Analysis of the professional image of a sociologist: regional specifics (based on a survey of employers)

There is a certain standard for a specialist in any profession, compliance with which is a guarantee of a person's successful labor activity. Compliance with this standard implies not only mastery of competencies, but also the development of a professional image. The purpose of this article is to determine the requirements for the professional image of sociology students, based on the perceptions and impressions of employers regarding specialists in this field. The analysis of the results of the employers' survey revealed that the professional image of a sociologist consists of the basic characteristics of a specialist (broad comprehension of sociological research, ability to apply sociological methods, to analyze the data obtained), including “soft” skills (communication skills, stress resistance), which are supplemented by applied characteristics (skills in statistical software). The professional image of a sociologist also includes personality traits (responsibility, desire to learn, etc.) and partly conforms to expectations that have formed among the general public: clients, specialized organizations, and the university community. In the Amur Region, employers' perceptions of a sociologist are generally similar to those in other regions of Russia, but there are some regional differences: less emphasis on the ability to analyze and interpret data, work in specialized statistical programs, communication skills and, on the contrary, more emphasis on discipline and diligence.