Careers by Major - Anthropology

Quick navigation

Careers for graduates

There are many different career options available for Anthropology graduates. Below is a sample of types of positions that Anthropology graduates have gone on to.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

  • Paleontologist*
  • Archaeologist*
  • Laboratory Assistant*
  • University Professor*
  • Market Research Assistant*
  • Primatologist
  • Forensic Anthropologist
  • Medical Anthropologist
  • Museum Technician
  • Cultural Resource Manager
  • Ethnographer
  • Multicultural Education Specialist
  • Ethnologist
  • Human Resources Specialist
  • Program Director
  • Refugee Services Coordinator
  • Survey Researcher
  • Project Development Officer
  • Epidemiologist
  • Community Worker *
  • Foreign Service Officer*
  • Kinesiologist*
  • Social Worker*
  • Forensics Specialist*
  • Immigration Officer*
  • ESL Teacher*
  • Archivist
  • Conservator
  • Lobbyist
  • Rural Development Officer
  • Coroner/Medical Examiner
  • Linguist
  • Librarian
  • Foreign Aid Worker
  • Research Consultant
  • Public Health Educator
  • Museum Education Director
  • Federal Government Policy Analyst
  • Policy Scientist
  • Volunteer Coordinator

Note: Career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Cdn. electronic career guide available in the Centre

Who employs anthropology graduates?

  • Museums/Art Galleries
  • Archaeological Consulting Companies
  • Government and Community Org.
  • Physical Anthropological Labs
  • International Agencies
  • Business/Market Research Firms
  • Universities and Colleges
  • Environmental Agencies
  • Publishers
  • Non-profit agencies

Skills developed by anthropology majors

Communication and Interpersonal:

  • Interviewing people to obtain information about their attitudes, customs, and beliefs
  • Cultural sensitivity
  • Working cooperatively with others
  • Understanding group dynamics
  • Adapting to varied cultural conditions
  • Presenting/defending a position
  • Summarizing results
  • Writing clearly

Research:

  • Carrying out data collection and evaluating research results

Technical:

  • Writing effectively
  • Attention to detail
  • Preserving objects by selecting chemical treatment, temperature, humidity
  • Drawing maps and constructing models to scale
  • Photographing sites, objects, people, occasions

Quantitative:

  • Using statistics and computer science to analyze data.

Thinking Critically and Problem Solving:

  • Providing insight to social problems by supplying information as to how problems are dealt with in other cultures
  • Adapting approaches used in public relations, marketing, or politics to different population groups
  • Analyzing craft techniques
  • Interpreting or translating

Organizational:

  • Organizing information/materials during research
  • Managing time efficiently
  • Presenting theories/ideas/viewpoints in a comprehensive manner.

Project Development:

  • Planning long term projects
  • Recruiting/coordinating research
  • Writing grant proposals
  • Evaluating
  • Maintaining records.

Some content adapted from: Monroe Community College Department of Anthropology, History, Political Science & Sociology

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates.  To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation.  Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.

  • Anthropology Coordinator, In-Sync
  • Archaeological Field Technician, Archaeological Services Inc.
  • Historical Archaeologist, Archaeological Services Inc.
  • Study Coordinator/Research Assistant, University Health Network
  • Medical Underwriting Trainee, Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada
  • Programs Coordinator, Scugog Shores Historical Museum
  • Archaeological Assistant, Parks Canada
  • Graphic Design Museum Assistant, Halton Region Museum
  • Archives Assistant, Archives of Ontario
  • Sales Associate, Forensic Technology
  • Placement Counsellor, St. Stephen's Employment & Training Centre
  • Market Research Representative, The Canadian Institute
  • Project Leader, Katimavik
  • Curator, Canadian Museum of Civilization Corp.
  • Native Services Worker, Minto Counselling Centre
  • Development & Communications Coordinator, TakingITGlobal
  • Sociologist/Anthropologist, Golder Associates
  • Program Manager, Youth Challenge International
  • Foreign Language Intelligence Analyst, Communications Security Establishment
  • Field/Lab Technician, FFA Canada
  • Environmental Advisor, Glaxosmithkline Inc.
  • Toxicologist, Inertek Cantox
  • Research Assistant/Clinical Study Coordinator, McMaster University
  • Technical Consultant, ITER8 Inc.
  • Scientist – Regulatory Affairs, Kraft Canada

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want.  Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Summer Positions 

  • Public Archaeology Program Asst., Town of Richmond Hill
  • Evidence Entry Technician, Forensic Technology
  • Policy Assistant, Ontario Ministry of Health
  • Exhibit Coordinator, Scugog Shores Historical Museum
  • Archaeological Field Technicians, Archaeological Services Inc.
  • Study Interviewer, Arthritis Community Research
  • Community Facilitator, Nabors Inc.
  • Policy/Research Assistant, Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat

