What can be done with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology? Anthropology graduates, like their peers from other Liberal Arts fields, tend to be generalists with excellent critical-thinking skills. Sectors in which liberal arts graduates tend to find jobs include: private businesses and industry, government and non-governmental organizations, nonprofit organizations, and international agencies.

Anthropology Career FAQs

Anthropology graduates have used their bachelor's degree as a foundation to go into other related fields such as information research, documentary film making, environmental or social impact assessment, international development, medical and/or health-related jobs, law enforcement and forensics, international business, management, marketing, personnel, public relations, fundraising, teaching, bilingual education, translating and interpreting, park management and historic preservation.

In a 2013 survey of Oregon State University's anthropology undergraduate alumni,  88% of respondents said they had obtained work within one year of graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology. Among recent graduates, 52% said they went on to continue their education. Current positions held by a few of those surveyed are as follows:

Alumnus/a

Organization and Position

1

U.S. Forest Service, Interpretive Education

2

Cultural Resource Management, Historic and Prehistoric Survey, Excavation

3

Homeless Youth Center, Case Manager

4

International Education in the Middle East, Academic Advisor

5

Cultural Resources, Environmental Management and Compliance

6

State of Oregon, Archaeologist

7

Archaeology Technician

8

Archaeology Field Technician

9

State of Nevada, Senior Archaeologist

10

Archaeology Technician, Research Assistant

11

U.S. Forest Service, Archaeologist

12

Government of Japan, International Relations

13

University Professor, Ethnobotany and Conservation Biology

14

U.S. Department of Defense, Conflict Resolution, Afghanistan

15

Linguistics Expert

16

Laboratory Technician, Field School

17

Community College Instructor

18

Funeral Director

19

U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Archaeology Technician

20

High School Counselor

Get Going With Handshake

Explore employers and jobs, search and apply, make career advisor appointments and register for career events — all in ONE SPOT.

As an Oregon State student, you are automatically given a Handshake profile; all you have to do is fill out your experience and interests and it will recommend jobs for you. Plus, if you make your profile public, employers can contact you directly.

The more you do with Handshake, the more you’ll get out of it.

Michelle Strowbridge

College of Liberal Arts Career Advising & Appointments;

Michelle Strowbridge, M.S. | Assistant Director of Career Development

Bexell Hall 204 | 541-740-3573 | Michelle.Maller@oregonstate.edu

In-person, Zoom, or phone appointments can be scheduled through BeaverHub.

For 24/7 resources, visit the OSU Career Development Center 

For additional resources, visit OSU Alumni Association Career Engagement