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First, some facts. Of the Cultural Anthropology graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 129 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 44%, Cultural Anthropology graduates have a substantially lower likelihood (-23%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 45% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Cultural Anthropology graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 39% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Cultural Anthropology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCountry Director HELP International Jan 2012 - Dec 2012 Country Director HELP International Nov 2014 - Oct 2015 Strategist  Field Innovation Team Dec 2015 - Sep 2016 Romney Institute of Public Management - Graduate Research Assistant  Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business Jun 2016 - Apr 2017 Program Officer - Graduate Consultant Grantwell Aug 2016 - Apr 2017 Performance Auditor Maricopa County May 2017 - May 2018 Performance Auditor Salt Lake County Jun 2018 - Sep 2018 Program Evaluation Researcher The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sep 2018 - Aug 2023 Principle Research Advisor The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Aug 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Public Administration - MPABrigham Young University - Marriott School of Management 2015 - 2017 ABOUTI am passionate about helping individuals and organizations design, implement, monitor, evaluate, and improve projects for change they would like to see in their communities. I believe that community empowerment can effectively fight cycles of poverty and violence. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the career paths of individuals with degrees in Cultural Anthropology, it's interesting to note the variety of roles they have taken on after graduation. The jobs span different fields, including marketing, education, community service, health, and various administrative roles, showing that there are many ways to apply the skills learned through a Cultural Anthropology degree. The most common types of jobs these graduates have taken seem to fall into categories such as education, community engagement, and roles that require understanding of cultural contexts, whether directly or indirectly. Jobs in health services also frequently emerge, where understanding diverse cultural backgrounds is crucial for effective practice.
However, the relevance of these jobs to Cultural Anthropology can be quite mixed. Many positions, especially those in retail, customer service, or administrative roles, do not require a strong foundation in the principles or methods of cultural anthropology. For instance, jobs like "Sales Manager" or "Customer Service Representative" often focus on skills like sales and operational tasks, which may only tangentially benefit from anthropological insights into customer behavior. Conversely, roles like "Community Engagement Coordinator" or "Mental Health Worker" directly utilize knowledge of cultural dynamics and community structures, demonstrating a more direct application of an anthropology background. Other roles like "Research Assistant" or "Intern at cultural institutions" also have a close connection to the field, highlighting the anthropological methods in various contexts.
In conclusion, while many jobs taken up by Cultural Anthropology graduates do engage with cultural dynamics in some way, not all are directly relevant or require specialized knowledge from their degree. The career landscape indicates that while anthropology graduates may excel in roles that contribute to understanding and engaging with diverse communities, they also frequently find themselves in roles that do not leverage their specialized training to its full potential. There’s absolutely a need for those anthropological skills in society, but leveraging those skills in the job market can sometimes be a challenge.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Cultural Anthropology graduates:
When analyzing the career trajectories of Cultural Anthropology graduates from various universities, it becomes apparent that their paths can be highly variable. For many of these individuals, their first job after graduation often involves work that is either loosely connected to their field of study or completely unrelated. For instance, some graduates took up roles in sales, customer service, or teaching positions that may not directly utilize the skills and knowledge gained during their studies in Cultural Anthropology. This trend suggests that while the foundational concepts of cultural understanding might find applications in diverse fields, many graduates struggle to land positions that align closely with their academic training right out of college.
Looking at the longer-term trajectories, however, reveals a more complex picture. Over 5 to 10 years, some graduates appear to find their footing and transition into more relevant roles. For example, individuals have moved into positions such as museum technician, research coordinator, or program manager, all of which allow them to draw on their understanding of cultures and societies. This shift indicates that while initial jobs may not reflect their degree, there seems to be a pattern of gradual advancement into positions that utilize their anthropology background. Yet, it is also clear that several graduates remain in roles that are still quite unrelated to Cultural Anthropology, such as customer service, administrative roles, or in entirely different fields like health care and primary education.
Overall, the data suggests that while there are successful outliers who leverage their education into fulfilling careers that align with Cultural Anthropology, many graduates find themselves in a challenging job market that may compel them to take what they can get initially. With time, some are able to translate their educational experiences into more relevant roles; however, a significant number still pursue paths that are quite different from the disciplines they studied. This reality is important for prospective students to consider as they weigh their options for majors and careers.
Honestly, a Bachelor degree in Cultural Anthropology can be a mix of challenging and manageable, depending on your interests and strengths. If you enjoy exploring different cultures, engaging with diverse perspectives, and diving into research, you might find it more on the easier side. However, you’ll have to read a lot and write some pretty hefty papers, which can be a pain if essays aren't your thing. It's definitely not the easiest degree out there, but it’s also not the hardest; it really comes down to how passionate you are about the subject. So, if you're curious about people and societies, you might just sail through it with a good dose of curiosity and effort!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Cultural Anthropology.
Looking at these LinkedIn profiles, it seems like some of these Cultural Anthropology graduates have done pretty well for themselves, while others are still figuring it out. For example, the UCLA graduate who’s now a CEO seems to be in a lucrative position, especially having held various high-level roles. On the other hand, many others have positions like teaching, customer service, and administrative roles, which typically don’t pay as well. It’s a mixed bag overall. Some are definitely making decent money, especially those in leadership or specialized roles, while others are in fields that generally offer lower salaries.
In terms of stability, it looks like some have found good career paths, whereas others are bouncing around between entry-level positions or internships, like those who’ve been working freelance or in temporary roles. If you're considering a career in this field, it might be valuable to think about how to leverage your anthropology background into roles that pay well. Networking and seeking internships or mentorships in more lucrative sectors could really help out. So, there’s potential to earn well, but it really depends on the career choices people make after graduation.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Cultural Anthropology. This may or may not be useful:
