Career Advice for a Social Science Research Assistant

Working as a Social Science Research Assistant, you will be responsible for assisting scientists with survey or laboratory-related research.

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How to Become a Social Science Research Assistant

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Social Science Research Assistant

Should you wish to work as a Social Science Research Assistant you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Social Science Research Assistant

  • Proficiency with analysis software such as SPSS, OriginPro, or Datapine.
  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science, Sociology, Psychology, History, or Geography.
  • Five GCSEs.
  • Three A Levels.

Key Responsibilities for a Social Science Research Assistant

  • Assisting scientists with research and experiments, gathering data, cleaning equipment, and organising stock and supplies.
  • Verifying the data’s validity and accuracy.
  • Carrying out interviews with test subjects, recording their personal information.
  • Creating reports, graphs, and tables, presenting these to science heads.
  • Writing case studies and updating existing research.
  • Reviewing existing research and considering the findings when creating new experiments or studies.

What to expect as a Social Science Research Assistant

When you become a Social Science Research Assistant, you will work in a research facility or laboratory. Successful Social Science Research Assistants have excellent communication, analytical thinking, and organisational skills.

Recommended Social Science Research Assistant Jobs

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How to get Social Science Research Assistant Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Social Science Research Assistant job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Social Science Research Assistant application. If you have not held a Social Science Research Assistant position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Social Science Research Assistant role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Social Science Research Assistant CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Social Science Research Assistant application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Social Science Research Assistant in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Social Science Research Assistant 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Social Science Research Assistant and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Social Science Research Assistant experience.

How to get Social Science Research Assistant Experience

What does it take to be a Social Science Research Assistant? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Social Science Research Assistant jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Social Science Research Assistant through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Social Science Research Assistant Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Social Science Research Assistant part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Social Science Research Assistant or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Social Science Research Assistant freelance work

If you have impressive Social Science Research Assistant qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.