. I don't think that this is an attitude that you can fake.
Bo Clements
Lecturer of American Sign LanguageClemson University
Department of Languages
What experience really stands out on Social Sciences Lecturer resumes?
Bo Clements: 1) teaching ASL included four parts: Educational background, Teaching background, Professional Development evidenced with hours, and Deaf Community Service. 2)Degrees (Must have MA or higher). 3) ASLPI score of 4 or higher, SLPI: ASL rating of Advanced Plus or higher or other proficiency interviews approved in the future. 4) List of courses you took to teach ASL - ASL Literature, ASL Linguistics, Deaf Culture/Deaf Community, Teaching Methods (ASL or Foreign Language), Assessment Tools, and Curriculum Development or Language Acquisition. Hold certification of American Sign Language Teachers Association, Inc. Also, show your expertise in using technology, such as the ZOOM platform, plus know how to edit a video, etc.
How do you envision technology impacting Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 5 years?
Bo Clements: There will be changes nonstop that impact this field in the general classroom and outside of the school of social media during the next five years. Some say there will be an explosive booming for technology products and smart devices for video platforms for teaching jobs and video relay services and more ASL access between Deaf or Hearing to work with Deaf/Hearing clients.
More Deaf people work from home and some own businesses via ASL access through video relay services and using video conference platforms. We need an expansion of technology to provide training to educate doctors, nurses, administrations, lawyers, etc., learn how to use robotic mobility style with a monitor that shows a live interpreter to communicate with Deaf consumers on the spot. It costs a low rate compared to waiting for a community interpreter to come. We should have a choice, to request to have a robotic live interpreter or/and a community interpreter.
It is an excellent opportunity to create new jobs for ASL students to work with video phone corporations, wireless corporations, online and streaming innovations, and applications for smartphones and smart computers to bring out a better partnership with colleges/universities ASL programs and internships.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Sciences Lecturers?
Bo Clements: Pandemic during life after Graduation is very obviously tricky. Look at the unemployment rates. Millions of job positions are in a freeze. No jobs out there. A positive note that a student has a degree in American Sign Language with specialization in Interpretation Education & Training, Wireless Technology, or Development & Innovative of Social Media allows working from home to create thousands of online jobs - Teaching, Marketing, Engineering, Spectrum of Technology, and many more.
We cannot remove our masks, making it so difficult to communicate, as it's hard to read people's lips. That is the number 1 communication barrier for all of us. We cannot be close or touch each other in a public place, even at work, to communicate in person. That makes it so difficult to find jobs.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Social Sciences Lecturer job market given the pandemic?
Tim Engstrom: The pandemic has shifted consumer purchasing to eCommerce, increasing the labor demand in distribution and delivery. The current capacity to handle this shift is constrained, impacting the flow of goods and cost structures. Businesses diligently transform their traditional businesses to support this shift while analyzing if they will stay in the long term or convert back to conventional norms.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 3-5 years?
Tim Engstrom: Automation in processing orders in distribution centers, contactless shopping, and autonomous delivery vehicles. The constraints in the infrastructure and labor will drive this shift in processing the work.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 5 years?
Tim Engstrom: The pandemic has placed Supply Chain into everyday conversations with the general public due to product availability challenges. Improving product flow is challenging traditional supply chain solutions, increasing the demand for supply chain professions. It is a great time to be in the field of the supply chain.
What type of skills will young Social Sciences Lecturers need?
Catherine Dunkin: A public relations career offers challenge, variety, and a unique chance to combine strategy and creativity to accomplish business objectives. Some critical competencies include:
Communication Skills:
- Writing
- Speaking and oral presentations
- Research
- Traditional and social media
- Active listening
- Relationship-building
- Speaking and oral presentations
Business Acumen:
- Critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making
- Time management and ability to prioritize/meet deadlines
- Adaptability
- Data gathering and analysis
- Strategic planning
- Awareness of the global impact
- Entrepreneurial and consulting approaches
Creativity and Design Skills:
- Graphic design and data visualization
- Ability to produce useful materials from documents to presentations to online blogs, newsletters, websites, etc.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Social Sciences Lecturers to find work opportunities?
