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Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an anthropologist. Feel free to use our anthropologist job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an anthropologist.

 

Who is an Anthropologist?

Anthropology is the scientific study of humans with the purpose of gaining a better knowledge of our evolutionary beginnings, our uniqueness as a species, and the vast diversity of our social forms around the world and over time. Anthropology focuses on comprehending both our shared humanity and diversity, as well as engaging with various ways of being in the world. Sociocultural anthropology, biological anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeological anthropology are the four subfields of anthropology. An anthropologist is someone who works in the field of anthropology.

Biological (physical), forensic, and medical anthropology all examine the biological development of humans, as well as the use of biological anthropology in a legal context and the study of diseases and their effects on humans across time. Anthropologists are interested in discovering what makes humans human. An anthropologist might be interested in anything from a tribe’s customs on a remote island to a city’s culture, and anything in between. Biological anthropologists study fossils and artifacts to find out how early humans might have acted and what distinguishes us from other primates. Anthropologists are social scientists who investigate human origins, as well as their physical, cultural, and social development. Anthropologists explore people’s language, traditions, beliefs, possessions, and values in different parts of the world and develop theories to explain their findings.

Anthropologists use a wide approach called holism to understand the many distinct facets of the human experience. They use archaeology to go back hundreds or thousands of years to see how human cultures lived and what was important to them. They look at our biological bodies and genetics, as well as our bones, food, and overall wellness. Anthropologists frequently compare humans to other animals (mostly primates such as monkeys and chimps) to see what we have in common with them and what sets us apart. Despite the fact that nearly all humans require the same things to survive, such as food, water, and company, the ways in which people achieve these needs vary greatly. Everyone needs to eat, for example, although people consume different foods and obtain food in different ways. As a result, anthropologists study how different groups of people get, prepare, and share food.

World hunger is caused by social barriers to distribution, according to Amartya Sen, who won the Nobel Prize for demonstrating that this was the case for all of the twentieth century’s famines. Anthropologists are also interested in learning how people interact in social situations (for example with families and friends). They study the various ways in which individuals dress and communicate in various societies. These parallels are occasionally used by anthropologists to better understand their own societies. Many anthropologists study economy, health, education, law, and policy in their own communities (to name just a few topics). They consider what they know about biology, culture, communication styles, and how humans lived in the past while attempting to comprehend these complex difficulties.

 

Anthropologist Job Description

Below are the anthropologist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an anthropologist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

• The tasks of anthropologists differ based on their field of study. An anthropologist’s responsibilities include the following:
• Provide instruction at all levels of the university curriculum comprising cultural anthropology, introduction, and essential theory courses for the major.
• Collaborate with undergraduate students to conduct research.
• Execute competitive research and audits for clients and project-based work at an advertising agency.
• Assist in the collection of insights, primarily through ethnography, in-depth interviews, and online community moderation, as the lead interviewer in market research firms.
• Design and plan research and development investigations for Automobile producers
• Implement field plans and fieldwork, as well as accompanying reports
• Gather information and make decisions through observations, interviews, and document reviews.
• Plan and direct research to characterize and compare the economic, demographic, health care, social, political, linguistic, and religious institutions of distinct cultural groups, communities, and organizations.
• Write about and present research findings for a variety of specialized and general audiences.
• Advise government agencies, private organizations, and communities regarding proposed programs, plans, and policies and their potential impacts on cultural institutions, organizations, and communities.
• Build and use text-based database management systems to support the analysis of detailed first-hand observational records, or “field notes.”
• Identify culturally-specific beliefs and practices affecting health status and access to services for distinct populations and communities, in collaboration with medical and public health officials.
• Develop intervention procedures, utilizing techniques such as individual and focus group interviews, consultations, and participant observation of social interaction.
• Plan and direct research to characterize and compare different cultural groups, communities, and organizations’ economic, demographic, health-care, social, political, linguistic, and religious institutions.
• Write about and communicate study findings for a variety of experts and general audiences.
• Provide recommendations to government agencies, private organizations, and communities on proposed initiatives, plans, and policies, as well as their possible effects on cultural institutions, organizations, and communities.
• Create and implement text-based information management systems to aid in the analysis of detailed first-hand observational recordings, also known as “field notes.”
• Identify culturally distinctive attitudes and behaviors that affect health status and access to services for various populations and communities in partnership with medical and public health officials.
• Create intervention processes using approaches including individual and focus group interviews, consultations, and observation of social interests by participants.
• Create and test data collection techniques.
• Explain human origins, physical, social, and cultural development, including physical characteristics, cultural traditions, beliefs, languages, resource management practices, and settlement patterns.
• Analyze how work is done and create work systems, technology, and surroundings, do participatory action research in communities and organizations.
• Develop general rules that characterize and predict the evolution and behavior of cultures and social institutions.
• Solve issues in organizational effectiveness, communications, technological development, policy-making, and program planning.
• Use photography, videography, and audio recordings to create data records for use in describing and understanding social patterns and processes.
• Collaborate with economic development planners to determine if proposed development policies, plans, and initiatives should be implemented based on culturally institutionalized hurdles and enabling conditions.
• Improve the cultural sensitivity of elementary and secondary curricula and classroom interaction in collaboration with educators and instructors.
• Look into archival collections of primary historical materials for a better understanding of the origins and evolution of cultural patterns.
• Use systematic sampling approaches to ensure that the people chosen for sample surveys are accurate, complete, precise, and representative.
• Use reputational and positional selection strategies, identify essential individual cultural collaborators.
• Collect and evaluate artifacts and skeletal remains to learn more about ancient culture.
• Organize public exhibits and displays to raise public understanding of the world’s different and unique cultural traditions.
• Apply traditional ecological knowledge and assessments of culturally different land and resource management organizations to assist in the resolution of conflicts over habitat protection and resource enhancement.
• Examine hominid fossils in museums to classify anatomical and physiological differences and see how they fit into evolutionary theories.
• Participate in forensic tasks such as tooth and bone structure identification in collaboration with police departments and pathologists.
• to identify and reduce vulnerabilities to food security. Observe the production, distribution, and consumption of food to identify and reduce vulnerabilities to food security.
• Analyze and characterize user experiences and institutional contexts in order to help consumer product developers, technology developers, and software engineers construct creative goods and services.
• Create geographic information systems (GIS) to map the distribution of languages, cultural and natural resources, land use, and settlement patterns of individual groups.
• Observe and quantify the biological variances and physical characteristics of various people populations.

