Anthropology

at Northern Kentucky University

What can I do with anthropology?

CRM

Most non-teaching jobs in anthropology are in the areas of: archaeology, applied anthropology and the environment. Some anthropology graduates use their Bachelor's degree in Anthropology as a foundation to go into other related fields such as teaching, law, library work, information research, documentary film making, photography, diversity training, medical and health-related jobs, translating and interpreting, bilingual education, museum work, cultural brokerage, environmental impact assessment, social impact assessment, international development, police work and forensics, genetics counseling,international business, management, marketing, personnel, public relations, administration, sales, transportation, real estate, insurance, fund-raising, consulting, government work, park ranger, publishing, media, journalism, travel, historic preservation, historic archaeology, scientific and creative writing and more.

You should begin to build your resume with important items, and the more research skills and experience you have the better. For example:

  • on-campus experience with part-time work as an anthropology tutor or an archaeology lab assistant Archaeological field school;
  • volunteering at museums and attending professional meetings for organizations like COVAS--Central Ohio Valley Archaeological Society
  • working summer jobs with contract archaeology companies, museums, or human services agencies, such as, Travelers' Aid International;
  • writing and delivering research papers at professional meetings such as ASK, KAS or CSAS;
  • taking part in student paper competitions;
  • publishing in an online undergraduate anthropology journal, such as, Focus, the Lambda Alpha journal; and/or
  • taking as many skill courses as possible, such as, ethnographic methods, archaeological methods, laboratory methods, museum methods, linguistics, writing, critical thinking, logic, public speaking, photography, mapping skills, computer skills, statistics, applied practicum, sociological methods, archival research methods, foreign languages, library research skills, geological skills, human anatomy, etc.

The Anthropology faculty and NKU Career Development Center can assist you in adding these skills and experiences to your resume. Send your resume to prospective employers at least three months before you graduate. To maximize your success, be prepared to update and expand your skills and experiences throughout the length of your career. Obtaining a Master's degree further enhances your career opportunities.

Where can I find a job in anthropology?

This web site contains a very partial list of non-teaching, mostly local, jobs. For further leads, look at the American Anthropological Association's (AAA) Guide to Departments of Anthropology (a copy is available in the departmental office in 216 Landrum) or check out the list of anthropology departments on the web; the AAA film, Anthropologists at Work: Careers Making a Difference (the video is available for viewing in Media Services in 215 Steely Library); the AAA web site on the internet and the AAA site on anthropology careers; other sites (on archaeology careers; physical anthropology careers; linguistics careers; and applied anthropology careers); other AAA publications and films on careers in anthropology; the NKU applied web site for resume building; the Joan Ferrante book, Let's Go Anthropology: Travels on the Internet; and employment ads for federal, state, county, municipal, and tribal governments; non-profit corporations; and private businesses. Also, network with the anthropology faculty and anthropology alumni for job leads. To find out what some NKU anthropology graduates are doing, check out the NKU Anthropology Alumni Club's "Life after NKU". To find out what other anthropologists are doing, check out the careers bulletin board outside 204 Landrum, the anthropology lab. And do not forget to touch base with the NKU Career Development Center, including their web site on anthropology careers.

Here is a list of other resources pertaining Anthropology related careers:

  • Reference:
    • The American Anthropological Association's (AAA) Guide (a copy is available in the departmental office in 217c Landrum)
  • Films:
    • Anthropologists at Work: Careers Making a Difference (available for viewing in Media Services in 215 Steely Library)
  • Web Sites:
  • NKU Web Sites:
  • Books:
    • Let's Go Anthropology: Travels on the Internet by Joan Ferrante
    • What Color Is Your Parachute: A Practical Manual for Job Hunters and Career Changes by Richard Nelson Bolles
    • Resumes That Will Get You The Job You Want by Andrea Kay
    • Interview Strategies That Will Get You The Job You Want by Andrea Kay
    • Great Jobs for Anthropology Majors by Blythe Camenson
    • Anthropology in Practice: A Guide to Non-Academic Jobs and Careers for Anthropologists by Riall Nolan
    • Careers in Anthropology edited by Paula Sabloff
    • Careers in Anthropology by John T. Omohundro
    • Careers in Anthropology by W. Richard Stephens,
    • Your Career in Archaeology by George E. Stuart
    • Around the World in 30 Years: Life as a Cultural Anthropologist by Barbara Anderson
    • A Guide to Careers in Physical Anthropology edited by Alan S. Ryan
    • Stumbling Toward the Truth: Anthropologists at Work by Phillip R. DeVita
    • Becoming a Practicing Anthropologist by John van Willigen
    • Applied Anthropology by John van Willigen
    • Others Knowing Others edited by Don D. Fowler and Donald L. Hardesty
    • Applied Anthropology: A Career-oriented Approach by Margaret A. Gwynne
    • Anthropology: Career Resources Handbook by Margaret A. Gwynne
    • Applied Anthropology by Erve Chambers
    • Applied Anthropology by Alexander M. Ervin
    • Applied Anthropology in America edited by Elizabeth M. Eddy and William L. Partridge
    • Applied Anthropology in Canada by Edward J. Hedican
    • Opportunities in Museum Careers by Blythe Camenson
    • Opportunities in Forensic Sciences Careers by Blythe Camenson and Anita Hufft
    • Career Opportunities for Bilinguals and Multilinguals by Vladimir F. Wertsman
    • The Complete Guide to Environmental Careers in the 21st Century by Kevin Doyle

(All of these books are available at NKU's Steely Library or are on order by the library.)

Know a group or company we should add to our list? Need more information? Want to find out about majoring or minoring in anthropology or applied cultural studies or minoring in archaeology or Native American Studies? Want to visit our museum? Want NKU anthropologists to speak to a school or community group? Want to know more about our Careers Day? Want to join the Student Anthropology Association or the Anthropology Alumni Club? Want to know more about the NKU Gamma of Kentucky Chapter of Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society?

Contact Dr. Sharlotte Neely (email), Coordinator of Anthropology, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 41099-2200, (859) 572-5259 or 572-5258, FAX: (859) 572-6086. Thanks!

Thanks to University of Cincinnati applied anthropologist Dr. Riall Nolan for help with this careers information.