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Getting Job-Market Ready
- Start early. Don’t wait until the term before you graduate to start thinking about jobs.
- Understand what you have to offer. Prospective employers don’t always know what anthropology can do for them. It is your job to show them what skills you bring to any position. These skills include qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, ethnography, effective written and oral communication, understanding of human diversity, empathy, problem-solving, and community organizing.
- Get prepared. Taking courses that provide concrete skills such as statistics, ArcGIS, a second language, ethnographic methods, etc. will give you an added advantage in the job market. Similarly, combining your anthropology major with vocationally-oriented coursework (e.g., criminal justice, urban planning, business, environmental studies, etc.) will greatly enhance your marketability.
- Professionalize. Get professional experience by doing an internship while pursuing your degree. Attend conferences (e.g., SfAA, NWAC, AAA, etc.) where you can network and possibly present your work. Consider publishing your work in student journals such as the Lambda Alpha Journal or Student Anthropologist.
- Networking. Start building a network of people that can support your career goals. Keep in touch with faculty advisers, attend professional meetings, get involved with professional organizations, join listservs relevant to your interests, follow the work of practicing anthropologists on social media, etc.
- Create a resume. Communicating your skills and experience effectively is key to success in the job market. See Career Resources for help in developing your resume and cover letter.
- Be expansive in your search. There are few jobs out there labeled 'anthropology,' but many match with anthropological skillsets. Look for job postings with alternate titles that are well-suited for anthropologists, such as social scientist, researcher, community organizer, qualitative analyst, and many more. Further, many entry-level positions do not specify a college major and are thus open. Your training prepares you as well as any.
Career Resources
Starting your career in anthropology can be a daunting task! Below are a few resources to help you in your professional development.
- PSU’s University Career Center can be helpful in your career development, offering resources on how to write a cover letter, network with professionals, and develop your resume. The University Career Center offers appointments to review your resume, find an internship, and career planning.
- Visit the NAPA Career Development website on tips for your resume and networking.
- The Consortium of Practicing & Applied Anthropologist (COPAA) is consortium of applied and practicing anthropologists working to further the education and training of students, faculty, and practitioners. They offer a few career-related resources, as well as opportunities to network and collaborate on projects.
- The Career Preparedness Commission aims to prepare students for a career in anthropology and provides numerous resources that range from job specific to general job skills.
- Additional tips on how to write a cover letter and resume can be found at Indeed, University of Alabama Anthropology Resume Tips, and CLIMB.
Professional Organizations
Getting involved with a professional organization is an excellent way to build your career. Check out the following organizations and the numerous resources they provide.
Job Opportunities
Below is a list of organizations that regularly post job opportunities. Additionally, we suggest seeking job listings through on-line sites, such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Job Finder, CareerOneStop, ZipRecruiter, and Monster. Folks looking for archaeology/CRM jobs can also look for job listings on Twin Cairns and ShovelBums. Your network will also be an important source for employment possibilities.
Nonprofits/Foundations/Museums
Private Companies and Consulting Firms
Federal and Local Government