Catherine Dunkin: Graduates who can combine healthy critical thinking and communication skills should find positions available nearly anywhere they would like to live and work. They will find growth areas in healthcare, management consulting, technology, and operations/supply chain.
Graduates have an opportunity to think carefully about and pursue rewarding careers in line with their personal goals, values, and geographical preferences. They may consider entrepreneurial start-ups, local nonprofits with compelling community missions, or larger management consulting firms and corporations offering global clients and projects exposure.
How do you envision technology impacting Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 5 years?
Catherine Dunkin: Technology will continue to transform the public relations professional's job over the next five years. Today's professional will continue managing with a dramatically reduced number of traditional media outlets and an ever-increasing array of social media platforms, all with 24/7 deadline requirements.
To grow as leaders and trusted advisors to business executives, public relations professionals must continue to understand how to use data and technology in developing strategies, messages, and plans to engage sophisticated stakeholders. Technology will help measure results and show the impact of public relations efforts, which will continue to be critical in showing value and implications for their organizations.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Social Sciences Lecturer job market given the pandemic?
Allison Butler Ph.D.: Based on how things are going now, I would wager that the biggest trends in the job market will be an acceleration of what we saw before the pandemic: The need for increased flexibility in terms of work hours and work location and greater attention paid to access to and use of digital technology. I think we'll see an increased need for greater independence among staff teams; this might be a place where recent college grads will excel, as they will have had a few semesters of remote learning and will have managed an increased workload independently. On a lighter note, I wonder if the pandemic will end the need for a 3-piece suit?
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 3-5 years?
Allison Butler Ph.D.: Anything that allows for mobility and flexibility. Many of us are craving being back in our offices for the human connection, while we also see that the work can get done in a variety of different locations. I think a blend of human connection and digital flexibility will be a primary focus over the next few years.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 5 years?
Allison Butler Ph.D.: Assuming that we look at demand within the context of a struggling economy, I would say that there will be an increase in demand for graduates with a Communication degree in the next five years. Our students graduate with strong transferrable skills, including thinking on their feet, writing, speaking clearly, and thinking critically. They are up to speed on current events and are technologically savvy. That being said, I think there will be less of a demand for new hires across multiple fields because it will take some time to build back the economy, and it will be a difficult job market for all recent graduates.
What type of skills will young Social Sciences Lecturers need?
Dr. Radhika Grover: Graduates entering the workforce will need strong critical thinking skills and the ability to wear multiple hats. For example, the data scientist may need to understand, or even work on, web programming. Job seekers will need strong programming skills in one or more of these programming languages - Python, Java, C, C++, and Javascript. Graduates should also consider getting a second degree in another field, such as bioengineering or electrical engineering, because the intersection of disciplines can provide new research and development opportunities. A student once asked me, "If machines can do everything we do and do it better, what will we do in the future?" Graduates have to be ready to refresh their skill sets periodically so that they are irreplaceable.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Social Sciences Lecturers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Radhika Grover: A review of job postings on popular job posting sites shows that many jobs are available for computer engineering graduates around the country. A computer engineer may also get the flexibility to work remotely. The COVID-19 pandemic has not as heavily impacted computer engineering jobs as jobs in other industries.
How do you envision technology impacting Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Radhika Grover: The growth of cloud computing, machine learning, robotics, internet-of-things, and biotechnology will bring new opportunities for computer engineering graduates over the next five years.
Dr. Margaretha Rudstrom
LecturerUniversity of Minnesota Crookston
Agriculture and Natural Resources Department
What experience really stands out on Social Sciences Lecturer resumes?
Dr. Margaretha Rudstrom: I take this from the skill sets that experiences provide, rather than a particular job a student may have had. Experiences where you have to deal with people, will stand out. Those experiences could be where you are a member of a team where your contributions helped contribute to the group's success.
Experiences working with customers or clients is also a big plus. People who have good communication skills and interpersonal skills are valuable employees in an organization. This skill set allows you to represent your organization professionally.
For many of my students, these people skills are developed in their part-time jobs while they are students and during their internships required to complete their Bachelor of Science degree. The internships allow students to develop their people skills and apply their knowledge from their courses in the real world.
