Careers in Anthropology: What You Need to Know

Types of Jobs Available For Those Interested in Anthropology

Anthropologists study humans as a group in a way that integrates the natural and social sciences. Anthropologists study the behavior, development, and origin of humans, and many focus their studies on one particular region of the world, such as the South Pacific, Eastern Europe, or Latin America. Most anthropologists work as members of a research team and spend their days collecting information, meeting with colleagues, and writing reports on their research. There are quite a few specializations within anthropology, including the following:

• Archeology, the study of ancient cultures through the artifacts they left behind
• Linguistic anthropology, the study of the role of language in culture and the development of societies
• Sociocultural anthropology (also called social anthropology or cultural anthropology), the study of a particular aspect of a society or various societies, such as politics, education, religion, family, or law
• Physical anthropology, which investigates the biological and social evolution of humans and how biology and culture influence each other
• Forensic anthropology, the application of anthropology to law enforcement; forensic anthropologists work with police departments to identify remains and help solve crimes
• Medical anthropology, the application of anthropological studies to better understand health and illness.
• University anthropology, which involves teaching as well as research. These anthropologists work at post-secondary institutions, researching, writing, teaching, and consulting

Anthropology could be a fascinating career if you enjoy study and research. A potential challenge for anthropologists is that they must work well with others and yet also work well alone, since certain assignments may require solitude. Anthropologists must be able to live among other cultures or in field camps, since many jobs in anthropology require living with another culture to observe it or living near an excavation site to conduct archeological research. However, if you are fascinated by human beings and want to better understand all facets of life through human biological, historical, and cultural processes, anthropology could be the career for you.

Formal Training Required to Work in Anthropology

For jobs in anthropology, a bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for entry-level positions. Typical coursework in anthropology includes statistics, linguistics, history, archeology, folklore, archeological writing, and courses in the history and culture of various social groups of the world, narrowed by ethnicity, region, or time period. If you want to work in anthropological research, a master's degree, which usually takes two years beyond a bachelor's degree to complete, is typically the minimum requirement. If you are interested in teaching at the university level, a PhD is usually necessary, and typically takes eight years beyond the bachelor's degree to complete. Those who earn a higher degree in anthropology must complete a thesis or dissertation and several months of field study.

The Typical Career Path of Someone Interested in Anthropology

While most anthropology careers are focused on research or teaching, other job fields are starting to employ those who have a background in anthropology. More companies, organizations, and government entities want to hire those with the diverse knowledge of human biology and culture that anthropology offers. For example, anthropological consultants can apply their analytical skills and knowledge to economic progress in developing countries or to aiding the United States government in understanding the cultural climate of a particular world region.

A typical anthropologist needs excellent written and oral communication skills and an analytical, logical mind. If you're considering majoring in anthropology, ask yourself whether you enjoy learning about the ways that individuals from various cultures are similar and different. An anthropologist must enjoy inquiry and research and have a passion for discovering general truths from range of particular situations and facts.

Job Outlook and Salary Information for Anthropology Majors

The anthropology field is expected to grow by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is much faster than the average. While academic and research jobs are expected to remain fairly steady, fields such as management and technical consulting services are looking for those with the communication skills, analytical abilities, and knowledge of diverse human societies that anthropology requires. The money you earn as an anthropologist depends on your specialty, your employer, and the number of years that you work. For example, the average anthropologist salary is $57,300, while the average salary of post-secondary anthropology instructors is $73,410.

Regardless of where you work or the specialty you choose, make sure to investigate your options to decide whether a career in anthropology is right for you.