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
Ariel Marie Gruenthal
Anthropology, 2008
After graduating from the University of Central Lancashire, UK in 2009 with a MSc in Forensic Anthropology, I have taken a job with the Humboldt County Coroner's Office as a Deputy Coroner.
Lizbet Husby-Gerry
Anthropology, 2007
Living and working in Oregon.
Barbara Klessig
AnthropologyMA, Environment & Community Program, 2007
Barbara Klessig ('07, Anthropology, '13, M.A. Social Science) worked with Solano Archaeological Services and is currently a lecturer at Cal Poly Humboldt and an Archaeology Research Assistant with the Cultural Resource Facility (CRF). During her undergrad, she specialized in Archaeology, and her thesis for her M.A. is titled "Textile Production Tools from Viking Age Graves in Gotland, Sweden."
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.
Greg Collins
Anthropology, 1998
After graduating in December 1998 from HSU with my BA in Anthropology and Geography (double major) I began working as a shovel bum for archaeological consulting firms and the U.S. Forest Service. After traveling around California as an archaeological technician for a few years, I started graduate school at CSU, Chico and completed my thesis with an emphasis on CRM and zooarchaeology. I am currently the North Coast Redwoods District Archaeologist and am stationed in Eureka. My academic and professional career has taken me full circle, and I am now raising my family in Humboldt County.
Evan Pinto
Anthropology, 1995
I have been working as a secondary teacher for a virtual high school. I also teach vocational education classes (in a bricks and mortar class). In addition, my wife, two children and I just adopted a two year old Golden Retriever!
Timi O'Malley
AnthropologyEthno-Botany and Spanish, 1994
Timi O'Malley, Anthropology, 1994, published "Consuming Love: The Joy of Sharing Meals" in December 2018. This is a memoir not only about food and the people that shared these meals with her, but the spiritual lessons learned along the way.
Virginia Howard Mullan
Anthropology MA American History, 1980, 2006
After teaching middle school, all subjects, at Bridgeville Elementary for 31 years, Virginia decided to put more time into her writing. In the last few years, the North Coast Journal, Senior News, The Sun, The Times-Standard, and The Eel River Valley DAR Newsletter have included her work in their publications. Virginia published a book entitled "What Remains: the People and Places of California's Expositions" about California World's Fairs in 2021.
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.