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
Wesley Korpela
Anthropology, 2011
pursing careering in maritime archaeology
Mark Castro
AnthropologyMinor in Geography, 2010
Castro ('10, Anthropology) is a Co-Director of the Cultural Resources Facility at Cal Poly Humboldt and has been with the organization for 5 years. Castro has a holistic work experience through his time with multiple agencies including the BLM working on museum collections and archaeological field surveys, the Eldorado National Forest as a field technician, and the Northwest Information Center (Sonoma State University).
He received his Master's in Cultural Resources Management at Sonoma State, is a Board Member of the Humboldt County Historical Society, and is the Co-Lead for the Pride (LGBTQ+) Taskforce for Coalition for Diversity in California Archaeology.
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).
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.
Kate Catanese
Anthropology, 2010
After graduating, I worked for six months as a research assistant on a project through Tulane University concerning the reproductive strategies of male capuchin monkeys. Although it was an amazing and life-changing experience, I came out of it knowing that I would much rather work with people than primates, and am currently seeking admission to HSU's elementary education program.
Jessica Peters
Anthropology, 2010
I have been accepted to UCLA's Anthropology PhD program, with full funding for four years, and will be studying under the guidance of renowned Anthropology professor Sherry Ortner starting in Fall 2011.
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.
Christopher Robertson
Anthropology, 2009
I just accepted an offer of admission into U.C. Berkeley's Asian Studies MA program, and will be focusing on China Studies during the fall of 2011. During the two-year program, I am hoping to take an extra year to study Chinese abroad in both China and Taiwan.
Scott Schindel
Anthropology, 2009
Volunteering on a Howler monkey project in Southern Mexico.
Traben Pleasant
Anthropology, 2009
I am currently pursuing a MSc. in Social/Cultural Anthropology at University College London, UK.