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Anthropologists study and compare the origin and evolution of humans, their adaptation to different environments, and the wide variety of cultures and social institutions they have created.  

JOB DUTIES  

Anthropologists may:

Gather, analyze, and report data on such aspects of human life as human physique and biological variation; traditions; value systems; belief systems and religion; languages; social customs & relationships; political systems; economic systems and technology; and artifacts, such as weapons, tools, pottery, and clothing  

Apply anthropological data & techniques to help solve human relation problems in industrial relations, race and ethnic relations, social work, education, public health, economic development and resource management, programs with other cultures, and foreign relations  

Consult on such projects of urban renewal, health care, resource management, and environmental improvement  

Write for professional journals and other publications  

Direct and manage museums  

Teach college or university classes  

Supervise field research projects and student study programs  

Tools, equipment and materials:

Anthropologists use a wide variety of technical and scientific equipment depending on their specific field of research. An Anthropologist studying health problems, for example, may make full use of medical instruments and facilities. Anthropologists studying a country's demographic structure might use maps, census and population reports, computers, and other relevant materials.  

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES  

There are 4 conventional branches of anthropology: cultural or social anthropology; physical or biological anthropology; linguistic anthropology; and archaeology (see MOIScript #345). Although Anthropologists generally specialize in 1 of these 4 areas, they are expected to have a general knowledge of all of them. They may also specialize in these areas:  

055.067-010 ANTHROPOLOGISTS study and compare the origin and evolution of humans, their adaptation to different environments, and the wide variety of cultures and social institutions they have created.  

055.067-022 ETHNOLOGISTS or cultural Anthropologists study and compare the cultures and patterns of daily life and behavior of past and living peoples.  

055.067-014 PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGISTS (also known as Biological Anthropologists) study the meanings and causes of human physical differences and the effects of culture, heredity, and environment on the human body. They study such aspects as human evolution, growth patterns, and aging.  

Their work requires extensive training in human anatomy and biology.

055.067-010 ANTHROPOLOGICAL LINGUISTS study the relationship between languages and cultures. They specialize in the scientific study of the sounds, grammatical structures, and historical relationships of languages; linguistic development; language learning and acquisition; the role of language in social relations; and the relationship between language and thought.  

055.067-010 APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGISTS apply anthropological concepts, principles, and data to current problems. For example, they may provide guidelines for introducing new technologies to nonindustrial societies, methods for providing modern health care services, and suggestions for cultural resource management.  

055.067-010 URBAN ANTHROPOLOGISTS study complex, industrialized societies. They study such aspects of city life as rural-urban migration and the influence of urban life on traditional social patterns.  

055.067-014 MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGISTS study the history of diseases, training and practices of health specialists, the genetics of disease, and related topics.  

Other areas of specialization include business, psychological, legal, and economic anthropology.  

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:  

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS  

Most Anthropologists are employed in colleges and universities. Normally, their academic duties require that they work closely with other members of their departments. In addition, they work in research projects that bring them into contact with other people of similar interests.  

Anthropologists usually work in clean, well lighted, well ventilated offices and classrooms. They may often do field work in different cultural environments for long periods. Anthropologists doing field research may face unfavorable social, weather, or other environmental conditions which may cause health problems or other hazards.  

Anthropologists who teach at colleges usually teach less than 40 hours per week, but may spend many hours preparing lessons, writing, and conducting research. Those workers doing field research work according to regular daily activity patterns of the people they study; however, they usually must meet deadlines.  

Anthropologists usually join professional associations such as the American Association of University Professors, the American Anthropological Association, the Society for Applied Anthropology, and the American Association of Physical Anthropologists. Those who belong to associations must pay periodic membership fees.  

You Should Prefer:

• Performing activities of a scientific or technical nature  

• Doing activities that need a creative imagination & a questioning mind  

• Performing activities involving people and ideas  

You Should Be Able To:

• Work with and among people and in unfamiliar surroundings  

• Organize and conduct scientific research  

• Know the meanings/relationships of words and use language effectively  

• Rate information by to personal judgment or measurable standards  

• Visualize how flat drawings or pictures would look as solid objects  

• See detail in objects or drawings  

• Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings  

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If your research extends back 2 centuries, what years would your research range from?  

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

At the end of the formation of our planet, Earth circled its star with its eight companion planets. Its once overwhelming mass of atmosphere had been bombarded by the sun's outpouring of radiant energy and charged particles until only a remnant of its initial gaseous envelope remained.  

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining any research that you may have done concerning human behavior.  

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best experimental design that would discover the desired data.  

Students who want to become Anthropologists should obtain a Ph.D. A master's degree plus field experience is sufficient for many beginning professional positions, but a Ph.D. degree is frequently required for promotion and permanent teaching positions. Competency in at least one foreign language is required of most doctoral candidates. Those wishing to work for federal, state, or local government agencies are required to pass a civil service exam.  

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES  

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond High School) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:  

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript  

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

010 ANTHROPOLOGY & ARCHEOLOGY

Programs in Anthropology and Archeology provide opportunities to gain knowledge and skills helpful to occupations where understanding human relations and changing social-cultural behavior is important. Individuals who teach anthropology at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.  

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY  

Studies with local amateur anthropological societies or part-time and summer work may be available in various museums. Postsecondary programs in anthropology may provide experience. Some universities have assistantship and fellowship programs which allow graduate students to gain practical experience.  

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships  

mentorships  

job shadowing experiences  

touring a local Anthropologist employer  

internships  

volunteer work with a Anthropologist employer  

community service work with an agency  

For employment as an Anthropologist, apply directly to colleges and other employers. Assistance in locating positions may be obtained from your college placement offices, Department of Anthropology, or from professional associations. For government employment, apply directly to federal, state, or local civil service offices. Many federal agencies do their own hiring. The "United States Government Manual", available in most libraries, lists the addresses of agencies. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

American Anthropological Association Careers ( http://www.aaanet.org/careers.htm )  

AnthroTECH Anthropological Resources ( http://anthrotech.com )  

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Michigan Talent Bank

Classifieds Employment  

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

JobsOnline  

CareerBuilder

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT  

Earnings of Anthropologists vary according to their educational level and experience, the employer, and geographic location. Teachers' earnings may vary according to the classes they teach and their academic rank.  

Nationally, social scientists, including Anthropologists, earned a median annual salary of $35,412 in 1998. Recent social science graduates, including Anthropologists, with a Master's degree received starting salaries averaging $29,237 a year (1998).  

In the federal government (1999), starting annual salaries were $31,195 for persons with a master's degree and $37,744 for a Ph.D. degree. Supervisory Archaeologists started at $53,793 per year (1999). The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.  

Nationally, average salaries for college and university faculty members in public 4-year colleges and universities for the 1998-99 school year (9-10 months) were $72,721 for professors, $53,170 for associate professors, $43,799 for assistant professors, and $33,402 for instructors.  

Teachers in the East North Central region that includes Michigan 4-year colleges and universities earned (1998-99) school year, 9-10 months):  

Some Anthropologists supplement their income with earnings from summer teaching, consulting fees, research grants, or royalties from published books and magazine articles.  

Depending on the employer, most Anthropologists receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; retirement plans; and sick pay. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.  

Most academic Anthropologists work under nine month contracts and do not get paid summer vacations. Individuals on twelve month contracts (administrators and museum workers) get paid vacations. In addition, college or university teachers might receive sabbatical leave at 60%-100% of their annual salary after 6-7 years of employment.  

Anthropologists may advance to higher paying jobs with increased responsibilities after gaining additional experience, education, and proving their ability to handle a higher level job. Generally, only Anthropologists with a Ph.D. get permanent teaching jobs. Those with less than a Ph.D. may work in research and administrative jobs in government or the public sector.  

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK  

Nationally, there were over 10,400 members of the American Anthropological Association in 1998. About 80% were employed in higher education. Employment is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2006. Nearly all growth will occur in non-academic jobs, such as consulting firms, research institutes, corporations and federal, state, and local government agencies.  

It is estimated that there will be many more graduates with majors in anthropology than employment opportunities. Most Ph.D. degree holders will find positions in anthropology. However, a greater proportion of those with degrees less than a doctorate may have to seek employment with non traditional employers. Specializations offering the best employment prospects include archaeology and physical, medical and urban anthropology.  

It is estimated that between 50-100 Anthropologists were employed in Michigan in 1996. Most worked for colleges and universities in teaching or research positions. Others worked in museums; research institutes; private consulting firms; and federal, state, and local government agencies. A few Physical Anthropologists work for medical schools.  

Because of the small size of this occupation, few openings are expected annually for Anthropologists in Michigan through 2006. Most openings will be due to the replacement of workers who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons.  

Those holding Ph.D.'s may face keen competition through the late 90's. However, recent environmental protection and historic preservation laws, as well as growing interest in ethnic studies, may result in increased employment opportunities in nontraditional areas. Some Anthropology graduates may increase their chances for employment by obtaining training in other areas, such as medicine, law, or public and business administration.  

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2006

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.  

SUMMARY PROFILE  

The occupation of Anthropologist can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development