Career Information

21st Century Careers with an Undergraduate Degree in Sociology
(from the American Sociological Association)

"The 21st century labor market is fast-changing, increasingly global and technology-driven."

Finding the meaningful thread that connects your passion and interests to a substantial and productive job cannot be a passive process. To build your own 21st century career you will need to use all your creativity and innovation.

From your first year in college you will need to think carefully about your own talents preferences, and career goals; find ways to take advantage of opportunities to learn both inside and outside the classroom; and start building a resume that will help you stand out in today's competitive work place.

The ASA's Academic and Professional Affairs department has developed a publication designed to help you start the process of building your own 21st century career.

It focuses on sociology majors who are thinking about their first, entry-level jobs after graduation.

It is organized around six central questions:

21st Century Careers with an Undergraduate Degree in Anthropology
(From the American Anthropological Association)

There are two great reasons why studying anthropology should be considered by undergraduate and master's students. First, the material is intellectually exciting. Second, anthropology prepares students for excellent jobs and opens doors to various career paths. Learn more >>

Why Businesses Should Hire Anthropologists

How Hiring an Anthropologist Will Make Your Firm More Competitive in the New Economy (Power Point)

The following articles make excellent arguments for including anthropologists in market research.

R&D 2.0: Fewer Engineers, More Anthropologists
Harvard Business Publishing
Ethnographic Research: A Key to Strategy
Harvard Business Review
Olson's Anthropologists Bring New Meaning to Marketing
MinnPost.com
Mirror Mirror; the Anthropologist of Dressing Rooms
New York Times
Breakthrough Market Discoveries Often Hide Out in Latent Form
Examiner.com
The Science of Desire
Business Week

Working For the Federal Government
The federal government is one of the largest employers of anthropologists outside of academia, with numerous opportunities for both permanent employees and contractors. Possible career paths include: international development, cultural resource management, the legislative branch, forensic and physical anthropology, natural resource management, and defense and security sectors. Shirley J. Fiske’s article, "Working for the Federal Government: Anthropology Careers", in the March 2008 NAPA Bulletin provides an overview of the available opportunities, including specific information on where to find vacancy announcements and how to respond to them. Click here to access the full article on AnthroSource

Applying for Federal and Security Related Jobs (The Washington Post)
Federal careers expert Derrick Dortch answered questions online. Learn more>

Links to additional information on careers in anthropology: