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Jason Smith, PhD
Jason Smith, PhD is a Jason Smith, PhD is a market research analyst and the lead consultant on his team for the American integrated health system, Kaiser Permanente – Mid-Atlantic States. He received his MA and PhD in sociology from George Mason University after first receiving a BA in sociology and communications from Christopher Newport University.
His “subject matter expert areas include brand/marketing messaging, member experience, product development, and diversity and equity.” As a market research analyst and lead consultant on his team, he helps “provide data analytics, insights, and capabilities to inform sales, marketing, and member experience strategies in [his] region, along with linking to enterprise efforts.” From a border perspective, Dr. Smith is “part of an in-house research department that supports organizational clients with market research questions. Services involve research ideation, design, implementation, and reporting of results to support organizational goals. Additional thought partnerships are established to help re/define goals and support strategy.”
For those interested in similar work, Dr. Smith listed the following skills as important: qualitative and quantitative methods, research design and project execution, collaborating as part of a team, ability to present findings to organizational leadership
You can connect with Dr. Smith on LinkedIn. Continue reading below for the full interview with Dr. Smith on his applied sociological work!
Using Sociology in Practice
In general, how do you use sociology in practice?
Thinking of complex systems and identifying inherent processes are useful skills to apply in my career. Understanding the tension between structure and agency is a key anchor to ensuring that my work supports centering members and consumers first regarding healthcare research.
How do you use sociological research methods in practice?
Identifying the right qualitative method, and when to apply, is helpful in relation to the research question or objective – i.e., focus groups, interviews, open-ended questions, or human centered design. Survey methodologies and understanding effective design is a large part of the work as well.
Lessons for Future Practitioners
What types of courses should undergraduate students take in preparation for a career similar to yours?
Make the most of your classes by learning how to come up with a point of view, rather than merely memorizing facts. Learning how to connect your theory and methods classes should help you develop an ability to come up with perspectives and insights.
What types of courses should graduate students take in preparation for a career similar to yours?
Maximizing the specialized methods courses offered at the graduate level would be beneficial. The more tools in your belt, the better suited for the job market you’ll be. Focus on thinking beyond the academy as well. A useful framework from a social problems perspective, that applies to non-academic work, is: (1) identifying a clear and distinct issue, (2) laying out what is known about it, and (3) offering a solution/perspective to address the issue.
What types of experiences should undergraduate students seek in preparation for a career similar to yours?
At an undergraduate level, find any opportunity to apply what you’re learning in your coursework. The campus is a unique space to get involved in clubs and organizations, or even start some!, that allows you to interact and work with others. Outside of campus, look for applied internships or entry level experiences that let you gain knowledge, not just perform routine tasks (don’t waste your time with these roles).
What types of experiences should graduate students seek in preparation for a career similar to yours?
Look for opportunities to work with stakeholders that let you collaborate. Being part of decision-making processes grounds the theory you’re learning and lets you see its limits.
What advice do you have for aspiring applied, clinical, and public sociologists?
Learn to trust your own expertise and acknowledge that your training as a sociologist gives you a unique view of the world. However, you might have to learn how to translate some of the jargon.
