How to Become a Anthropologist

About Anthropologist

Anthropologists usually entail studies of different societies' social and political organisation, marriage patterns and customs, basic necessities and economic patterns, and religious beliefs. They conduct research on topics such as the physiology of speech, the structure and operation of languages, social and cultural influences on speech and writing, nonverbal communication, how language evolves over time, and how they differ from one another. Anthropologists study the prehistory and history of societies and cultures. Anthropologists are the people who study different aspects of human experience. They make use of history and archaeology to study how human groups lived hundred and thousand years ago and what was important in those ages. They conduct research and study about what makes up our genes, biological bodies, bones and health. Apart from this, anthropologists also compare humans with other animals like monkeys and chimpanzees to see what we have in common with them and what makes human unique.

Roles and Responsibilities of an Anthropologist

Anthropologists conduct extensive research on genetic traits to better understand human evolution in areas such as culture, language, social behaviour, eating habits, literature, arts, and music. They provide answers to questions like how humans adapt to environmental changes and how humans evolved from animals. Because there are many areas of anthropology, each work differs within its domain based on the requirements.

• Process Development

Individuals who choose a career as an anthropologist must conduct extensive research on their process in order to discover specific artifacts or other physical evidence. They are responsible for developing various processes and trying to diagnose methodologies during the research and findings process in order to excel the scope of anthropology for the specific section. Developing is an important part of their job roles and responsibilities, whether it's developing methodologies, procedures, samples, or anything else

• Research

One of the most important aspects of their job is researching the project they are working on. Individuals who choose a career as an anthropologist must constantly study and stay current at all stages of the project. They are in charge of researching the project, its scope in human development, limitations, the project's efficiency, and the project's consequences. From start to finish, they must analyse every aspect of the research and ensure that the resources used in the project are optimised to the greatest extent possible

• Training

Another key job responsibility of an anthropologist involves teaching and guiding the students with their best interests and research around anthropology. Various anthropologists work as professors in universities, providing students with in-depth experience and understanding of anthropology as a subject, as well as advancing its application in career development. They also instruct and train students who want to be anthropologists. Anthropology professors teach courses in linguistics, physical anthropology, archaeological anthropology, and cultural anthropology

• Consultation

To fulfill certain requirements of the project they're working on, anthropologists must consult with other professionals, including other anthropologists. For instance, several research scientists involved in the same project as the biological anthropologists must be met and consulted. To obtain in-depth knowledge about the history or evolution of a specific language for a specific section of the society, linguistic anthropologists are obligated to speak with translators, language experts, and professors. People who choose to become anthropologists must also communicate with those who specialise in physical anthropology, linguistics, and archaeology

• Releasing

Researching and studying their projects is one thing, but if the work is not published, it is of no use. Publishing is a crucial component of anthropological research and study. The task of publishing anthropologists' research and work for anthropology and its many subfields, including biology, culture, linguistics, and archaeology, is their responsibility

Eligibility to become Anthropologist

To become an anthropologists candidate must have passed class 12th or equivalent examination with science/ arts stream. However, it is advised that the candidates should take up science stream as most of the colleges in India offer B.Sc in Anthropology and it involves a lot of science-oriented subjects.

Subject Combination - Any

Eligibility -

• Candidate must have passed class 12th or equivalent examination from a recognised board with a minimum aggregate of 75%. However, the minimum aggregate rules vary from category to category.
• Few colleges also follow age criteria.

Steps to become an Anthropologist

Step 1: Completing 10 + 2

After completing their 10+2 education, students must understand how to pursue a career in anthropology in India. Here, we'll outline a few steps you can take to become an anthropologist after high school. The students must successfully complete their 10+2 exams with an overall grade of 50% or an equivalent from an acknowledged board. 

Step 2: Entrance Exam

The following are some crucial steps to understanding how to become an anthropologist. Entrance exams are administered by a number of universities and colleges to determine admission. To be enrolled in the appropriate colleges and universities, students must take entrance exams. Based on a student's performance on the entrance exam, admission is granted. Other colleges and universities offer admission based on a cut-off percentage for the 10+2 subject. The most commonly taken entrance exams are listed below.

