Formation of Key Competencies of Sociologist in the Epoch of a Digital Economy

Abstract

   The article describes the understanding of the term “key competencies”, the classification of competencies into soft and hard skills, analyses their importance for the development of a specialist in the professional field. We revealed the essence of each of competencies’ types, their composition, and significance in the professional development of a sociologist . During the research, we carried out a content analysis of the differences between soft and hard skills. The article includes an analysis of key competencies of a sociologist such as the ability to organise oneself; work in a team; act in non-standard situations; be able to use ICT; possess modern methods of analysis; organise project work and others. As a result of the investigation, we formed the authors’ classification of the sociologist’s competencies and given in descending order of their importance for the sphere of sociology. The article also touches upon the problem of the professional standard in the field of sociology . For the time being, it has not been fully formed and is interpreted differently among the professional and educational community. Finally, we considered the process of digitalisation and its impact on the evolution of professional competencies in general, and the skills of a sociologist.