Breadcrumb
Careers & Alumni
Very few disciplines can prepare you for success like anthropology.
Anthropology and its subfields will help you learn to critically examine human biological and cultural diversity and evolution. In the process, you'll gain valuable experience conducting research, applying scientific methods to your observations, and communicating your conclusions through compelling written and oral presentations.
In addition to gaining a broad understanding of human biology, nature and society, you will gain expertise in specific topics and world regions that most interest you.
Our programs provide an ideal basis for successful employment in a wide range of careers in today's academic, nonacademic, and increasingly global job market, as well as continuation in advanced degree programs.
Comprehensive Skill Base & Unlimited Career Potential
Our program will help you learn to critically examine human biological and cultural diversity and evolution. In the process, you'll gain valuable experience conducting research, applying scientific methods to your observations, and communicating your conclusions through compelling written and oral presentations. In addition to gaining a broad understanding of human biology, nature and society, you will gain expertise in specific topics and world regions that most interest you.
A broad understanding humanity and experience working with people from different backgrounds are important assets in our increasingly diverse world. In that respect, very few disciplines can prepare you for success like Anthropology. A degree in Anthropology also provides you with strong research and presentation skills—both of which have consistently helped our graduates excel in a wide range of careers.
Humboldt anthropology students gain specialized knowledge and research skills in one or more subfields and world regions through advanced coursework and hands-on laboratory and field experiences. This provides an ideal basis for successful employment in a wide range of careers in todays academic, nonacademic, and increasingly global job market, as well as continuation in advanced degree programs.
Anthropologists strive to learn what people think is important in different circumstances, which is critical to learning how to communicate effectively in a wide variety of cultural situations and work environments.
The following are some of the many paths Anthropology majors have taken:
Career Areas Traditional/Intrinsic to Anthropology
All subfields: College Professor, Educator, Researcher, Writer, Museum Docent/Curator
Archaeology: Registered Professional Archaeologist, Cultural Resources Manager, Heritage Preservation Officer, Archaeologist with U.S. Forest Service or Caltrans, Historian, Area Specialist (e.g., Mayanist, Egyptologist), Zooarchaeologist, Maritime Archaeologist
Biological Anthropology: Primatologist (behavior/ecology/conservation), Paleoanthropologist, Forensic Anthropologist, Bioarchaeologist, Evolutionary Theorist
Cultural Anthropology Ethnographer, Community/International Development Worker, Advocate, Social/Environmental Justice Worker, Medical Anthropologist, Diplomat, NGO/Aid Worker, Civil Rights Worker, Cultural Consultant
Linguistic Anthropology: Linguistic, Semantic & Rhetoric Analyst (media, politics...), Narrative Analyst, Translator, Speech Communities Worker, Linguistic Pragmatics Fields, fields of cultural anthropology
Some Additional/Applied Career Trajectories for Anthropology Majors
Advocacy/Aid: Advocate, Program Developer, Analyst, Social/Environmental Justice Worker, Conservationist, NGO/Aid Worker, Civil Rights Worker, Disaster Relief Worker.
Business: Administrator, Business Owner/Manager, Analyst, Science/Technical Writer, Program Developer, Novelist, Media/Advertising Executive, Film-maker, Journalist/Reporter, Software/Website Designer.
Government/Law: Diplomat, Politician, Educator/Education Policy Worker, Lobbyist, Lawyer, Police Officer, Deputy Coroner, FBI/CIA Agent, Forensic Investigator. Anthropology is a popular pre-law degree; the Pre-Law Advising website offers guidance and resources.
Biology/Health: Evolutionary Health & Nutrition Consultant, Community/Public Health Officer, Biomedical Lab Technician, Autopsy Technician, Veterinary/Shelter Staff, Animal Trainer, Skeletal Biologist, Animal Rescue Worker, Zoo Staff, Healthcare Researcher/Analyst, Osteopathic Doctor. The Pre-Professional Health Program has advice on relevant prep coursework for those interested in pursuing professional health-related fields with their anthropology degree.
Check out these Biographies of Famous Anthropologists.
