A student with a Bachelor’s degree in anthropology has acquired critical analysis skills, oral and written communication skills, "people" skills, and a great understanding of many different cultures, which have many applications in public service, political activism and the private sector. Like other students, Anthropology majors increase their marketability with gaining experience in a industry while in college, through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work. Additionally, students can add to their range of knowledge by taking courses within or outside their major that would give them specific information useful in their career field of interest.
•National/State Park Interpreter Program Assistant
• Probation Officer
• Friend of the Court Caseworker
• Field Archaeologist Laboratory Assistant
• Museum Technician
• Peace Corps Volunteer
• Loan Officer/Bank Officer
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Caseworker
• Employment Recruiter
• Travel Agent/Guide/Consultant
• Legislative Aide
• Research Associate
• Insurance Claims Adjuster
• Marketing Researcher
• Immigration Inspector
• Management Trainee
• Sales Representative
• Advocate
• Health Science Administrator
• Physician
• Social Worker
• Family Service Counselor
• Job Counselor
• Public Health Educator
• Genetic Counselor
• Medical Anthropologist
• Social Service Agency Planner
• Academic Advisor/Counselor
• Collections Manager
• Foundation Program Manager
• Anthropologist
• College Professor
• Genealogist
• Museum Education Director
• Archaeologist
• Librarian
• Paleontologist
• Archivist
• Contract Archaeologist
• Linguist
• Scientific Linguist
• Art Conservator
• Ethnologist
• Social Science Analyst
• Behavioral Science Advisor
• Media Planner
• Teacher, Elementary/Secondary
• Bilingual/Bicultural Program Specialist
• Forensic Anthropologist
• Multicultural Education Specialist / Director
• Teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Vocational Teacher
• Cultural Artifact Specialist
• Community Development Officer
• Cultural Resource Manager
• International Agency Representative
• Community Planner
• Foreign Affairs Officer
• Rural Development Officer
• Congressional Committee Staff Director
• Park Service Supervisor/Director
• Social Insurance Representative
• Coroner/Medical Examiner
• Head Start Program Director
• Peace Corps Area Director
• State/Federal Government Policy Analyst
• Urban Planner
• Environmental Impact Assessment Researcher
• Human Resources Manager
• Management Consultant
• Technical Writer
• Biographer
• Industrial Psychologist
• Marketing Manager
• Employee Relations Specialist
• Media Specialist
• Journalist
• Union Legal Counsel
Note: Some of the occupations listed above may require additional education, experience, or training beyond a Bachelor’s Degree. To research these occupations use the Career Research Resources links below.
• Museums: Exhibit design, conservation of and research with collections, museum administration.
• Federal Agencies: Many archaeologists and cultural anthropologists work for the National Park Service, the Agency for International Development, the National Institutes of Health, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other agencies. Some are also employed as staff members for Congressional committees.
• International Agencies: Anthropologists with expertise in cultures of developing countries are employed by the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank.
• Consulting: Includes historical and ethnographic research for Indian tribes; forensic work for police agencies; archaeological survey and excavation, social/cultural impact assessment for large-scale construction projects; designing bilingual and bicultural curricula with school professionals; assessing health care services for specific cultural groups. (American Anthropological Association) Anthropologists are increasingly being employed in non-academic (applied) settings as well as in academia. Students obtaining employment immediately upon graduation are usually those with the best college records and a willingness to relocate to find a job. Use the following examples of employment opportunities for Anthropology majors as an idea list, and remember that it represents some, but certainly not all, of the careers you might consider. Some of these jobs also require education beyond the bachelors’ degree.
Skills Needed by Anthropology majors:
• Planning projects
• Writing grant proposals
• Interviewing
• Surveying and sampling
• Gathering and organizing data
• Examining data and artifacts
• Conducting field studies
• Summarizing results
• Communication across cultures and languages
• Recognizing cultural differences and similarities
Other Anthropology resources
Reach out to CMU Career Services for resources and guidance on reaching your career goals. Career Services takes an active role in providing career exploration, workshops, events and on-campus employer visits to encourage students to investigate and gain information while creating their career path.