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Careers in Anthropology

What is anthropology?

Anthropology is literally the study of mankind and while there are anthropologists who approach the study of humans from a cultural perspective (e.g., cultural anthropologists, anthropological linguists and archaeologists) others study humans as animals (e.g., physical or biological anthropologists). Because of the diversity in perspectives, most anthropology departments throughout the United States offer a four field approach to the discipline. We at CSU, Chico, are no different and address each of anthropology's subdisciplines: archaeology, cultural, linguistics and physical/biological anthropology.

Despite diverse approaches among anthropologists they are tied by their common interest to pursue answers to questions concering human origin, evolution, and variation, which frequently requires an understanding of both biology and culture. Indeed, the discipline of anthropology takes pride in its all encompassing or "holistic" approach to the study of humans. Just as many other disciplines, anthropology emphasizes the life long value of a strong, broad liberal arts education. This notion is perhaps best demonstrated by the following unsolicited statement provided by an individual who received their B.A. degree in Anthropology from CSU Chico in 1977:

"I just wanted to add that though I'm not working directly in the field of Anthropology, I wouldn't have changed my major for anything. Besides being fun, exciting and always interesting, I've always felt that my Anthropology background gives me a broad and unbiased view of the world and its many cultures, which in turn provides me with a better understanding of current world conflicts and an appreciation of our planet's cultural diversity. If some form of Cultural Anthropology -- explaining the diversity of our species -- was provided at the elementary school level, I think we'd have a much more tolerant and harmonious adult population."

Certificate Programs

Unlike many liberal arts disciplines, while anthropologists acknowledge the value of knowing who "BACON" was, they additionally recognize the importance of preparing their students with the skills for bringing it home. For that reason the Anthropology Department at CSU, Chico offers certificate programs which can assist its graduates to enter careers in which knowledge of anthropological data, techniques, and methods have proven valuable. The Department's four certificate programs include Applied Cultural, Cultural Resource Management, Forensic Identification, and Museum Studies. Each of the Anthropology Department's Certificate Programs requires that a student fulfill an internship component where they gain practical, professional work experience in an appropriate agency. For example, while not an exhaustive list, students of the Anthropology Department have been placed as interns at:

  • United States Agency for International Development (AID)
  • Bay Area Discovery Museum
  • Botswana National Museum
  • Butte County Sheriff's Department
  • California Department of Justice (DOJ)
  • California Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Chico Police Department
  • Gene Autrey Western Heritage Museum
  • Harvard Peabody Museum
  • M.H. DeYoung Museum
  • New York City Medical Examiner's Office
  • Northeast Center of the California Historical Resource System
  • Physical Anthropology/Human Identification Laboratory
  • Sacramento County Coroner's Office
  • Shasta County Coroner's Office
  • Smithsonian Institution
  • Southwest Museum
  • United States Forest Service
  • United States Department of Fish and Game Forensic Laboratory
  • Whitney Art Museum

What Anthropologists Do . . .

Anthropology is concerned with analyzing the origins, cultures, languages, and value systems of all people, past and present. Many are ethnographers--which study contemporary cultures while archaeologists excavate locations of past civilizations and are increasingly involved in environmental review processes.
Physical anthropologists attempt to explain human origins, evolution, and variation through the study of evolutionary theory, comparative anatomy, human paleontology, population genetics, and primate behavior. Some anthropologists specialize in museum work, linguistics, or folklore. Most teach in colleges and universities, in many cases combining teaching with research. However, increasing numbers of anthropologists are finding positions in business and public agencies.

Career Outlook

While employment opportunities in college and university teaching have declined, as "Baby Boomers" grow older and retire, this trend will undoubtedly be reversed. Certainly an increasing number of jobs are becoming available for anthropologists in museums, in programs of archaeological research, mental and public health programs, and poverty and community action activities, as well as in private industry. Today's emphasis on increased multicultural understanding to promote cooperation, and enhance a growing economy and better business, has placed a greater value on anthropological understanding. Anthropologists have been hired in the following areas:

  • Advertising
  • Archaeology
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Computer Programing
  • Death Investigation
  • Development (i.e, international, national, state, and local)
  • Education
  • Foreign Service
  • Forensic Investigation
  • Forest Service
  • Genetic Counseling
  • Import-Export Business
  • Labor Relations
  • Marketing
  • Museums
  • National Parks
  • Personnel
  • Public Health
  • Public Relations
  • Research (private industry, museums, universities, etc.)
  • Sales
  • Social Security
  • Social Work
  • State Parks
  • Systems Analysis
  • Teaching (i.e., universities, junior colleges, public/private schools)
  • Tourism

For additional information about Anthropology at CSU, Chico, please feel free to contact Dr. Martinez, Chair, or Stephanie Meyers, Secretary, Department of Anthropology, CSU, Chico, CA 95929-0400; or call (530) 898-6192 or FAX (530) 898-6143.