 

Qualifications

If you wish to work in archaeology, for example, you’ll need to know about geology and geography. Physical anthropology requires knowledge of genetics and human anatomy. A Ph.D. degree in anthropology normally takes at least eight years of full-time study after high school. Fieldwork takes up a significant portion of this time. Furthermore, anthropologists are expected to continue reading and studying throughout their careers in order to stay current with new discoveries in the discipline.

Experience: Those with only a bachelor’s degree will find it difficult to obtain work, but if you have at least a four-year degree, you may be able to get work as a laboratory, field, or research assistant.

You might also obtain experience by participating in an internship, which is required for all entry-level positions in this industry, regardless of your degree.

Most jobs in this profession require a Ph.D. degree in anthropology. A bachelor’s or master’s degree may prepare you for research or administrative employment in the government or commercial sector.

 

Essential Skills

To break into and flourish in this sector, you’ll need specific attributes and skills.

• Communication Skills: Communication skills are necessary for collaborating on research and presenting results.
• Perseverance: Anthropologists can labor on particular projects for several years.
• Analytical abilities: Anthropologists should be able to think critically and analytically.
• Investigative abilities: An anthropologist should be able to figure out how humans have evolved over time.
• Physical stamina: This job requires hiking and climbing, as well as carrying supplies. An Anthropologist may be required to stand for lengthy periods of time or walk several miles when conducting field research.
• Writing abilities: You’ll need to be able to write succinct reports and publish your findings in academic journals.
• Ability to understand cultural diversity: Because anthropologists are frequently forced to study cultures other than their own and with values other than their own, it is critical that anthropologists engage with a culture on its own terms rather than in comparison to their own culture. Anthropologists must consequently become more culturally sensitive and knowledgeable about a wide range of ideas, rituals, religions, values, and behaviors.
• Critical-thinking abilities: Anthropologists need to be able to extract information from observations, experiments, and other research approaches. They must be able to solve problems and respond to research questions using a variety of sources of information.
• Physical stamina: Outstanding interpersonal skills
• The attention to detail is exceptional.
• Observant, insightful, and sensitive to cultural differences.
• Dedicated to the team
• Outstanding research abilities
• Ability to do tasks within a certain amount of time

 

How to Become an Anthropologist

A bachelor’s degree in anthropology or social sciences is required to work as an anthropologist. Regardless of the element of anthropology in which you wish to specialize, most undergraduate anthropology courses take a wide approach, allowing you to find and grasp what truly attracts you in the field. This teaching style also clarifies the differences between various areas of anthropology, such as the divide between linguistic and social anthropology.

Almost all anthropologists have a doctorate in the field. Those having a bachelor’s or master’s degree in anthropology may be able to get administration or research roles in exceptional situations. The majority of people, on the other hand, must study for eight years to earn a doctorate in anthropology. To become an anthropologist, the following steps are important:

1. Obtain your diploma or an equivalent qualification.

You’ll almost certainly need to go to college to become an anthropologist. You’ll also need a high school diploma or equivalent to excel in college or university and to be accepted to many schools. If you’re still in high school, think about taking some anthropology-related classes. If you’re getting your equivalency, do your homework on exam and coursework alternatives so you can be as prepared as possible for college.

2. Enroll in an undergraduate program.

After that, enroll in a college or university to complete an undergraduate program. Many universities offer anthropology as a major course of study. Each college and university’s main areas of study will most likely differ, therefore before picking a school to attend, look into the individual major and minor offers. When choosing a college, don’t forget to think about things like fees and location.

Candidates should be taught in the specific skill sets relevant to their field of study in addition to degree requirements. Archaeologists, for example, should take geology and geography classes. Biological anthropologists, on the other hand, should be as knowledgeable in human anatomy, genetics, and general biology. Similarly, linguistic anthropologists should be multilingual, and social scientists should have a good psychology and sociology background.

