How To Become An Anthropologist

If you are interested in how people interact and how societies and cultures change, you may be wondering if you can make a living out of this passion. An excellent career path for this interest is anthropology, the study of human cultures. As you research the evolution of societies, being an anthropologist can also give you the opportunity to assist others in novel ways. To assist you in achieving your career objectives, we will explain the anthropologist profession, delve into what an anthropologist does, and offer steps for becoming one.

An Anthropologist Is What?

An anthropologist is someone who researches cultures, societies, and how they interact and change. Along with commercial enterprises, they frequently work for governments, non-profits, and universities. Archaeology, linguistics, or biological anthropology are a few examples of subfields in which anthropologists typically specialize. They might work for private companies, nonprofits, or governmental organizations, as well as organizations like colleges and universities. Additionally, anthropologists frequently work as college instructors.

The Work Of An Anthropologist

Studying human cultures, societies, and the processes by which these structures emerge is the focus of anthropologists’ careers. Depending on their area of expertise, they might unearth and analyze historical artifacts, look into ancient and contemporary linguistics, and look into the structure of various social, political, and religious groups. They typically meticulously document their hypotheses, findings, and analysis of what they have learned in writing. The majority of an anthropologist’s time may be spent in an office reviewing anthropological data, working on an archaeological dig outdoors, or both.

Personal Requirements For An Anthropologist

• Capacity for detailed observation and accurate practical work
• Able to work independently
• Enthusiasm for research
• Good oral and written communication skills
• sensitive to different cultures and people.
• Education & Training for an Anthropologist

An undergraduate degree in a science, art, social science, or international studies program with anthropology as a major (preferably at the honors level) and a postgraduate degree in anthropology are typically required for employment as an anthropologist. Typically, in order to enroll in degree programs, you must earn your English-language Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. A suitable bachelor’s degree with honors is typically required for admission to postgraduate programs. Different prerequisites apply to different universities, and some of them allow for external study or have lenient entry requirements. For more information, get in touch with the institutions that interest you.

How To Become An Anthropologist

Here are some steps you can take to plan your career if becoming an anthropologist seems like a good fit for you:

1. Earn Your Diploma Or Equivalent

You’ll probably need to pursue higher education if you want to work as an anthropologist. You’ll also need to earn your high school diploma or the equivalent in order to enroll in many colleges and universities and succeed there. Consider enrolling in high school courses that are related to the study of anthropology. To make sure you are as prepared as possible for the college experience, carefully research exam and coursework options if you are earning your equivalency.

2. Attend Undergraduate School

Next, complete a college or university undergraduate program. The study of anthropology is a popular major at many institutions. When selecting a college or university to attend, keep in mind that the specific major and minor offerings may differ depending on the specialty areas of focus at each institution. When choosing a college, be sure to also take into account factors like location and tuition.

In order to prepare for a career in anthropology, try to look for opportunities to complete research projects, fieldwork, and internships while still an undergraduate. When the time comes to apply for full-time, permanent positions, your resume will benefit from these kinds of experiences as well.

3. Find A Specialty

You’ll probably have the opportunity to select an anthropology specialty during your undergraduate studies. The four main subfields of anthropology are biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology, and each of these fields has numerous subfields. Be sure to investigate all of your options because your undergraduate area of focus may influence your graduate studies and career as a professional anthropologist. Think about the possible overlaps between various specialties.

4. Attend Graduate School

A lot of anthropologists obtain advanced degrees like master and doctoral degrees. Think about enrolling in an advanced degree program in your specialty after completing your undergraduate studies. When making decisions about graduate school, talk to a dependable mentor about your plans and keep things like funding, location, and faculty specialization in mind. In graduate school, you’ll probably have the chance to conduct research and maybe even publish your findings, so make the most of them.

5. Research Open Positions

Investigate open positions in your field of expertise and the location of your choice both during and after your anthropology coursework. Because you will be able to apply for more positions if you are able or willing to relocate, think about looking into opportunities in additional geographic areas.

When researching job openings, take note of the qualifications needed for each position you come across and think about making a note of any additional credentials or years of experience you might need to land your dream job. When you meet the majority of the requirements but not all of them, you might want to apply for positions because some openings might accept multiple qualifications.

6. Prepare Your Materials And Apply

Try to customize your materials to the particular positions you are applying for when writing your resume and cover letter to submit with applications for anthropology jobs. Try mentioning current knowledge and best practices in your field of expertise in your application materials. Look for keywords in the positions you’re applying for, and make sure to use those in both your resume and cover letter. It can be beneficial to use the correct terminology if an employer uses software to screen applications before sending them to a hiring manager.

7. Interview Successfully

After that, you might be asked to interview for a position as an anthropologist. Practicing interview questions with a dependable friend or coworker is a good way to get ready for your interview. With someone who has had experience with an anthropology interview, you might consider conducting a mock interview and getting their input on your answers.

Additional Information

Anthropologists may have to pick up a new language in order to gather data about society. People who have earned an honors degree in anthropology are eligible to join the Australian Anthropological Society on a regular basis.

Anthropologist Salary And Job Outlook

The pay of anthropologists can differ depending on their location and particular role. For instance, the average annual salary for archaeologists in the United States is $67,863. Between 2019 and 2029, 400 new jobs are expected to be created in the anthropology and archaeology fields, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).