Career Resources
Anthropology students explore and prepare for careers throughout the program, and are encouraged to engage in volunteer and internship activities to explore career trajectories. In addition, the Career Center web site includes resources that help students to explore careers, including job search tools, search engines, and help preparing resumes and planning for interviews. The idealist.org site on the Center website enables students to find jobs based on geography, culture, area of focus, job function and so on. Students have access 24/7 to the online job board. The Center has also established a Facebook page that has regular updates on career events and jobs. Center staff can work with students at a distance in reviewing drafts of resumes and cover letters using telephone and E-Mail Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Alumni Office also offers interview coaching (mock interviews).
Check out this anthropology career guide.
Alumni Updates
Mia Kennel
Anthropology, 2016
Mia Kennel, 2016 Anthropology, started graduate school at the University of Wisconsin Madison's Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies. Kennel is in the the graduate Environmental Conservation program, widely considered the best program of it's type in the United States.
Jessica Peters
Anthropology, 2010
Jessica Peters, 2010, Anthropology, interned at the American Embassy in Paris. While there Peters was accepted into UCLA’s Anthropology PhD program, and received her M.A. in Sociocultural Anthropology in 2012 and her Ph.D. in Sociocultural Anthropology in 2015. During this time Peters also presented research at the AAAs and at the Interdisciplinary Conference in the Humanities (organized by the University of West Georgia).
Virginia Howard Mullan
Anthropologyminor: speech communication Masters: Geography & American History Credential: Multiple Subjects Teaching all from HSU, 1980
Virginia Howard Mullan, 1980, Anthropology, retired with a fabulous retirement party at the Arcata Theater Lounge after 30 years of teaching all subjects in a multigraded classroom at Bridgeville Elementary. Mullan is currently working at College of the Redwoods training foster and kindercare guardians, while also volunteering and substitute teaching at Cuddeback School in Carlotta, Calif. She is still writing and is currently working on publishing a vignette about Julia Park Howard. This year, Mullan had the chance to see many of her friends who are HSU alumni, including: Suzanne Stone Gorter, Jim Gorter, Sherry Sweeney, Jody Stevens Vandenburg, Marty Casillas, John Bennett, Bob Fiock, Dave Ward, and Ralph Martinez.
Rebecca Kellawan
Anthropology, 2005
Rebecca Kellawan, 2005 Anthropology, went on to graduate studies in the U.K. earning a Master’s of Arts with Distinction in Historical Archaeology from the University of Bristol. Kellawan is currently employed as a Senior Archaeologist with Far Western Anthropological Research Group located in Davis, California. Kellawan specializes in the historical archaeology of Northern California. She has also previously conducted research on African-American troops stationed in Britain during World War II and the Indian diaspora in the West Indies.
Jessica Peters
Anthropology, 2010
Jessica Peters, 2010, Anthropology, received a Master of Arts degree in Anthropology in 2012 at UCLA. Peters also presented research at the American Anthropological Association 2012 meeting, and at the Interdisciplinary Conference in the Humanities at the University of West Georgia.
Alexandra McGee
AnthropologyInternational Studies, Ethnic Studies, Spanish, 2011
I've transformed from a Humboldt Lumberjack to a Berkeley Bear. I have just started my first semester of graduate school as a Latin American Studies masters student. My last semester at HSU, I took an engineering course with Lonny Grafman which got me really excited about small-scale energy projects, particularly how they relate to community participation, rural development, energy independence and environmental sustainability.
At the same time, I've put my anthropology skills to use, moving into a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery to live with a high lama.
I'd love to hear from you. If you want to know more about my adventures, check out my blog:
throughaliseyes-chapterthree.blogspot.com
E Safiya Bal
AnthropologyGeography minor., 2011
I've been working as a substitute teacher for the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District since December 2011. As of April 2012 I was hired on as field technician for Far Western Anthropological Research Group, Inc. -based in Davis, CA. The project is in Vacaville, CA.
Mark Martinez
Anthropology, 2009
For the past two years I have been advocating and empowering youth to make non-violent, healthy choices as a mentor for the Tariq Khamisa Foundation. Influenced by anthropology of development, I hope to continue my work with non-profit organizations, while attaining my masters in social work.
Jennifer Humphreys
Anthropology, 2011
I am currently earning my M.S. in Primate Behavior at Central Washington University, specializing in molecular primatology. Soon I will be heading to the forests Suriname to study gene flow through conservation corridors.
Wesley Korpela
Anthropology, 2011
pursing careering in maritime archaeology