What kind of careers could you get with a major in Cultural Anthropology?

Question

I recently discovered that anthropology is a vastly fascinating subject! However, I'm having some difficulty figuring out what to do with Anthropology after a BA or MA. Any suggestions?

(The problem is that I have a very spontaneous personality and would hate to be caught up in monotony.)

Answer 1

You can be an impartial hero since you would respect the differences of all cultures you study.

So yeah, you could consider the Hero career

Answer 2

Anthropology can be translated into cause oriented careers.  A political career, a lobbyist for the Sierra Club, seek employment at a Presidential Library, the Smithsonian Museum, I am sure National Geographic would find your background to be worthwhile and finally, journalism, from Entertainment News to working with National Public Radio.  If for no other reason because of the cultural nuance in contemporary culture your background is a very much needed in this country.  We have the immigration issue, global warming, discovery of inhabitable planets, exciting discoveries linking dinosaurs to birds and Native Alaskan American News is increasingly relevant, because of oil drilling.  This is the value of your pursuit of education.  Always remember, you make the degree, the degree doesn't make you.  Former Vice President Gore has a Masters of Divinity.  Look at the case he has made and how he has distinguished himself, because he has pursued his passion.  You do the same, regardless what others say you can or cannot do.  I am looking forward to your contribution.

Answer 3

there are a lot of businesses (mcdonalds, hallmark) that hire cultural anthropologists to help them understand a new area they want to market in.  as the world becomes more global there will always be a place for anthropologists.  you could also teach or write.  good luck!

Answer 4

I took a class on this in college.  As you probably have noticed, there are a lot of career opportunities involving Cultural Anthropology,  To start off, you could work in politics and the government.  In this class I took, we read about people working in both the federal government and local government.  A big problem (at least it was, don't know now) was that lack of knowledge of indigenous peoples of the world have led to flaws in military planning and other US foreign policy.  I don't have any contacts or resources for this though.

  After taking Medical Anthropology, I also learned that you can have an impact working with the current health care system and help be a support structure for the poor and abused.  Just some ideas, in reference to the medical field.

One cool job I read about was about being a park ranger  for the US Forestry Service.  There's probably lots of options in this field, including working with and informing people (hikers,climbers and other people that like the outdoors ) about their role in protecting natural habitats.  Further, in some other classes, I learned that park rangers and other anthropology types work, learn and respect the Native American traditions and ways of life.  There is a big debate and conflicts about what rights and responsibilities hikers, climbers and others of the sort (mainly white people) have to the environment and what Native Americans must preserve, and what they must give up.

I also heard about Business Anthropology, which especially relates to Sociology.  In this field, you learn how to make the work environment a suitable place (relates to Human Resources and whatnot)  You may have to deal with racism in the workplace or workers rights etc.  In addition, this may reach into the area of making the office or workplace a more comfortable place in order to assure people are relaxed, assure ,maximum effeciancy from all workers, and smooth out work related conflicts.  There is really much more to this than I am probably able to discuss, like for instance working with cultural differences in International Business. and business practices.

And lastly, you can go into research and study; maybe joining the Peace Corps or Ameri-Corpse in the process.  You might want to consider leading a career into education and academia by being a professor or teacher.  You could work with theory and Applied Anthropology in  developing countries or impoverished communities.

You mention that you have  a very spontaneous personality and that you would hate to be caught up in monotony.  I believe that in order to have a good career in anthropology you must like to mix it up and have a diverse job(s).  Spontaneous personalities is at some degree, the core of applied anthropology- you learn about people(s) and share their experince with the world.  It is not about monotony and personal gain.  You don't have a problem, you are the right fit for becoming an anthropologist.

(FYI- an Archaeologist is part of Physical Anthropology)

Answer 5

how about the most obvious one that im surprised no one answered. you could become an Archeaologist.