I am trying to choose between social work and anthropology. ...?

Question

I kind of want to be professor because i love anthropology. I want to study food and health. I need to register for classes next week and Im stresssing out really bad because i dont want to waste me money on classes when im gonna change my major. can someone tell me how difficult it is to become a professor and what are the steps to take. also. i might want to get a masters in public health and work in policy ... how could i go about the with anthropology thankss!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

The first answer is right on.  Major in Anthropology for your undergrad, if you decide it's the love of your life move on to the  Masters/PhD phase. You'll definitely need a PhD to be an Anthro professor.  This will probably take 8-10 years after you get your BA, but remember that being a graduate student usually entails an assistantship which is paid.

If you decide that's all too much, you can get your master's in social work, that should only take you two years.

Answer 2

I had the same prob as you do, choosing between social work and anthro. I chose anthro when somebody said to me that you are going to be no good at social work if you are crying more than the person you are trying to help. So I chose anthro and I dont regret it. I am going to go all the way with it because it opens so many doors. My suggestion - take anthro and your other major - law. After your undergrad choose which will be most important in order for you to achieve your aims. Who knows, maybe they will change, but anthro will allow you to be flexible.

I went into anthro to be a forensic anthropologist and now am specializing in environmental anth - which I found is my real calling. Dont limit yourself by just wanting to be a professor, a whole world of opportunity and adventure will open up with anth.

If think you can do social work without crying more than the person you are helping - go for it. the world needs more people like you. Social workers do not get the credit they deserve. Either way - you could go anthro and social work and choose at the end of undergrad. The subjects compliment and enrich eachother.

I dont know how it works where you are but in SA you get 2 majors and then do Honours and further with the one you like best. Personally I went for Anthro and Development Studies, which is also an option for you if you want to influence policy.

Best of luck, the whole world lies before you!

Answer 3

Major in whichever you like the most, with the knowledge that you will invariably be going to graduate school if you want to make a living out of it.  Professing means getting a Ph.D.  Social work requires a master's degree to do anything useful as well.  But you can do anthro, social work, public health, etc. as a graduate program without it mattering what your actual undergraduate major was.