How should anthropologists look for jobs?

Question

I have just finished my MA in Anthropology and am having a difficult time finding a job. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? My focus was in cultural anthropology but I am trained in archaeology and biological as well. Thanks!

Answer 1

Digging!

;-)

Answer 2

you dig and dig and dig... until you reach china :)

Answer 3

I recommend these sites:

http://www.eculturalresources.com/

http://www.bajr.org

Answer 4

i might suggest a canoe...?

Answer 5

If you want an archaeology job, go to shovelbums.org and get on their mailing list.  Also go to archaeologyfieldwork.com.  It's spring, almost summer, and there are tons of listings.  It's mostly CRM archaeology, both at the field tech and the supervisor levels, but there are often listings for permanent positions in CRM firms or governmental offices.  There are even occasionally ones that aren't for archaeologists, but for similar fields.

Answer 6

The problem with finding a job in the field of Anthropology is that it is difficult to make a career out of it unless you have a PhD.  A lot of people with MAs in Anthro work at universities while they complete their dissertation.

Other than that, you can look into historical sites.  I volunteered one summer at Montpelier in the archaeology department.  As a lowly volunteer, I spent most of my time picking snail shells and burnt wood chips out of heaps of dirt, but the actual employees got to analyze the shells and wood chips.  (They were trying to learn about the fire that destroyed Madison's parents' home.)  I know that Monticello and Mt. Vernon also have anthro/archaeo departments.  Essentially, check out any sites dealing with dead presidents or other important historical figures.

Another place you could look into is museums.  Jobs at museums may be less than glamerous, but you'd still be able to to take part in what you love.

I knew an archaeologist who worked for the state of New York with the survey department.  If the state was planning on putting a new road down or building a new building, it was his job too check out the site and make sure there was nothing historically important on that land that was going to be destroyed by the new construction.  He seemed to have a great time at his job.

It is very hard to find a job in the field of Anthropology, especially without the PhD.  It is even difficult finding a job outside the field with an anthro degree.  In several interviews I have gone to, the potential employer will look over my resume and say, "So, your degree is in Anthropology?"  "Yes," I respond.  "That sounds very fascinating," the interviewer says.  "Yessir.  It is a very interesting field."  Pause.  "What exactly IS Anthropology?"  And of course, even after I explain what it is, the interviewer still is not entirely sure what to make of it.  The whole process is very frustrating, though still slightly amusing.

I wish you luck in your quest for employment in the field.  Hopefully you have a much better time of it than I.

Answer 7

Two of the easiest ways are getting connected to a musuem or becoming a surveyor. Believe it or not...many historical sites have been found by surveyors that were making sure no building would be set on top of it.

You can being volunteer work for an archaeological firm, which acutally isn't that hard anymore. They are all over the country, especially if you are in any of the Native American populated areas. Almost anywhere in the southwest. OK, KS, are good places too. Because archaeology is becoming a bigger and more important field with each year...the number of firms opening up is growing. I work as a volunteer during the summer with the firm my anthro professor's firm.

Or you can become a researcher for a college. Like UCR, Boston, UCLA, Cal

In acutality...there are so many things that you can do with cultural anthropology. All it basically is is working and studying the behavior of people. Now, there is less you can do with archaeology...because it's all historical...but you shouldn't have that much of a problem finding something..

I am still working on my anthro BA, and want to get my MA. I have plans of joining the Peace Corps after I graduate. You can do something like that. Work for the United Nations or the Red Cross. UNICEF, UNHCR...there are so many committees that you can join and hook up with that you can do anthropological work in.

Answer 8

check out the link.................

Answer 9

Newspaper...digging..that's a good one I have to admit.