Another experience that stands out on resume is studies abroad. In the Pre-Covid time, I highly encouraged my students to take part in a study abroad experience. That could be anything from studying abroad over spring break to a semester-long study abroad at another University. This experience shows a person who is willing to get out of their comfort zone and try something new. From an employer's perspective, it is good to have people willing to try new things. The study abroad allows students to experience something different, to see things through different lenses or perspectives.
What Social Sciences Lecturer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Margaretha Rudstrom: I am taking this from the perspective of an agribusiness major.
If a student isn't able to land a position within their field of study, I would suggest they work on their people skills and stay up to date with what is happening in the markets, ag policy, and agriculture. Staying up to date means following the popular press in the areas you have a career interest in. That could mean following the news from places like Drovers, local and national producer associations, or congressional or senate ag committees. This will help keep you up to date on what's happening in the areas you have an interest in or are looking for a career.
I seem to be harping on the people skills piece. Get experience in working with customers, customer service, customer complaints. These experiences will help you develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and communication skills sought after by employers.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Margaretha Rudstrom: I am not very good at predicting technology. Things change so fast in agriculture and other fields when it comes to new technology. I prefer to focus on being able to learn new technologies. That means being curious about the technologies we have now and experimenting with what it can and cannot do. When I have students work with apps like spreadsheets or mapping, they ask, "what will happen if I push this button?" I tell them, "Try it and see." That is part of learning what the technology can do. Don't be afraid of new technology. I don't know what will be coming in the next 3-5 years, but I am betting it will be cold, and we will have to learn what it can do. We can't know about it if we don't experiment or play around with it.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Sciences Lecturers?
Alvin Daniels: As with all industries, the pandemic will have a lasting impact on the Media Industry. Jobs that were once held by people will probably be eliminated or replaced by automation as management sees that there is another way to cut costs. HOWEVER, there has never been a better time for Media Creatives as 'Content is King" for streaming and cable. With more people staying home for entertainment, people are always looking for something to watch. That means that digital creatives are looked upon for new TV, movie, and audio content.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Social Sciences Lecturers to find work opportunities?
Alvin Daniels: Because of the World Wide Web, everywhere is a great place for an opportunity to find you. Many companies will have their workers working from home for a while, so if you have talent, you can be found and work from anywhere.
How do you envision technology impacting Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 5 years?
Alvin Daniels: Technology will always look to make the field easier. When I started in the field in 1988, the tape was needed to shoot anything. Today, the tape is extinct, and everything is done on a file. Being on the learning end of technology is so key to being in the game.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Sciences Lecturers?
Dr. Kathleen Hohenleitner: Sure, I think a negative economic impact is almost inevitable. The good news is that the pandemic caused a lot of companies to operate primarily via the internet, even more so than did before, so I can only hope that means that more internet writing and editing will be available for our graduates.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Social Sciences Lecturers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Kathleen Hohenleitner: Well, many students come to school intending to work in "book publishing," which I think means they want to read manuscripts at Penguin. That's not a super realistic goal for anyone unless they are in New York City, are independently wealthy, and are willing to start at the very bottom of the ladder. But there are nonetheless many other jobs for good writers, editors, and researchers all around the country. We were seeing more writers telecommuting even before the pandemic too, so I hope that indicates that such jobs are more about performance than about location.
There were also many jobs being advertised for English teachers in local public schools before the pandemic. I hope that continues.
How do you envision technology impacting Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Kathleen Hohenleitner: We're also seeing an increase in writers of copy for the internet, for websites, for Search Engine Optimization, and social media marketing (which is more complex than merely creating a Facebook page). I think that will only grow. Two of our alums started their own successful internet company doing SEO and social media marketing, and I'm so proud of them for seeing the future and blazing that trail. Their success indicates that this bodes well for the future of internet writing.
Wallace Meyer
Lecturer and Entrepreneurship Program DirectorUniversity of Kansas
School of Business
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Sciences Lecturers?
Wallace Meyer: Yes, severalfold:
All reports od COVID will not be disappearing, so a COVID environment will impact graduates during at least the first 2-3 years post-graduation.