Part-Time Positions

  • Museum Program Staff, City of Toronto, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
  • Archivist, University of Toronto- Institute for Human Development
  • Anthropology Work Placement, Sensors Quality Management Inc.
  • Market Research Assistant, Advantage Global Communications Inc.
  • Research Assistant, Riverdale Immigrant Women's Centre
  • Docent (Museum Educator), Bata Shoe Museum
  • Historical Interpreter, City of Toronto

Work Study - previous postings have included:

  • Research Assistant for Molecular Anthropology Lab, UTM Anthropology Department
  • Research and Lab Assistant, University of Toronto
  • Archaeology Lab Assistant, University of Toronto
  • Zoo Archaeology Lab Assistant, University of Toronto
  • Archaeological Mapping Assistant, University of Toronto
  • Cultural Research Database Mgr., OISE/UT

Internships - check the Career Centre’s online Internship Search database for current offerings.

Extern Job Shadowing Program - previous placements:

  • Archivist, Canadian Opera Company
  • Curator/Director, Hart House, Justina M. Barnicke Gallery

Research Opportunity Program (ROP) at U of T Mississauga

UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows students in their second and third year to earn one full course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Check the ROP website for information about the program including application deadlines.

Field courses

Complete a credit and gain experience by taking a field course offered through the UTM Anthropology department (e.g., ANT 306H- Forensic Archaeology; ANT 318H- Archaeological Fieldwork). Field experience can further the development of your skills and it is a valuable experience which you can highlight on your resume. Click here for a description of these field courses.

For more information on Field Schools and Fieldwork Opportunities, click here.

Other ways to get involved

UTM Clubs and Community Associations: Join on-campus clubs and community associations that demonstrate your commitment and enthusiasm for particular industries. Check out the UTM Anthropology Society.

Professional Associations:

Each industry has affiliated associations. There are many benefits of becoming a member of an association, such as stating your affiliation on your resume.  In addition to your experiences and the completion of your university degree, a student membership in an association is one ay to get an edge in the job market.  It also furthers your knowledge of a particular field.

American Anthropological Association
"Founded in 1902, the American Anthropological Association (AAA) is the world's largest organization of individuals interested in anthropology. Although there were several other American anthropological societies in existence at the turn of the 20th century, this new, national organization was formed "to promote the science of anthropology, to stimulate and coordinate the efforts of American anthropologists, to foster local and other societies devoted to anthropology, to serve as a bond among American anthropologists and anthropologic[al] organizations present and prospective, and to publish and encourage the publication of matter pertaining to anthropology" (AAA Articles of Incorporation).”

Canadian Anthropology Society
CASCA has more than 500 members from across the country and the world. CASCA’s priorities include: lobbying funding agencies as necessary to ensure continuing financial support for anthropological research; committing to excellence in Canadian anthropology graduate programmes and in the teaching of undergraduate anthropology; and providing a platform to anthropologists practicing the discipline outside of academia.

Canadian Conservation Institute
A Canadian Heritage website put out by the Government of Canada; offers an internship program.

Canadian Museums Association
"The Canadian Museums Association (CMA) is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The CMA works for the recognition, growth, and stability of the sector."

Ontario Archaeological Society
"The Ontario Archaeological Society is a registered charitable organization that promotes the ethical practice of archaeology.  Ontario's historic and prehistoric resources are continually being destroyed by urban, commercial and industrial development.  The general public, students and professional alike are encouraged to become members of the Society and to support its co-ordinating role in helping to record and preserve our non-renewable cultural heritage."

Ontario Museum Association
"The Ontario Museum Association is the leading cultural organization ensuring a relevant and sustainable museum sector in the province for the benefit of Ontario residents and our global community."

The Linguistic Association of Canada and the United States
"ACUS was founded to create a forum for the free flow of ideas and discussion on communication going beyond traditional grammatical studies in the various traditional modes. It holds an annual Forum at a university campus each summer, alternating between Canada and the United States."

National Association for the Practice of Anthropology
"Founded in 1983, NAPA strives to promote the practice of anthropology, both within the discipline and among private, public, and non-profit organizations. NAPA continues to grow as anthropologists engaged in practice have developed broader professional opportunities both inside and outside the academic realm."

Resources

Career Centre Library Resources: 

  • Career Cruising
  • Great Jobs for Anthropology Majors
  • Careers for Culture Lovers & Other Artsy Types
  • Careers for History Buffs & Others Who Learn From the Past
  • Careers for Non-Conformists
  • Career Information Binders

Web Links:

Library Panel Packages:

  • Exciting Careers in Anthropology (2003)
  • Careers in Physical Anthropology (2002)

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).