Popular Entrance Examinations 

Step 3: Pursuing Bachelor

Various universities across the country offer admission to bachelor's programmes through a variety of courses. Students must meet the eligibility requirements of the universities to which they wish to apply. The popular bachelor's degree programmes in anthropology offered in India are listed below.

Courses for Undergraduate Anthropologists in Majors

Step 4: Pursuing Post Graduation

Students can choose from a variety of career paths after earning a bachelor's degree. The two well-liked options that will make it simple for you to launch your desired career are listed below.

Option 1: Candidates who have completed a bachelor's degree programme may continue on to a master's degree programme without taking a break from the academic year. They can begin working in the sector in an entry-level position after completing a master's degree programme in the relevant specialisation.

Option 2: The candidates may begin employment in the industry in an entry-level position following successful completion of a bachelor's degree programme. He or she can further choose to enrol in a master's degree programme after gaining experience through one or two years of employment in the industry.

Popular Anthropologist Masters Course List

Step 5: Programme for Doctorates

After earning a master's degree in the related field, one must pursue an MPhil in order to work in academia or teach the related subjects in colleges. A candidate needs to have a PhD in the field if they want to work with international development organisations.

Types of Job Roles Anthropologist

Anthropologists do different types of research in the field and find the right job according to their career interest and experience. Listed below are some of the popular anthropologist job profiles:

Anthropologists:  Their job role is to study the origin, physical, social and cultural development behaviour of mankind.

Scientists:  Many anthropologists work as scientists in the R&D development of different organisations and their departments.

Education/Academic Anthropologists:  Academic anthropologists work as professors/ teachers in higher educational institutions and universities. Their job role is to teach various modules of anthropology. Some Anthropology professors specialize in a particular subject of anthropology and they are the ones who teach either at masters or doctoral level.

Field Investigator: Their job role is to perform research and surveillance for a corporation or individual clients. A field investigator performs various interviews and observes a given situation to determine the nature of the events for a client.

Economic Anthropologists: They tend to research and explain the human economic behaviour and study how human societies provide goods and services that make life possible. The need for economic anthropologists is growing day by day due to the globalisation of the world economy.

Medical Researcher: Medical researchers help develop new medical breakthroughs that will benefit human society by studying the different aspects of humans and human behaviour. Their job involves a great deal of research and performing clinical trials.

Employment Opportunities for Anthropologists

Anthropologists can be found in a surprising array of fields and careers. Anthropologists can be found in all levels of government, educational institutions etc. Listed below are some of the popular employment opportunities for anthropologists:

• Educational Institutions/Universities
• Healthcare Services
• Tourism/Heritage
• Government Sector
• Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs)
• Community Development
• Law/Criminal Justice
• Administration Management
• International Development/Affairs
• NGOs
• Environment Organizations
• Private and Business Agency

Top Recruiting Companies for Anthropologists

Top companies that recruit anthropologists are as follows:

• WHO
• UNICEF
• UNESCO

Skills Required to Become an Anthropologist

The first thing they should know about how to become an anthropologist is the skills required to become an anthropologist. Some of the necessary skills are listed below.

• Curiosity: One of the most important skills required for candidates to excel as anthropologists is curiosity. From socio-cultural factors to economic and biological factors, various segments of human society contribute to the evolution of human races. To understand and conquer the research in the relevant field, archivists must be curious enough to know and understand a certain factor responsible for human development. To understand different cultures and diversity, one must be curious
• Imagination: Anthropologists need to have a broad understanding of the mysterious world of variation. People who choose to become anthropologists must conduct a variety of research on a wide range of anthropological topics. A broad outlook is necessary for anthropology careers in order to guarantee the effectiveness of the project and the various industries its scope works on. To decide whether to pursue a particular project or not, they must be able to envision the various outcomes that are possible for it
• Communication Skills: Strong communication skills are expected of people who choose to pursue a career in anthropology because their primary goal is to study the human race and share their viewpoint with the world. To succeed in an anthropology career, one must conduct research and finish projects. They need to speak with and consult with a variety of experts from different fields, including scientists, librarians, professors, and many others, in order to effectively complete their research and study. As a result, effective communication is now a requirement for research
• Knowledge Thirst: The company will be able to adapt to updates and improvements more quickly than its rivals thanks to its thirst for knowledge. One should compare cultures and keep up with current global issues that are relevant to how people live their daily lives in various locations. One should also be familiar with members of various communities to facilitate research on them
• Persistent: Being persistent is a requirement for anthropologists in the pursuit of their current research projects. A project's time and resource requirements can be roughly estimated, but they are still unknown. Many projects require significantly more time and resources than anticipated. Anthropologists must be persistent and patient in order to properly conduct their research in circumstances like these

