CAREER PROSPECTS

Anthropologists can be found in an impressive array of fields and career paths. Anthropology prepares students for excellent jobs and opens doors to various career paths, by providing global informationand the skills critical for succeeding in business, research, teaching, advocacy, and public service.

ACADEMIC

Anthropologists can be found in an impressive array of fields and career paths. Anthropology prepares students for excellent jobs and opens doors to various career paths, by providing global information and the skills critical for succeeding in business, research, teaching, advocacy, and public service.

BUSINESS & CORPORATE

Many corporations look explicitly for anthropologists, recognizing the utility of their perspective on a corporate team. A corporate anthropologist working in market research might conduct targeted focus groups to examine consumer preference patterns not readily apparent through statistical or survey methods. These anthropologists use their research skills to talk to consumers and users of technology to find out how products and services could be improved to better meet the needs of consumers.

GOVERNMENT

State and local governmental organizations use anthropologists in planning, research, and managerial capacities. Contract archaeology is a growing occupation with state and federal legislative mandates to assess cultural resources affected by government-funded projects. Forensic anthropologists not only work with police departments to help identify mysterious or unknown remains but also work in university and museum settings.

The federal government is one of the largest employers of anthropologists outside of academia. Possible career paths include international development, cultural resource management, the legislative branch, forensic and physical anthropology, natural resource management, and defense and security sectors.

NON-PROFIT & COMMUNITY-BASED

Non-governmental organizations, such as international health organizations and development banks employ anthropologists to help design and implement a wide variety of programs. However, these aren’t the only opportunities available.

Many anthropologists work in local, community-based settings for non-profit agencies. Sometimes, they work through community-based research organizations. Other times, they might work for established organizations in a community like the local schools or environmental organizations.