The
purpose of the undergraduate degree in anthropology at
Boise State University is to provide a broad
understanding of cultural diversity, human nature and
human prehistory. A student with a Bachelor's
degree in anthropology has acquired critical analysis
skills, oral and written communication skills, "people"
skills, and a great understanding of many different
cultures that have many applications in public service,
political activism, and the private sector.
Awareness of the enormous variety of ways in which
contemporary and ancient peoples have lived their lives
provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of
our own civilization. In this sense anthropology is the
most direct approach to a liberal arts education,
offering a humanistic as well as a scientific
perspective on humankind. In the words of a well-known
anthropologist: "Anthropology is the most scientific of
the humanities, and the most humanistic of the
sciences." Regardless of the career you choose to
pursue, anthropology can enrich your understanding of
yourself and of the society around you.
Nonetheless,
students often ask, "But can I make a living at it?"
Because of the exotic nature of some of the more
well-known kinds of anthropological research, many
students fail to realize that anthropology is a
vigorous, accepted social science and a "marketable"
general liberal arts degree. It is certainly equal,
if not superior, to a degree in more familiar
disciplines such as history, English, sociology and
political science as preparation for careers in
business, law, or medicine. The primary goal
of the undergraduate program in anthropology at
Boise State University is to provide a broad liberal
arts education which enables the graduate to compete
with anyone in the open job market. The skill
of "seeing the world as others see it" is applicable
in any situation dealing with people -- especially
people from diverse cultures. Thus,
anthropology is an extremely appropriate degree for
those interested in international business,
diplomatic service, city planning, international or
community development, social work, many kinds of
medical work, and any other field dealing with
culture change, social problems, or other societies.
Past graduates from Boise State have used their
background in anthropology in careers in medicine,
law, special education, social work, community
development and business, as well as, of course,
anthropology. Students in archaeology have
been very successful in finding positions with state
and federal governments and private consulting
firms.
Anthropology
majors also increase their marketability by gaining
experience through internships, part-time jobs, or
volunteer work. Additionally, students can add
to their range of knowledge by taking courses within
or outside their major that would give them specific
information useful in their career field of
interest.
Some
students will want to continue into graduate school
in anthropology or one of the related social
sciences. The Anthropology program at Boise
State University, with its emphasis on breadth, is
particularly well-suited as preparation for graduate
study. In addition, the close contact of
students and faculty in the program allows the
students to directly observe the process of
anthropological research. Whether working in
museums, government, universities or research
agencies, anthropologists enjoy the intellectual and
personal rewards of a field that is always
surprising, ever changing, and constantly
challenging as it probes further into the experience
of "being human."
Some
of the employment areas for Anthropology majors
include:
-
Teaching in Universities and Colleges: In
anthropology departments, medical schools,
international studies programs.
-
Federal Agencies: Many archaeologists and
cultural anthropologists work for the National
Park Service, the Agency for International
Development, the National Institute of Health,
the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other
agencies. some are also employed as staff
members for Congressional committees.
-
International Agencies:
Anthropologists with expertise in cultures of
developing countries are employed by the United
Nations, the World Health Organization, and the
World Bank.
-
Consulting: Includes historical and
ethnographic research for Indian tribes,
forensic work for police agencies,
archaeological survey and excavation,
social/cultural impact assessment for
large-scale construction projects; designing
bilingual and bicultural curricula with school
professionals, and assessing health care
services for specific cultural groups.
Anthropologists are increasingly being employed
in non-academic (applied) settings as well as in
academia.
RELATED MAJOR SKILLS:
Planning projects
Writing grant proposals
Interviewing
Surveying and sampling
Gathering and
organizing data
Examining data and artifacts
Conducting field studies
Summarizing results
Communication across cultures and languages
Recognizing cultural differences and similarities
ANTHROPOLOGY WEBSITES:
Job
Listings/Job Search:
American Anthropological Association
Society for Research Administrators International
American Association of Physical Anthropologists
Society for Applied Anthropology