The virus has made immutable changes in our behavior, and it's highly unlikely that we'll return to pre-COVID lifestyles. From the mundane (no/fewer handshakes)to the economic (a majority of small businesses will have failed before allowed to reopen fully) to the demographic (population migrations from big cities to suburbs, exurbs, and even rural counties), to organizational (companies have discovered higher productivity rates of their employees working remotely than in the office) there will be significant and enduring shifts in our lifestyles.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Social Sciences Lecturers to find work opportunities?
Wallace Meyer: The technology sectors will continue to provide robust employment opportunities, followed by health care and education (a combination of health care worker attrition and demand, and for education retirement and the increasing likelihood of some form of government subsidy of higher education will increase the demand for teachers). Startups will also rebound strongly to fill the void of the thousands of lost small and medium-sized businesses.
How do you envision technology impacting Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 5 years?
Wallace Meyer: Remotely located teams will require increasingly sophisticated project management, connectivity, and product builder software. Government-sponsored or industry-initiated technological solutions to climate change will be demanded (power distribution and storage, alternative energy sources, ocean flooding, weather, and fire protection) and technologies to overcome our currently suboptimally effective remote learning will be needed to expand our base of educable students.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Sciences Lecturers?
Kelly Fisher: We're still going to be dealing with living during a pandemic and living post-pandemic for awhile. I imagine that it is no different for graduates in any program. For graduates in Criminal Justice programs, they may end up working in social work fields, in private security, in policing, in corrections, in community corrections, in the court system, etc.
I think the hiring processes will all remain pretty similar to most agencies. From what I've seen so far in my own community, the police recruitment, corrections recruitment, and many others have remained the same as pre-pandemic. In terms of job availability, on one side of the coin, I've seen the increase of businesses hiring private security to help with increased business in a given field, or even just increased security to help implement safety procedures now in place at individual companies as a means to protect employees and customers alike.
On the other side of the coin, I've seen where other smaller agencies and service providers have been unable to hire additional staff, or additionally have their current staff work at full capacity. As a direct result of the pandemic and the effects it played on the economy, nonprofit agencies that rely on funding sources are faced with very trying challenges to maintain their operations.
Most of this is cyclical and covered in the process of one's education in my program. This is a reality for students going into fields where they work directly for a nonprofit agency/department. I will also add that we are seeing increases in child abuse and other forms of domestic violence, which is a result of the conditions created by the pandemic. This is something that then impacts the local criminal justice system.
One arrest from domestic violence will impact police, local corrections, the court system, possibly a victim advocate, community support systems, potentially local child protection agencies, etc. The criminal justice system is a large interwoven group of professionals that all have very different roles, but that are all made necessary for potentially the same root cause.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Social Sciences Lecturers to find work opportunities?
Kelly Fisher: The amazing power of a criminal justice education is that it truly could take a graduate anywhere. Most of this is going to be driven on the personal interests and aspirations of the degree holder, but growth in the field occurs in towns and cities all over the country. We have students that chose to stay closer to home, while others have goals in mind to move to coastal cities or just larger metropolitan locations.
We also have a solid group of undergrad students who pursue graduate school options. An undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice is a great pre-law program for students wanting to obtain a Jurisprudence degree in their future.
How do you envision technology impacting Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 5 years?
Kelly Fisher: The most immediate change that technology has played a role in is in utilizing virtual meeting capabilities for things ranging from court dates and participant check-ins to parenting visits and staff meetings. To give you some personal examples that I see being used currently, I am the Vice President of our local Court Appointed Special Advocates group, and our volunteers are currently meeting with their children through Zoom.
Additionally, I am a facilitator for a men's nonviolence education group. When we have health reasons that would not allow a participant to attend a group, we also utilize Zoom to allow continued services. I think this will continue to be the practice for many organizations for some time to come. In terms of other technologies, body cam use has grown over the past few years as an answer to not only transparency and accountability but also to aid in officer safety.
