What careers apply to physical anthropology?

Question

I'm not sure If I should major in this because it seems that there are not many jobs for this degree. Also the jobs that are out there would not even use the skills that I would acquire. Is it worth it?

Answer 1

I have a degree in cultural anthroplogy which most employers have seemed to overlook.  I have one friend in anthro who is applying with the highway patrol, another friend decided to continue and go for his phd to teach, and I'm just applying to random jobs with the city. It was an interesting subject, but I sort of wish I chose a degree that was more marketable.  Physical anthropology would probably be the same way if you weren't going to teach, do forensics, or something to that effect.

Answer 2

Forensics is the first that comes to mind. You can work for a police department or even the FBI.

You can teach, or work at a museum.

Really there are a lot of jobs for physical anthropologist, you may want to ask your professors if there are any digs or research you can participate in this summer. Some of my classmates went to Kentucky to study some bones from band level societies and their finding are going to be published by the professor. This is a big deal considering they are undergraduates. Talk to your professors about your options.

Answer 3

The most obvious is academia, teaching at a college or even a high school, along with pure research and publishing.  That's not at all your only option, however.

Physical anthropologists can work alongside archaeologists in understanding the biological remains found at excavations.

Museums.

Forensics.  Ever seen the tv show Bones?  The main charactrer is based on a real-life physical anthropologist.  There's also a strong biological anthro aspect to pathology.

Zoos, if you concentrate your studies on primate biology in your phys. anthro studies.

Applied Anthropometry is also a concentration in physical anthro where you study how the human body is designed for maximum efficiency of space in aeronautics and automotives.

You can also check out the American Association of Physical Anthropologists.  Their website is http://www.physanth.org/

Good luck with your anthropology studies!  I love it, though I focused my studies in archaeology.  You'll definitely use the skills you aqurie in studies in the above professions.  And, not for nothing , but they pay pretty well.  It's worth it.