Anthropology
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a B.A., B.G.S., and a Minor in Anthropology, as well as a M.A. and a Ph.D. 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 Department website
Sample of Related Skills
- Research the evolution of humankind from its beginnings several million years ago to the present day
- Understand the human condition, from cooking recipes to dance steps, from sacred rituals to child's play
- Analyze how different peoples of the world organize their lives and societies
- Research how people adapt to diverse cultural and biological situations
- Research language, its history, and its evolution as a way to understand humans and their culture
- Analyze behaviors and describe contemporary and historical cultures
- Understand the biological aspects of human existence
Popular Career Paths
Archeology: Focuses on material objects that people in the past have made, and learning the meaning behind these objects, particularly beliefs or behaviors.
Biological Anthropology: Involves the study of the evolution of the human body, as well as our primate relatives.
Cultural Anthropology: Involves understanding and internal workings of societies which can include religion, politics, ecology, and symbolism of a culture.
Linguistic Anthropology: Includes the study of language in different cultures.
Explore More Career Paths
- American Anthropological Association - explore various careers in anthropology, gain valuable information about the field, and find useful internship/job resources
- American Association of Physical Anthropologists - information on graduate programs in physical anthropology. Resources for careers in biological, physical anthropology and careers in museums and government agencies as well as available job opportunities
- Making the Difference - provides federal career guides by interest area, searchable federal internship directory, and application tips for federal job seekers
- Kansas Anthropological Association - local networking and professional development opportunities in anthropology
- National Association for Student Anthropologists - provides information for graduate and undergraduate students regarding their career concerns
- Paleontological Research Institution - description of what paleontology is and other career related information
- Shovelbums.org - archeology job postings
- Society for Historical Archeology - employment opportunities, field school information, types of careers in historical anthropology
- The Society for Applied Anthropology - information on institutions offering degrees in applied anthropology
Jobs to Consider
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Places to Seek Employment
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Archives Bureau of Land Management Colleges and Universities Community Development Agencies Consulting Firms Cultural Agencies Department of the Interior Ethnic Agencies |
Foreign Aid Agencies Historic Preservation Offices Historical Societies International Health Organizations Museums National Institutes of Health National Park Service
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Non-Profit Organizations Public Health Centers Social Service Agencies United Nations U.S. Forest Service World Health Organization Zoos
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View specific employers by state.
Employment Strategies
- Identify the skills and abilities related to anthropology, and find job markets that match your interests.
- Gain direct experience within the areas that interest you most through research projects, field work, internships, part-time jobs, student organization involvement, or volunteering
- Register for HireJayhawks.com and subscribe to the Internship Newsletter to receive automated weekly emails with specific internship information.
- Consider joining a professional organization related to your area of interest in anthropology, such as the Kansas Anthropological Association, and, if possible, attend local and/or regional conferences to make connections with professionals working in your field.
- Practice interviewing on your own or by conducting a mock interview at the University Career Center. List of practice questions: general interview (pdf).
- Develop your resume and tailor it to your area(s) of interest: sample resume (pdf).
- Earn a minor or take additional coursework outside your major when relevant to your career goals.
- Maintain a strong GPA if you are considering pursuing graduate or professional school.
- Consider getting involved with a student organization at KU related to your area of interest, such as: Undergraduate Anthropology Association or Graduate Students for Anthropology .
Job and Internship Search Resources
- American Association of Museums - job postings for museum careers
- Idealist - searchable database of non-profit organizations, jobs and internship opportunities in the US and abroad
- Internships USA - Lists of internships by industry including The Museum Internship Book (pdf)
- Kansas State Historical Society - apply for internship opportunities in Kansas
- National Association for the Practice of Anthropology - job postings, anthropology related articles, and blogs
- The Biological Anthropology Web - position openings and job search links
- The Society for Applied Anthropology - job postings in anthropology
- USA Jobs - comprehensive site for jobs and employment in the government; set up email alerts to receive weekly updates that meet your search criteria; set up email alerts to receive weekly updates that meet your search criteria
The quick link for this page is career.ku.edu/anthropology.
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