WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN... ANTHROPOLOGY

an·thro·pol·o·gy The scientific study of the origin, the behavior, and the physical, social, and cultural development of human beings.* *"Anthropology." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Jul Last updated 3/2011 by A. Bervine

Anthropology Majors Study Human behavior Cultural and societal relations Human biology and evolution Languages Music, art, and architecture Human migration patterns Cultural similarities and differences...and more

Specializations Anthropology involves several broad fields including: Socio-cultural Anthropology Linguistic Anthropology Physical Anthropology Archaeology Each field teaches distinct skills, such as applying theories, employing research methodologies, formulating and testing hypotheses, and developing extensive data sets.

1. Socio-cultural Anthropology Study of customs and group culture in settings that vary from non-industrial societies to modern urban centers. Can prepare one for work in development, community organization, policy analysis, and social research.

2. Linguistic Anthropology Study of the role language plays in various cultures as well as its development. Can work in the areas of inter-cultural communication, language revitalization, and literacy programming.

3. Physical Anthropology Study the evolution of the human body, looking for the earliest evidence of human life, and analyzing how culture and biology influence one another. Useful skills developed for the growing health related occupations sector as well as positions in traditional research.

4. Archaeology Recover and examine material evidence such as ruins, pottery and tools remaining from past human cultures to determine history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations. Archaeology skills can prepare one for entry-level employment in research or with government or private agencies involved in resource management.

Anthropology Degrees Available At The University Of South Carolina Ph.D MA BA

Anthropology at the University of South Carolina Undergraduate Options Graduate Options Certificates of Graduate Study Degrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA) Majors: Anthropology Minors: Anthropology Degrees: Master of Arts (MA) Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Specializations: archeology, cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, physical/biological anthropology Visual Anthropology Museum Studies Women’s Studies TOEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)

Anthropology Degrees Develop Skills in Critical analysis Oral and written communication Interpersonal relations Understanding of different cultures Problem solving Using scientific equipment and instruments Working cooperatively with others Adapting to varied and changing conditions Data analysis Adapting cultural theories to other populations Intentional interviewing

Employment Settings Teaching/Research in Universities and Colleges: In anthropology departments, medical schools, and international programs. Museums: Exhibit design, conservation of and research of collections, and museum administration.

Employment Settings Government Agencies: National Park Service, Agency for International Development, the National Institutes of Health, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Congressional committees. International Agencies: United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank.

Employment Settings Consulting: Includes historical and ethnographic research of Indian tribes, forensic work for political anthropological survey and excavation, social/cultural impact assessment for large-scale construction, designing bilingual and bicultural curricula with school professionals, and assessing health care services.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Teaching/Research Academic advisor Archivist Art conservator Behavioral science advisor Collections manager College professor Ethnologist Field archaeologist Foundation program manager Genealogist Librarian Media planner Multicultural education specialist Museum technician Vocational instructor

Sample Occupational Titles Associated with Museums Anthropologist Archaeologist Archivist Art historian Artifact specialist Biographer Collections manager Curator Cultural resource manager Display technician Ethnologist Museum education director Museologist Paleontologist Preservationist

Sample Occupational Titles Associated with Government Agencies Community development officer Congressional staffer Cultural artifact specialist Cultural researcher Elected official Environmental impact assessor Foreign affairs officer Government policy analyst Immigration inspector Probation officer Program director Social insurance representative Urban/rural planner

Sample Occupational Titles Associated with International Agencies Bicultural program director Communications consultant Employee relations specialist Environmental impact assessor International protocol consultant International marketing director Linguist Policy analyst Social worker Teacher of english as a second language Ethnographer

Sample Occupational Titles Associated with Consulting Actuary Bicultural curricula developer Community planner Corporate communications consultant Employee relations specialist Historical researcher Management consultant Political anthropologist Public health advisor Recruitment consultant Training specialist

Distribution of Employed Persons With a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology, by Sector

Top 10 Occupations That Employ Persons with only a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology 1 Top and mid-level managers, executives 2 Broadcasters, writers, public relations specialists 3 Teachers, elementary 4 Low-level administrators (record clerks) 5 Low-level managers (shift supervisors) 6 Sales (including retail) 7 Insurance, securities, real estate, business services 8 Transportation, material-moving 9 Marketing, sales management 10 Social scientists Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want Work on ability to communicate well in speech and writing Obtain volunteer, internship, co-op, and work experience Develop interpersonal skills Meet and exceed deadlines Develop ability to work as a team member Develop the ability to work with people of other cultures Obtain a minor in a specific field of interest (psychology, music, political science)

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want Develop ability to work with public administration Work on public speaking skills Develop computer skills Visit museums Learn other languages Attend and help organize cultural events Work on developing conceptual and analytical abilities Travel to and visit other cultural regions Join a professional or student organization

Books And Web Resources Books Great Jobs For Anthropology Majors – by Blythe Camenson Careers In Anthropology: What An Anthropology Degree Can Do For You – by W. Rrichard Stephens Web Resources American Anthropological Association NAPA: National Association for the Practice of Anthropology opology.org/ opology.org/

Resources For More Information Department of Anthropology Career Center library Related websites CAS career development website

Career Center Contact Information University of South Carolina Career Center 6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building) Columbia, SC Phone: On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at