Baylor University
Department of Anthropology
College of Arts and Sciences

Baylor > Anthropology > What Can I Do with This Degree?
What Can I Do with This Degree?

ANTHROPOLOGY/ARCHAEOLOGY

What can I do with this degree?

AREAS

EMPLOYERS

STRATEGIES
EDUCATION
    
Teaching Universities/colleges/community colleges Ph.D. required for university and college faculty positions
Research University research institutes or laboratories

 
Administration Campus museums M.A./M.S. required for community colleges
    Earn a graduate degree in College Student Affairs forwork in administration.
    Gain experience assisting professors with research.
    Maintain a high GPA and develop strong personal recommendations.
MUSEUMS & ARCHIVES
    
Management

Natural History or History Museums:

Universities

State, federal or local

Private

 Graduate degree in anthropology, museum studies, library science (with an emphasis on archives) or other related discipline is required.
Curatorship

 

 
Conservation

 

 
Research

 

 Obtain internship or volunteer positions to gain experience.
Education Archives

 
Libraries    
Development    
     
GOVERNMENT
    
Administration Federal Agencies: Learn federal or state application procedures.
Cultural Resource Management

Bureau of Indian Affairs

 Graduate Degree generally required for higher level positions
Surveying

Bureau of Land Management

 
Site Management

Central Intelligence Agency

 Gain related experience through internships in areas of interest.
Excavation

Department of Health & Human Services

 
Research

Department of Housing & Urban Development

 Develop statistical, analytical and computer skills and investigate research methodologies.
Museum Conservation

Federal Bureau of Investigation

 
Legislative Compliance Review

National Institutes of Health

 Get involved in campus organizations to developleadership abilities and interpersonal skills.
Program Management Evaluation

National Park Service

 
Policy Analysis

Public Health Service

  
Urban Planning

Smithsonian Institute

  
 

Tennessee Valley Authority

  
 

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers

  
 

U.S. Department of State

  
 

U.S. Forest Service

  
  State Agencies:  
 

Historic Preservation Offices

  
 

Parks Departments

  
 

Highway Departments

  
NONPROFIT
    
Administration Nonprofit organizations Seek volunteer and internship positions to gain experience.
Program management and development Social service agencies

 
Policy analysis Hospitals and medical centers Hone skills in public speaking, writing, and programming.
Counseling Private foundations, e.g. The Ford Foundation

 
Research International organizations, e.g. the World Health Obtain a degree in counseling for therapy positions.
 

Organization and the International Red Cross

  
BUSINESS
    
Administration/Management Advertising agencies/departments Develop practical skills such as computer expertise, written and verbal communication, project management, etc.
Advertising Business firms

 
Human Resources Consulting firms

 
Public Relations Publishers: Earn a minor in business or communications.
Sales/Marketing

textbook, magazine, newspaper, book

 Gain experience through internships, volunteer orpaid positions.
Writing/Editing Retail stores

 
     
ARCHAEOLOGY
    
Cultural Resource Management Consulting firms Field positions require a B..S./B.A. and previous field experience.
Research/Excavation Environmental/engineering companies

 
  Firms specializing in archaeological investigation Obtain graduate degree to direct field crews.
  Federal, state and local government  
     
GENERAL INFORMATION
    
  • Most professional anthropological jobs require a graduate degree.
  • Those interested in anthropology may specialize in one of its four branches:

archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics, or physical anthropology
  • Many subfields exist within the larger specialties such as forensic anthropology, a subfield of physical anthropology.
  • May need a willingness to travel and endure adverse living/working conditions during field studies or excavations. Working conditions and hours vary with the type of work/research performed.
  • As the demand for university/college faculty positions decreases, most openings will be in consulting firms and government agencies.
  • For jobs outside of academia, earn a degree in another field such as sociology, political science, law, medicine, business, urban planning, or public administration to increase employment opportunities.
  • Anthropology is good preparation for jobs that involve people skills and require an understanding of cultural differences.
  • Spend a summer in field school or travel and study other cultures.
  • Volunteer to help with a professor's research.
  • Gaining relevant work experience through internships, practicums, part-time jobs, or volunteer positions is critical.

GENERAL INFORMATION
  • Most professional anthropological jobs require a graduate degree.
  • Those interested in anthropology may specialize in one of its four branches: Archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics, or physical anthropology
  • Many subfields exist within the larger specialties such as forensic anthropology, a subfield of physical anthropology.
  • May need a willingness to travel and endure adverse living/working conditions during field studies or excavations. Working conditions and hours vary with the type of work/research performed.
  • As the demand for university/college faculty positions decreases, most openings will be in consulting firms and government agencies.
  • For jobs outside of academia, earn a degree in another field such as sociology, political science, law, medicine, business, urban planning, or public administration to increase employment opportunities.
  • Anthropology is good preparation for jobs that involve people skills and require an understanding of cultural differences.
  • Spend a summer in field school or travel and study other cultures.
  • Volunteer to help with a professor's research.
  • Gaining relevant work experience through internships, practicums, part-time jobs, or volunteer positions is critical.