Careers in Anthropology
An anthropologist is a trained observer who knows the importance
of collecting data, listening to others and watching what they are doing,
reflecting on what has actually as well as apparently occurred,
researching context, applying various explanatory models
and adopting a broad perspective for framing an understanding.
Anthropology also teaches:
- Careful record-keeping
- Attention to detail
- Analytical reading
- Clear thinking
- Critical thinking
- Social ease in strange situations
- Strong oral and written
expression skills
- How to use
a range of
social behavior
- Biological and other scientific research
methods
- How to supplement statistical findings
with descriptive data gathered through participant observation,
interviewing and ethnographic study
- Holistic vision using a repertoire
of methods to gauge a deeper understanding of situations
Positons in Academic Settings
Traditionally, cultural anthropologists obtain doctorate degrees and work in institutions of higher education as teachers and researchers. Today, however, there are many and varied career options for applied anthropologists.
Positions in Nonacademic Settings
- Research institutes
- Nonprofit
associates
- Government agencies
- World organizations
- Private
corporations
- Non-governmental organizations, such
as international health organizations and development banks, employ
anthropologists
to help design and implement a wide variety of programs
worldwide and nationwide.
- State and local governmental organizations
use anthropologists in planning, research and managerial
capacities.
- Many corporations highly value the anthropologist's perspective on a corporate
team. A corporate
anthropologist working in market research might conduct
target focus groups to examine consumer preference patterns
not readily
apparent through statistical or survey methods.
To learn more about careers
in anthropology, visit:
