Do you have a Bachelor's in Anthropology? Are you employed?

Question

This is a very interesting subject for me but I never see ads for Anthropologists in the newspaper.

Answer 1

I majored in cultural anthropology as an undergrad and I was employed before graduate school.  I worked in a museum maintaining some collections. It wasn't the most exciting job in the world but at least it was relevant to my interests.  Friends who were anthropology majors went on to do a range of things ranging from working for a national women's organization to joining the peace corps.  Your undergrad major does not necessarily determine what sorts of jobs you can apply for and what lines of work you'll end up in.  According to one of my employed friends, some employers really like anthropology majors because they are good critical thinkers.  

That said, if you're hoping for a job doing the kind of anthropology you read about in school, it's best to go to graduate school.

Answer 2

I have my Bachelor's in Anthropology.  I was employed as a Marketing executive for an internet company 2 months after I graduated. It paid OK but I hated the job so I left after 4 months in the position. I've been unemployed since then.

I'm doing my post-graduate this year and hopefully I will be more competitive in the field of market research. But my interest is to be a teacher so I think I'd go get my PhD.

I think if you want to work in fields that are not related to anthropology, you'll have no problems getting a job. But a job is a job, you probably won't like it very much.  The reason that you can get a job no matter what you study is that people don't really care what your major is unless the job requires very specialized skill.  However, don't expect that you can get a job related to anthropology with just a BA.  It's hard although not impossible.  I myself have gone through tough time during my unemployed period.

In any case, if you want to work for a market research or research companies, a master degree will help.  If you want to stay in academic, a PhD is needed.

Good luck.

Answer 3

See this website:

http://www.thesca.org/

The Student Conservation Association places student volunteers with National and State Parks, Bureau of Land Management, etc  I am sure there are places for people with training in anthropology there.  Good luck.

Answer 4

I do have a BA in anthropology, and an MA, and have been employed (I am now a PhD student). My own employment has been in contract archaeology. I do know many people with BAs and MAs in social anthropology who have gotten jobs in marketing, advertising, education, counseling, state department, etc. - pretty much any field where knowledge of people, culture and society is needed. Or, people go on to get advanced degrees in psychology, law, or education, or try for university professorships. A BA in anthropology is a good jumping off point for a lot of other careers, but I do not think there are entry level jobs for anthropologists.