The hope is that as newer technologies continue to develop in any field, they will only aid the ease of job-related tasks or help to be utilized for training purposes. At the Indiana University Kokomo Crime Lab, we have a digital range system that allows students to work on their shooting accuracy and proficiency. Newer adjustments to available software will let us use the same system to practice scenario-based reactions to active shooters and/or hostage situations. In education, we try to stay up to date with the same level of technology available to our agency partners as a means to help our students be prepared for their future careers.
What general advice would you give to a Social Sciences Lecturer?
Rebecca Sarver: Listen more than you talk. There is so much to be learned from clients, seasoned human service workers, and the community that you work within. By listening and observing versus always feeling compelled to speak, you will learn job skills, people skills, and your clients' needs.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 3-5 years?
Rebecca Sarver: The use of remote and virtual meetings will continue even after COVID-19. Face to face meetings may still be the preferred method of contact, but the reality is that many clients who need to access services do not have reliable and consistent transportation to get to the services. Phones and computers enable more convenient meetings that are less costly in terms of time and travel. Some clients may prefer not to leave their homes.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Sciences Lecturers?
Rebecca Sarver: Yes, coronavirus pushed many disciplines, including human services, into virtual service provision. Some clients and some staff may prefer to work remotely. I have read that some organizations found their employees to be more productive when working from home. Conducting some work from home and having virtual meetings with other service providers even while at the job site can be a real time saver and money saver for all parties involved.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Sciences Lecturers?
Stephen Feldbauer: The need for Materials Engineers will continue to be healthy, and one may argue that it will grow. As the workforce ages and people leave, young engineers will be needed to backfill the workplace and work in new opportunities created by advancing technology and industry.
The pandemic and resultant online teaching approach have caused many students to take a gap year, attend a local college, or defer college altogether. So few universities offer a Materials Engineering program. Those who do typically graduate a small number of Materials Engineers; hence, fewer graduates will fill the vacancies and the growing need.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Social Sciences Lecturers to find work opportunities?
Stephen Feldbauer: Another impact of the pandemic is rooted in the preparation that high school students are receiving. With the unexpected push to go online in the spring of 2020, and many schools choosing to remain online or go blended through the 2020 - 2021 school year, the students have lost momentum and been exposed to less rigorous university preparation. The result will be more students struggling to enter the university and succeed. This will slow the graduation rate, if the current quality standard of the university programs is maintained.
How do you envision technology impacting Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 5 years?
Stephen Feldbauer: The pandemic will also have an impact on the way that Materials Engineers work. As the virtual workplace has become so universally accepted, Materials Engineers now have more employment opportunities that are not restricted by their desire to live in a particular location. This will make the competition for a company to get Materials Engineers even greater nationwide.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Sciences Lecturers?
Douglas Milbauer: Are you asking for a personal opinion here? The impact on graduates will be as "enduring" as each individual wants or allows it to be. I can relate to a story. I wash, dry, and reuse aluminum foil. My wife and children find this amusing. I do this because my mother did this (and still does this well into her 80's). My mother did this because her mother did this. And both my mother and her mother were products of the Great Depression. One can say that the Great Depression had a multi-generational impact. Will COVID have this same enduring impact? My guess is yes, it will. Will generations of people start washing and reusing aluminum foil? Not likely, but there will likely be other habits that will emerge - stocking up on paper products, perhaps? Keeping extra cash nearby? Paying attention to the type(s) of occupations one chooses or avoids? It will be an interesting phenomenon to observe over time.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Social Sciences Lecturers to find work opportunities?
Douglas Milbauer: Are we talking about graduates in the near term? There are shifts taking place due to COVID, such as loss of jobs due to businesses closing. But there will be other opportunities that arise from this creative destruction. And when you say "places," are you asking about geography or industry sectors? I am not sure that geography will be a factor, and it may become less a factor, since everyone is learning how to manage their business remotely. There will continue to be marketing opportunities, especially for those who can quickly grasp and apply new technologies to the marketing mix.
How do you envision technology impacting Social Sciences Lecturers in the next 5 years?
Douglas Milbauer: Five years, in technology, is a long tunnel to look down, but people and technology will continue to rule. While technology will enable and extend the marketing effort, it will still be people and that personal touch that will be the difference between those companies who make it and those that excel. AI will be exciting to watch as people and machines continue to blend.