Careers in Anthropology

Anthropology majors learn communication, flexibility, analytical skills

Studying anthropology sharpens your critical thinking skills and broadens your background, helping you to be flexible enough to fit into a variety of employment opportunities. You also will develop your communication and analysis skills to develop a sophisticated approach when assessing personal and career situations. Traditionally, professional anthropologists have taught and conducted research in colleges and universities or worked as curators in museums. Over the past two decades, however, more anthropologists have started working in applied fields, such as environmental assessment, planning and development, organizational consulting, medical research, and contract archaeology. Most non-teaching jobs in anthropology are in the areas of archaeology, applied anthropology, and environmental studies.

A recent survey of 4,600 anthropology graduates from 32 colleges and universities around the United States gave a good picture of what anthropology majors do with their undergraduate degrees. Of those responding, 43 percent were actively involved in careers in anthropology or closely related fields (primarily in museums, consulting firms, or government agencies) or were still working on advanced degrees. Another 29 percent had careers in some aspect of business (three-fourths of those in administration and management).

Career opportunities for anthropology graduates may include:

management
public relations
public affairs
legal services
marketing
communications
fund-raising
personnel
federal public service
archives and records services
law enforcement agencies
legislative service
libraries
cultural/heritage agencies
museums
teaching
information research
documentary film making
translating and interpreting
bilingual education
cultural brokerage
environmental impact assessment
forensics
genetics counseling
park ranger work
the publishing industry
journalism
travel work
historic preservation and historic archaeology
scientific and creative writing
international business
international development

Salaries
How much do graduates in anthropology earn? While some entry-level jobs may still start as low as $16,000 a year, most will be in the $20,000–$27,000 range. For master's degree graduates, starting salaries typically range $25,000–$32,000. For those who complete a doctoral degree and pursue a teaching position, nine-month academic salaries are typically $45,000–$50,000.

Employment and Internship Search Resources
These Web sites may be useful as you search for a job or internship:

Get Some Practice!
Volunteer Opportunities
We believe learning is doing and encourage you to begin exploring the many facets of anthropology early in your education.

In addition to introducing you to the field, "doing" anthropology work and other learning experiences will show potential employers that you have practiced the discipline.

We recommend that as an anthropology major you prepare a portfolio of your professional and educational experiences, including a curriculum vitae , goals, statements, and examples of experiential activities in anthropology.

To begin exploring volunteer and experiential activities to add to your education and portfolios, check out some of these sites:

Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum vitae (often called a CV or vita) and resumes have a similar purpose---to provide key information about your skills, experiences, education, and personal qualities.

A resume and vita differ in their use, format, and length. A vita is typically used in academic settings such as scientific and teaching positions, thus they tend to provide great detail about academic and research experiences. Where resumes tend toward brevity, vitas lean toward completeness. For tips on how to create your vita, go to www.quintcareers.com/curriculum_vitae.html.