What are some pros and cons of going into Anthropology?

Question

What are some pros and cons of going into Anthropology?

Answer 1

You can do many things with a degree in Anthropology because it is such a diverse field (it is, essentially, the study of "people"). You can go into business (a lot of HR and marketing departments hire Anthro majors), the government also hires a lot of Anthro majors (FBI, CIA, etc), you can go into teaching or social work, or you can persue an advanced degree and work in the field or do research.

The only con I can think of is that you will not be able to make tons of money with only a BA in Anthropology, a decent amount, but not as much as with a degree in Math, Engineering or Business.

Answer 2

Pros. Easy, non-demanding work.

Cons. It is a social science, thus lacking in rigor and relevance.

Answer 3

First, Anthropology is every bit as demanding, rigorous and relevant as any science--

Pros--You grow in your appreciation and tolerance of people and cultures.  Fascinating subject matter--regardless of the sub-field.  I enjoyed my courses immensely.

Cons--You must go on to graduate school (you really need a PhD); lower pay than many fields.

Answer 4

The pros depend on what sub filed you are contemplating.  I was a primatologist.  There is nothing like the work I did.  It was awesome on a level most people could not comprehend.  It was interesting, engaging and extremely relevant to the human condition (despite what the prior poster thinks).  It addresses life's "BIG QUESTIONS".  It's not an insurance job - that's for sure.

The Cons:  Sorry for this but it's the reality.  You need a PhD to be a professional in the field.  The jobs are few and far between.  What jobs there are are very competitive.  Most are funded by government agencies so funding is precarious when budget cuts come through.  It's all about WHO you know.  The politics within the field are awful.  I worked for one man who ran 20+ people out of the filed for personal reasons.  He of course is still in the field and doing much better than he deserves.

Answer 5

Pros: It rocks. If you love Anthropology, you'll love your job. There's travel, job autonomy, prestige, opportunity for constant intellectual growth. Most anthropologists live for their jobs and never really retire.

Cons: Requires many years of graduate school. Not for people who love money.

Answer 6

Pro: You get to dig in the dirt, have lots of fun finding things that are hidden, and can pretend that you're Indiana Jones.

Con:  The money's lousy, and you're rarely if ever going to get credit.

Answer 7

Pros are that it looks interesting and you'll have a degree.  The cons are it might be hard to find a job.