As an undergrad, look for opportunities to do research, fieldwork, and internships because these experiences will help you prepare for a career in anthropology. These kinds of experiences can help you stand out when it comes time to apply for full-time, permanent positions.

3. Decide on a specialty

As an anthropologist, you will most likely have the opportunity to specialize during your undergraduate studies. Biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology are the four primary fields of anthropology, each with numerous sub-categories. Your undergraduate area of interest may inform your graduate studies and career as a professional anthropologist, so be sure to look into all of your alternatives. Consider the ways in which various specialties may intersect.

4. Enroll in graduate school

Many anthropologists obtain advanced degrees, including Masters and Doctorate degrees. Consider pursuing an advanced degree program in your field of specialization after completing your undergraduate studies. Consult a trusted mentor about your graduate school aspirations, and keep in mind issues like funding, location, and faculty areas of specialization when making your choices. In graduate school, you’ll almost certainly have the opportunity to conduct research and possibly even publish your findings, so take advantage of it.

5. Look for open positions.

Research open positions in your field of specialization and in your target location during and after your anthropology courses. Consider looking into chances in different parts of the country, as you’ll be able to apply for a larger number of positions if you’re able or willing to relocate.

When you’re looking for a job, take note of the criteria required for the open positions you find and make a list of any additional credentials or years of experience you’ll need to land your dream job. Because certain vacancies may accept numerous qualifying options, you may want to apply for positions where you meet most but not all of the requirements.

6. Gather your materials and put them to use.

Try to adapt your resume and cover letter for anthropology jobs to the specific opportunities you’re looking for. Try to recall best practices and current knowledge in your field of expertise and include them in your application materials. Look for keywords in the job postings you’re applying for and make sure to include them in your resume and cover letter. If a company utilizes software to screen applications before sending them to a recruiting manager, having the correct wording included can be beneficial.

7. You passed the interview.

After that, you can be invited to an anthropology job interview. Practicing interview questions with a trusted friend or coworker is a wonderful method to prepare for your interview. Consider conducting a mock interview with someone who has already conducted an anthropological interview and soliciting comments on your responses.

 

Where to Work

Anthropologists operate in a wide range of environments, including institutions, advertising agencies, consulting businesses and corporations, research organizations, museums, colleges, and universities, to name a few. Many anthropologists work for the federal government. Some anthropologists work for local governments and private consulting organizations, and while many anthropologists conduct field research, others spend most of their time in offices and laboratories.

Anthropologists operate in a variety of settings, from colleges and universities to government agencies, non-governmental organizations, enterprises, and health and human services. They teach undergraduate and graduate anthropology at the university, and many departments and professional schools, such as business, education, design, and public health, provide anthropology courses. Anthropologists make major contributions to interdisciplinary subjects such as international studies, ethnic and gender studies, and some work in academic research centers. Anthropologists work in government agencies, private businesses, community organizations, museums, independent research institutes, service organizations, and the media outside of the university, and some work as independent consultants and research staff for organizations like the Centers for Disease Control, UNESCO, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank. More than half of all anthropologists today work for non-university groups. Building research alliances, assessing economic needs, evaluating policies, implementing innovative educational programs, collecting little-known community histories, providing health services, and other socially important tasks could all be part of their job description. Anthropologists are working on issues such as the social and cultural effects of natural disasters, equal access to finite resources, and global human rights.

 

Anthropologist Salary scale

Pay is determined by a variety of criteria, including the amount of experience, education and training, geographic region, and industry. The federal government employs the most well-paid anthropologists.

$62,410 ($30.00/hour) is the median annual salary.

Annual Salary in the Top 10%: More than $97,170 ($46.77/hour)

Annual Salary in the Bottom 10%: Less than $36,840 ($17.71/hour)

An anthropologist in Nigeria earns roughly 471,000 NGN per month on average. Salaries range from 254,000 NGN to 711,000 NGN (lowest to highest) (highest). This is the monthly average pay, which includes housing, transportation, and other benefits. It’s important to note that anthropologist pay varies greatly depending on experience, abilities, gender, and area.

The most essential criterion in deciding a wage is the amount of experience. Naturally, the more years of experience you have, the more money you will earn.  Anthropologists’ salaries have been broken down by experience level and this is what was discovered:

A month’s salary for an anthropologist with less than two years of experience is roughly 295,000 NGN.

Someone with two to five years of experience may expect to earn 373,000 NGN per month, which is 26% higher than someone with less than two years of experience.

Moving forward, someone with five to ten years of experience earns 491,000 NGN per month, which is 32% more than someone with two to five years of experience.

Furthermore, Anthropologists with ten to fifteen years of experience earn 578,000 NGN a month, which is 18% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.

If you have fifteen to twenty years of experience, you can expect to earn 640,000 NGN per month, which is 11% higher than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.

Finally, individuals with more than twenty years of professional experience earn 681,000 NGN per month, which is 6% more than those with fifteen to twenty years.

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