Anthropology is defined as the study (-ology) of humanity (anthropos). This academic field takes a close look all aspects of cultures around the world including their music, belief systems, traditions, hygiene, housing, and language. The broadest field of all social sciences, anthropology incorporates numerous subfields including ethnomusicology, archaeology, physical anthropology, cultural anthropology, and linguistics.
What Does an Anthropologist Do?
Despite popular belief (for example, the Indiana Jones series of films), anthropologists are not necessarily confined to the job of a university professor. Because of the focus on human behavior, companies hire anthropology majors because they know people, which gives the company a competitive edge in their overall marketing plan. Anthropologists and archaeologists often find jobs in government, associations, and as researchers.
Anthropology is divided into several subfields. Cultural anthropologists study all aspects of cultures throughout the world including their language, music, history, religious beliefs, clothing, housing, hygiene, and traditions. Physical anthropologists are the bone hunters, searching for human remains to piece together the history of humankind.
Archaeologists are the diggers who labor to sift through buried remains such as pottery shards, stelae (monuments), tools, and art that can tell us about ancient cultures. Forensic anthropologists are hired by law enforcement agencies to identify human remains in various stages of decomposition. Linguistic anthropologists study the language of the people and its various nuances.
How to Succeed as an Anthropologist
In order to become a successful anthropologist, the student must enjoy learning about different peoples around the world and have an appreciation for non-Western lifestyles. One can land an anthropology job in a corporation or government fresh out of college; but to truly succeed in the field, jobs for anthropology majors typically require both Masters and Ph.D. degrees.
The student must also hone his or her writing and presentation skills when delivering theses. A thesis is a defense of an original ethnological finding judged by a panel of academic peers. In order to develop the thesis, the student must work in the field (i.e., different areas of the world) for one or more years. Thus, the person must enjoy traveling and feel comfortable in non-Western cultures.
Success depends on the students’ willingness to take the social science to the Ph.D. level, which of course means higher loans and several years out of college to complete the doctorate. Yet at the same time, anthropology jobs are very satisfying for those who like to travel and study cultures around the globe.
Daniel Gansle - Daniel J. Gansle is the author of 2012: Day of Reckoning, graduate of Anthropological Studies and expert in ancient Mayan culture.
