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Anthropology

What can I do with a major in

Anthropology

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA, BGS, and Minor in Anthropology. Anthropology is the study of past and present human societies. It is one of the most wide-ranging of the academic disciplines. Anthropologists are concerned with the origin, history, and future of our own species, so the field is as diverse as people are.


Anthropology majors develop the following skills:

Analysis and Research: Gathering and organizing data, Deriving knowledge from artifacts, Applying non-intrusive methods, Computer modeling, Reaching new conclusions through comparative study, Utilizing statistical applications, Examining data or artifacts, Conducting field studies

Communication: Summarizing results, Writing clearly, Presenting/defending a position, Communicating across cultures/languages, Understanding language development

Interpersonal Relations: Interviewing, Understanding group dynamics, Observing human interactions, Working in another culture, Surveying and sampling, Identifying value systems, Recognizing cultural differences/similarities

Project Development: Planning long-term projects, Recruiting/coordinating research projects, Writing grant proposals, Evaluating, Maintaining records, Developing project designs

Depending on your desired career path, additional skills may need to be developed.  Make an appointment with a career consultant to design your individual career development plan.


Build skills Beyond the Classroom

  • Join related clubs, professional associations, activities, and organizations
  • Read professional journals in the field
  • Find volunteer work in a related area
  • Find part-time employment in a similar area
  • Job shadow someone working in the field
  • Conduct an informational interview with someone working in this area of interest
  • Obtain an internship
  • Work with a mentor or alum.  Contact the Hawk to Hawk program at the KU Alumni Center.
 

Internship Websites


Employment Websites


Career Planning and Resources


Professional Associations

Sample Careers for Anthropology Majors 

Business

Skills in writing and analysis make Anthropology majors well suited for:

Career Options
Employment recruiter
Environmental impact analyst
Human resources manager
Journalist
Management consultant
Marketing analyst
Researcher
Staff training and development specialist
Travel agent/guide

Potential Employers
Corporate and small businesses
Nonprofit organizations
Sales and marketing firms
Travel agencies

Government and Public Sector

Skills in communication, empathy, and problem-solving make Anthropology majors well suited for:

Career Options
Bureau of Indian Affairs researcher
Congressional committee staff director
Cultural artifact specialist
Friend of the Court caseworker
Head Start program director
International agency representative
National/state park interpreter
State/federal government policy analyst

Potential Employers
Federal/State/Local government agencies
Foundations
Museums
Research institutes
Social service agencies


 

Health and Human Services

Skills in analysis, communication, problem-solving, and empathy make Anthropology majors well suited for:

Career Options
Advocate (e.g. children, ethnic group members, aging)
Career counselor
Forensic anthropologist
Genetic counselor
Public health educator
Social worker

Potential Employers
Adoption agencies
Employment centers
Group homes
Hospitals
Mental health clinics
Nonprofit organizations

Education and Research

Skills in analysis, problem-solving, and resource management make Anthropology majors well suited for:

Career Options
Academic advisor/counselor
Cultural program specialist
Field archeologist
Foundation program manager
Grant writer
Linguistic anthropologist
Media planner
Museum education director
Museum curator
Professor
Teacher of English as a second language (ESL)

Potential Employers
Historical societies
Libraries
Museums
Research institutes
Universities

 For information on these occupations

About Us
University Career Center
The University of Kansas
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1601 Irving Hill Road • Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-3624 • ucc@ku.edu
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