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Do you like learning about people?
Anthropology is the study of human beings. There are four broad fields within anthropology: cultural anthropology or ethnography, archeology, physical anthropology, and linguistics. Cultural anthropology is the study of human cultures in the present. Archeology is the study of past human cultures through the analysis of material evidence left behind. Physical anthropology is the study of biological behavior and of human adaptations to the environment. Linguistics is the study of human speech and its role in culture. By studying culture, objects, the environment, and language anthropologists explore the relationship between varying peoples, their cultures, and the physical world in which they live. Anthropology allows us to understand how people and their cultures are different or alike and how they have changed. Below are a few resources with advice from professionals:

Careers in Historical Archaeology is a website maintained by the Society for Historical Archaeology; also look at “Is the Past In Your Future?” on the same site.

Careers in Anthropology is a web page maintained by the American Anthropological Association.

Frequently Asked Questions, by David Carlson, answers questions about a career in archeology in the United States.

Exploring the Possibilities—Cynthia Ann Bettison describes what life is like as an archeologist.

Student Questions about Anthropology Careers (.pdf) are addressed by the National Association for the Practice of Anthropology. The same organization has a video entitled "Anthropologists at Work: Careers Making a Difference."

Careers in Physical Anthropology is a web page maintained by the American Association of Physical Anthropologists.

Employment Settings
Although many anthropologists conduct research, work on excavations, or teach at colleges, many others are involved in different aspects of the discipline. Anthropologists in the United States work in a range of settings, such as:

  • Universities and colleges;
  • Museums and historic sites;
  • Government agencies at all levels including federal, tribal, state, and local;
  • Engineering and Cultural Resource Management (CRM) firms;
  • Historical societies; and
  • Private foundations.

Here are a few sites to visit if you are looking for a job in anthropology or archeology, or if you are curious about what kinds of jobs are available.

Education
Most anthropologists have college or university degrees in anthropology. Archeologists working in the United States usually have degrees in either anthropology or history. Archeologists working on ancient civilizations of Greece or Rome, however, might have degrees in ancient history or classics. A person with a bachelor's degree and field experience can usually obtain work as field crew, while supervisory positions in government agencies, museums, consulting firms, and teaching positions require a Masters or Doctoral degree. Several resources exist to help individuals find the right academic program.

The AAA Guide:
The American Anthropological Association publishes the most comprehensive list of academic departments. The AAA Guide describes community college, undergrad, and graduate anthropology departments including faculty specialties and ongoing research programs.

Society for Historical Archaeology:
The Society for Historical Archeology (SHA) maintains a list of academic programs offering education in historical and underwater archeology. Their list includes faculty specialties and program information.

For More Information

Opportunities
If you are unsure what subfield of anthropology you are interested in, or if anthropology is the right field for you, there are many ways to become involved to get a better sense of what anthropologists do. The following are just a few ways for you to become involved in anthropology and archeology.

Join an anthropological or archeological society. Many individuals find it rewarding to belong to an international, national, or local society. Here are a few societies that might be of interest:

Contact your state archeologist or State Historic Preservation Officer for more information on anthropology and archeology in your state.

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