Anthropologist

__ Job Description __ ** // Anthropologists // study the origin and the physical, social, and cultural development and behavior of humans. They may examine the way of life, archaeological remains, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. Some compare the customs, values, and social patterns of different cultures. Anthropologists usually concentrate in sociocultural anthropology, linguistics, biophysical, or physical anthropology. Sociocultural anthropologists study the customs, cultures, and social lives of groups in settings that range from unindustrialized societies to modern urban centers. Linguistic anthropologists investigate the role of, and changes to, language over time in various cultures. Biophysical anthropologists research the evolution of the human body, look for the earliest evidences of human life, and analyze how culture and biology influence one another. Physical anthropologists examine human remains found at archaeological sites in order to understand population demographics and factors, such as nutrition and disease, which affected these populations.
 * ANTHROPOLOGY...by Stephanie Hilliard

A normal work day depends on the type of anthropology that you're talking about. Some anthropologists decide to become college professors and others decide to become physically involved in their field. The word "typical" is not an appropriate word when it comes to describing the strenuos day of an anthropologist. A large number of anthropologists go and live in the parts of the world that they specialize in for long periods of time to become more accquainted with that culture. Most anthropologists have regular hours. Generally working behind a desk, either alone or in collaboration with other anthropologists, they read and write research articles or reports. Many experience the pressures of writing and publishing, as well as those associated with deadlines and tight schedules. Sometimes they must work overtime, for which they usually are not compensated. Anthropologists often work as an integral part of a research team. Travel may be necessary to collect information or attend meetings. Anthropologists on foreign assignment must adjust to unfamiliar cultures, climates, and languages. Some anthropologists may travel to remote areas, live among the people they study, learn their languages, and stay for long periods at the site of their investigations. They may work under rugged conditions, and their work may involve strenuous physical exertion. Anthropologists employed by colleges and universities usually have flexible work schedules, often dividing their time among teaching, research, writing, consulting, and administrative responsibilities. Those who teach in these settings are classified as postsecondary teachers.
 * __ A "Typical" Work Day/ Working Conditions __ **

** __Personality Characteristics__ ** Anthropologists need to be optimistic, creative, curious, adventurous, intelligent, positive, compassionate, and motivated. Anthropologists need excellent written and oral communication skills to report research findings and to collaborate on research. Successful anthropologists also need intellectual curiosity and creativity because they constantly seek new information about people, things, and ideas. The ability to think logically and methodically is also essential to analyze complicated issues, such as the relative merits of various forms of government. Objectivity, an open mind, and systematic work habits are important in all kinds of anthropology research. Perseverance, too, is often necessary, as when an anthropologist spends years studying artifacts from an ancient civilization before making a final analysis and interpretation.

__** Places Of Employment **__ Jobs can be found in both private and public government agencies. As and anthropologist, you can also be employed through a university or college although competition is quite fierce for those jobs. Any research facility would be a good place as well. In any of these above stated places can a job for the study of anthropology be found. The closest place to Slippery Rock for this job would be at SRU.

Overall employment is projected to grow about as fast as average, but varies by detailed occupation. Job seekers may face competition, and those with higher educational attainment will have the best prospects. Employment change. Overall employment of social scientists is expected to grow 10 percent from 2006 to 2016, about as fast as the average for all occupations. However, projected growth rates vary by specialty. Anthropologists and archaeologists, sociologists, and historians are projected to grow about as fast as average. Employment of geographers and political scientists is projected to grow more slowly than average, reflecting the relatively few opportunities outside of the Federal Government. Employment is projected to decline slowly in the Federal Government, a key employer of social scientists. Anthropologists and archeologists will experience the majority of their job growth in the management, scientific, and technical consulting services industry. Anthropologists who work as consultants apply anthropological knowledge and methods to problems ranging from economic development issues to forensics. As construction projects increase, more archaeologists also will be needed to monitor the work, ensuring that historical sites and artifacts are preserved. People seeking social science positions may face competition for jobs, and those with higher educational attainment will have the best prospects. Many jobs in policy, research, or marketing for which social scientists qualify are not advertised exclusively as social scientist positions. Because of the wide range of skills and knowledge possessed by these social scientists, many compete for jobs with other workers, such as market and survey researchers, psychologists, engineers, urban and regional planners, and statisticians. Some people with social science degrees will find opportunities as university faculty rather than as applied social scientists. Although there will be keen competition for tenured positions, the number of faculty expected to retire over the decade and the increasing number of part-time or short-term faculty positions will lead to better opportunities in colleges and universities than in the past. The growing importance and popularity of social science subjects in secondary schools also is strengthening the demand for social science teachers at that level. As for government projections, the number of anthropologists and archeologists are estimated to increase from 5,500 in 2004 to 6,400 in 2016. In other words, the projected employment rate will increase by 15%.
 * __ Job Outlook __**

