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Anthropology
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: http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/sociology/anthsoc/market.htm

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

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Browse through our alumni profiles to learn about their experiences, thoughts and advice. You can also check out Alumni Career Connections, where you have the potential to contact an alum in your field of interest and learn more about your options.
Here are a few alumni you may be interested in reading about:

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 Part-Time 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
  • 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 Internships

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

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

ROP allows students in their second year (i.e. who have completed at least 4 credits but not more than 9) to earn one full course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. An example of a recent ROP project in Anthropology is "Experimental Archaeology and the Investigation of Ancient Technologies”. Learn more on the ROP web site.

Also consider an independent research/ independent study course offered at the third/fourth year levels (ANT 397H5; ANT 399Y5; ANT 498H5; ANT 499Y5). Speak to a professor for further details.

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,
http://www.yorku.ca/kdenning/refsforallstudents/fieldwork.htm

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 way to get an edge in the job market. It also furthers your knowledge of a particular field.

RESOURCES
Career Centre Library Resources: Web Links:
  • 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
Library Panel Packages: Library Videos:
  • Exciting Careers in Anthropology (2003)
  • Careers in Physical Anthropology (2002)
  • What Can I Do With a Degree in Physical Anthropology? (2003)
  • What Can I Do With a Degree in 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 out our Events calendar for upcoming career related events.

Back to Careers By Major Search Page


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