It is time to rethink what it means to be an anthropologist. While academic teaching is still the assumed goal for PhD anthropologists, the vast majority of us will not follow this traditional path.
Despite the changing landscape, misinformation abounds about alternative career paths. This ambiguity around what it’s really like to work outside of academia puts students and potential career changers at a disadvantage, as they often struggle to gain a clear understanding of their options.
I think about these topics a lot, as an anthropologist who has built a career as a writer and researcher in the tech sector. I spend my days examining what work itself means for people on the ground, typically for employees in large corporate settings. I seek to understand what makes them excited or nervous, how their workplaces impact their personal experiences, and what they envision for their future career paths. How might I turn a similar lens on academic anthropology?
In this article, I unpack some of the biggest myths about working outside of academia. While some of these reflect my own experiences and observations, many came from fellow former academics who are now working in industry roles. By digging into these misconceptions, I will provide a clearer view of what life is like on the ground for applied anthropologists in industry—and the reality might surprise you.
Myth: Applied careers are less fulfilling and stimulating
When I started my first industry role, I was genuinely shocked to realize that corporate settings were incredibly rich spaces for inquiry and analysis. I was in a company focused on the job market and hiring, and my role was to study one of the core aspects of any society: work. It was perfect for an anthropologist, yet nothing like this had been on my radar.
I threw myself into identifying trends and phenomena related to the labor market and workers’ experiences. At the same time, I also used my academic training to suspend my own preconceptions and instead learn how my new work culture operated. From focusing on tech jargon and dress norms to power dynamics, I approached every day ethnographically. I still apply this mindset to my work and it continues to reveal new insights.
Myth: Academics won’t find a community in industry
Another pervasive myth is that the smartest and most interesting people work in academia. To be clear: this is not true. Industry roles attract individuals from extremely diverse backgrounds, training, and experience. This is by design.
As the history of innovation shows us, new ideas catalyze when people from different backgrounds come together. As an applied anthropologist, you bring your unique training and experience to a space where others likely have different perspectives—and this creates teams that are greater than the sum of their parts.
For this reason, I have found rich intellectual communities in corporate spaces. I have worked with too many talented writers and former journalists to count, as well as policy experts, economists, actors, musicians, and PhDs from a variety of disciplines.
Myth: Work schedules outside of academia are too rigid
Before I moved into industry, I assumed work outside of academia would necessitate a traditional desk job with limited paid time off (PTO).
One of the first things I learned in tech was that I was not expected to be always-on, something I grew accustomed to in academia. No one tracked my moves to see if I arrived right at 9:00am or stayed until 5:00pm. The expectation was clear: I was to complete my projects well and on time, and in return I would be trusted.
Time off is another important component of flexibility. In my industry, unlimited PTO is very common and I have not had to accrue vacation days or document hours spent at medical appointments in years.
Myth: Corporate work is selling out
This myth is a big one and I want to dispel any doubt: anthropologists should not feel guilty or be shamed for prioritizing their financial stability. I will add that, for many of us, graduate school was a time of lean stipends and grants. An industry role afterward can make up for those years of lost income and investing.
It is important to understand, too, that compensation encompasses more than salary. Retirement matching, company stocks, and insurance benefits are important components, but there is often more to the story. Employees often have access to professional development funding, which can pay for classes, workshops, or conferences. And these investments in growing one’s skills and network can pay dividends down the road.
Let go of myths and embrace an uncertain path forward
No one can predict the future, but I can say with certainty that a career pivot can take time and it is never too early to lay the groundwork. I believed this a decade ago and still do today. Indeed, given the current job market I would say that building an informed, accurate understanding of potential options is even more crucial now. This does not need to be a heavy lift. Indeed, by reading this article and similar content you have already kicked off the process!
While academic mythology could fill a book, I have addressed some of the most widespread misconceptions here. Letting go of these myths is an important first step in exploring alternative career paths and there is no need to wait. One of the biggest mistakes I see is scholars waiting until exhausting their academic job options before beginning to explore alternatives. This is a recipe for stress and burnout.
Instead, think about how these and other myths have shaped your own thinking about what it means to be an anthropologist—and don’t let misinformation stand in your way.
The post How can reframing applied work broaden anthropologist’s professional possibilities? appeared first on The Anthropology Career Readiness Network.