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California State University, Long Beach
Student receiving Career advise on choosing a Major
 

ANTHROPOLOGY/ARCHAEOLOGY: What can I do with this Major?

EDUCATION
CAREER
Teaching
Research
Administration
EMPLOYERS
Universities/colleges/community colleges
University research institutes or laboratories
Campus museums
STRATEGIES
Ph.D. required for university and college faculty positions. M.A./M.S. required for community colleges. Earn a graduate degree in College Student Affairs for work in administration. Gain experience assisting professors with research. Maintain a high g.p.a and develop strong personal recommendations.
MUSEUMS AND ARCHIVES
CAREER
Management
Curatorship
Conservation
Research
Education
Libraries
Development
EMPLOYERS
Natural History or History Museums: Universities, State, federal or local, Private
Archives
STRATEGIES
Graduate degree in anthropology, museum studies, library science (with an emphasis on archives) or other related discipline is required. Obtain internship or volunteer positions to gain experience.
GOVERNMENT
CAREER
Administration
Cultural Resource Management
Surveying
Site Management
Excavation
Research
Museum Conservation
Legislative Compliance Review
Program Management and Evaluation
Policy Analysis
Urban Planning
EMPLOYERS
Federal Agencies:
Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Land Management
Central Intelligence Agency
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Federal Bureau of Investigation
National Institutes of Health
National Park Service
Public Health Service
Smithsonian Institute
Tennessee Valley Authority
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Department of State
U.S. Forest Service
State Agencies:
Historic Preservation Offices
Parks Departments
Highway Departments
STRATEGIES
Learn federal or state application procedures. Graduate degree generally required for higher level positions. Gain related experience through internships in areas of interest. Develop statistical, analytical and computer skills and investigate research methodologies. Get involved in campus organizations to develop leadership abilities and interpersonal skills.
NONPROFIT
CAREER
Administration
Program management and development
Policy analysis
Counseling
Research
EMPLOYERS
Nonprofit organizations
Social service agencies
Hospitals and medical centers
Private foundations, e.g. The Ford Foundation
International organizations, e.g. The World Health Organization and The International Red Cross
STRATEGIES
Seek volunteer and internship positions to gain experience. Hone skills in public speaking, writing, and programming. Obtain a degree in counseling for therapy positions.
BUSINESS
CAREER
Administration/Management
Advertising
Human Resources
Public Relations
Sales/Marketing
Writing/Editing
EMPLOYERS
Advertising agencies/departments
Business firms
Consulting firms
Publishers: textbook, magazine, newspaper, book
Retail stores
STRATEGIES
Develop practical skills such as computer expertise, written and verbal communication, project management, etc. Earn a minor in business or communications. Gain experience through internships, volunteer or paid positions.
ARCHAEOLOGY
CAREER
Cultural Resource Management
Research/ Excavation
EMPLOYERS
Consulting firms
Environmental/engineering companies
Firms specializing in archaeological investigation
Federal, state and local government
STRATEGIES
Field positions require a B.S./B.A. and previous field experience.
Obtain graduate degree to direct field crews.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Most professional anthropological jobs require a graduate degree.
  • Those interested in anthropology may specialize in one of its four branches: archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics, or physical anthropology.
  • Many subfields exist within the larger specialties such as forensic anthropology, a subfield of physical anthropology.
  • May need a willingness to travel and endure adverse living/working conditions during field studies or excavations. Working conditions and hours vary with the type of work/research performed.
  • As the demand for university/college faculty positions decreases, most openings will be in consulting firms and government agencies.
  • For jobs outside of academia, earn a degree in another field such as sociology, political science, law, medicine, business, urban planning, or public administration to increase employment opportunities.
  • Anthropology is good preparation for jobs that involve people skills and require an understanding of cultural differences.
  • Spend a summer in field school or travel and study other cultures.
  • Volunteer to help with a professor's research.
  • Gaining relevant work experience through internships, practicums, part-time jobs, or volunteer positions is critical.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005)
UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer
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