Anthropology Major....worth it ?

Question

I'm thinking of going into Anthropology at McMaster University and was wondering if it is worth it, are there jobs afterward and can i make a decent living? i already know i like it i just need to know if i can support myself.

Answer 1

If you are interested then it is worth it. I went into anthropology mainly because I've always been fascinated by other cultures and their traditions and now I teach it at the university where I graduated. One thing I suggest is to get to know your professors who can write recommendations for you. That is how I got my teaching job and probably would not have my job without it.

There are a lot of things that you can do with a degree but need at least an MA. Take some classes and see which sub-discipline you like and go from there.

At the very least you will have a  strong foundation for whatever field you end up going into.

Answer 2

It is entirely up to what you want out of the discipline.  

Anthropology is an enormous field, encompassing four big sub-disciplines: Cultural Anthropology, Biological Anthropology, Linguistic Anthropology and Archaeology.

No matter which sub-discipline you choose to specialize in, you will need to at least go to graduate school to get a master's degree.  The master's degree is the entry level degree for most anthropological jobs, but really, you would need to go to the doctorate level of phD to become a full fledged researcher and professor.

If you want to be rich, anthropology is not for you. You could get a job as an archaeological field technician, if you have the proper background and a bachelor's degree.  But, it is very hard work.

Forensic anthropology is a highly competitive field.  

Check out the American Anthropological Association;s jobs and careers website:  http://www.aaanet.org/careers.htm

You will see that most jobs require a phD or Master's Degree.

So, it is entirely up to you.  I think that you would have to be a very dedicated student to go all the way, take out lots of student loans, and have the courage to follow through.  Expect lots of difficulty along the way, but you can do it.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I'm taking anthropology right now and seriously, the subject puts me to sleep. Be a forensic anthropologist, they should make a decent living. good luck.

Answer 4

fun

Answer 5

One thing's for sure; you will need an advanced degree to do anything worthwhile with anthropology. Without it you can not get either an interesting, satisfying job or a well paying one.

Answer 6

The field is fascinating, but it depends on what type of anthro you are interested it as to what kind of job you can get.  Anthro has 4 subfields..cultural, linguistic, biological, and archaeology.  Most require advanced degrees to get decent jobs.