Pay Scale/Salary of Anthropologist

Since the nature of job prospects is very diverse, the salary of an anthropologist can vary tremendously. The initial salary package in the field of anthropology may not be very lucrative as compared to other professions. The salary package and incentives go on increasing as per a candidate's experience in the industry.

Note: The above figures are an estimate and may vary from individual to individual and company to company.

Career Path for Anthropologist 

For anthropologists in the nation, both at the federal and state levels, there is the Anthropological Survey of India. Anthropologists are employed by a large number of government research institutions in India. Additionally, one has the option of joining groups like WHO, UNESCO, and UNICEF. Individuals may also consider starting their careers in industries like art galleries, curators, publishing houses, NGOs, archives, museums, libraries, and many others. It is anticipated that the number of these non-academic jobs will continue to increase. 

Teachers and researchers are the two occupations that anthropologists hold most frequently. Anthropologists are employed for research by government agencies like the Archaeological Survey of India, the Planning Commission, and international organisations like the United Nations, UNESCO, or UNICEF. Candidates begin their anthropology careers as soon as they enrol in college. Many universities and colleges give students the chance to collaborate on research projects with their professors as research assistants. In comparison to other professions, the employment of anthropologists is anticipated to be average. 

Following is a list of the most popular career paths:

Research Intern: To learn the fundamentals and gain experience in the field, one can work as a research intern for a senior anthropologist or professor. Interns' daily tasks include gathering data as needed, analysing and studying the data, and then identifying a solution or overarching pattern for the issue.

Associate Professor: Students who are studying anthropology are taught and trained by assistant professors. They work in universities and research the subject's academics. Some people have contract jobs, while others have permanent employment. They are in charge of imparting knowledge on a fundamental level and preparing students to become accomplished anthropologists.

Analysis Intern: Data analysis trainees begin their careers in anthropology while working as research interns, either under a professor or an independent anthropologist, because anthropology is a field of in-depth research with relevance to society and humanity, at both a collective and individual level.

Books & Study Material to Become Anthropologist

Candidates who are planning to take up anthropology at a degree level must have adequate knowledge about the respective field as it is a vast subject encompassing elements of other disciplines and different methodologies. There are thousands of books in this field. But a big question is where to begin from? Compiled below are some of the relevant and popular anthropological reads:

• Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault
• Anthropology and the Colonial Encounter by Talal Asad
• Beyond Culture by Edward T. Hall
• The Gift: Forms and Functions of Exchange in Archaic Society
• How to Read Ethnography by Huon Wardle and Paloma Gay Blasco

Pros of becoming a Anthropologist

• Anthropologists have a high pay potential as their work varies greatly based on the type of position, employment and experience.
• It is a very stable field and anthropologists can find jobs in almost all the fields. They can work for private agencies, corporate sectors, businesses, individual clients and others.
• The job of anthropologists is very satisfying as their goal is to understand different people and cultures.
• It is one of those careers where you can explore and find ways to fit the pieces together.

Cons of becoming a Anthropologist

• While anthropologists often enjoy opportunities for fieldwork and exploring archaeology findings, the travel can get exhausting and tiring. You may spend months in a remote location with little communication access to home and it may take time to get habitual to the environmental locations.
• Anthropology requires one to undertake complex research projects and one may spend several months/years on a single project which can be very frustrating at times.
• One has to truly commit to this profession if they want to make a relevant contribution in the field of anthropology.