__ **Salary Information** __ In May 2006, anthropologists and archaeologists had median annual wage-and-salary earnings of $49,930; geographers, $62,990; historians, $48,520; political scientists, $90,140; and sociologists, $60,290. In the Federal Government, social scientists with a bachelor’s degree and no experience often started at a yearly salary of $28,862 or $35,572 in 2007, depending on their college records. Those with a master’s degree could start at $43,731, and those with a Ph.D. degree could begin at $52,912, while some individuals with experience and an advanced degree could start at $63,417. Beginning salaries were higher in selected areas of the country where the prevailing local pay level was higher. The higher degree that you have, the better chance you have of getting a job.

__ **Recommended Education/ Training** __ Graduates with master’s degrees in applied specialties usually are qualified for positions outside of colleges and universities, although requirements vary by field. A Ph.D. degree may be required for higher-level positions. Bachelor’s degree holders have limited opportunities and do not qualify for most of the occupations discussed above. A bachelor’s degree does, however, provide a suitable background for many different kinds of entry-level jobs in related occupations, such as research assistant, writer, management trainee, or market analyst. Training in statistics and mathematics is essential for many social scientists Geographers, political scientists, and those in other fields increasingly use mathematical and quantitative research methods. The ability to use computers for research purposes is mandatory in most disciplines. Social scientists also must keep up-to date on the latest technological advances that affect their discipline and research. For example, most geographers use GIS technology extensively, and GIS is also becoming more commonly used by archaeologists, sociologists, and other workers. Many social science students also benefit from internships or field experience. Numerous local museums, historical societies, government agencies, non-profit and other organizations offer internships or volunteer research opportunities. Archaeological field schools instruct future anthropologists, archaeologists, and historians in how to excavate, record, and interpret historical sites.

__**Other qualifications...**__ Social scientists need excellent written and oral communication skills to report research findings and to collaborate on research. Successful social scientists also need intellectual curiosity and creativity because they constantly seek new information about people, things, and ideas. The ability to think logically and methodically is also essential to analyze complicated issues, such as the relative merits of various forms of government. Objectivity, an open mind, and systematic work habits are important in all kinds of social science research. Perseverance, too, is often necessary, as when an anthropologist spends years studying artifacts from an ancient civilization before making a final analysis and interpretation.

**__To advance in this field...__** Some social scientists advance to top-level research and administrative positions. Advancement often depends on the number and quality of reports that social scientists publish or their ability to design studies. Many social scientists choose to teach in their field, often while pursuing their own research. These workers are usually classified as postsecondary teachers. The minimum requirement for most positions in colleges and universities is a Ph.D. degree. Graduates with a master’s degree in a social science may qualify for teaching positions in community colleges. Social science graduates with sufficient education courses can qualify for teaching positions in secondary and elementary schools.

** __Bibliography__ ** 1) "Social Scientist, Other." __Bureau Of Labor Statistics__. 18 Dec. 2007. U.S Department Of Labor. 30 Mar. 2009. 2) "What personality traits are needed to be an anthropologist?" __WikiAnswers__. 31 Mar. 2009 . 3) Tangata, KaimÄtai T. "Anthropologist-Job Outlook." __Career Services__. Aug. 2008. Career Services-New Zealand. 31 Mar. 2009 . 4) "Anthropologists and Archeologists." __Career One Stop__. 1 Apr. 2009 <http://www.careerinfonet.org/acinet/occ_rep.asp?nodeid=2&optstatus=000110111&next=occ_rep&jobfam=19&soccode=193091&stfips=&level=&id=1&ES=Y&EST=anthropologist **__Picture Bibliography__** 1) __ www.southtexascollege.edu __ 2) __www.__ __dentalanthropology.net__ 3)  __www.vanderbilt.edu__ 4) __www.anthropology.net__ 5) __www.wadsworth.com/.../ images/map_final.jpg__ 6) __www.butler.edu__ 7) __www.hemisphericinstitute.org__ 8)  __www.millsaps.edu__