"The purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences."
-Ruth Benedict
Anthropology studies comprehensively about the culture, human development and past and present changes around the world. It points out our distinctiveness as a species and throws better light at our shared humanity and diversity.
Furthermore, the field is also the study of the biological and physiological characteristics of humans. Dive in to learn more about this interesting field and carve out a career in it.
Role of an Anthropologist:
An Anthropologist carries out several important roles and responsibilities. A few of those duties are given below:
- Learn about the tradition, language and beliefs of human races.
- Conduct research on the social and cultural development of human beings.
- Study about fossils to research on the evolution of human beings.
- Study archaeological objects to determine the age and history of human races.
- Learn about the biological development and origin of human races.
How to Become an Anthropologist?
The steps to becoming an Anthropologist are given below.
- Complete 10+2 in any stream from a recognized institute in India.
- Pursue a Bachelor's degree course, i.e. Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Anthropology.
- Pursue a Master's degree course, i.e. Master of Arts (MA) in Anthropology.
Branches of Anthropology:
Anthropology is a vast field of study that has never stopped intriguing us. It can be further subdivided into 4 main disciplines where some aspects might overlap but each branch uses a different technique.
The four branches of Anthropology are given below:
- Cultural Anthropology: Cultural Anthropologists try to understand how people from different backgrounds live and perceive the world around them. They try to understand what people perceive as important and how people make rules about their interactions with each other.
- Biological Anthropology: This diverse branch of anthropology seeks to understand how humans try to adapt to different environments, the cause of early death and diseases in humans and the manner through which they evolved from other animals.
- Linguistic Anthropology: This branch of Anthropology studies how people communicate across cultures and areas. It helps to understand how languages allow us to link to each other and how it affects the way we see the world.
- Archaeological Anthropology: Archaeologists analyse the objects people made to study human culture. They try to find out about people's daily lives by analysing places like burial grounds, houses, and trash pits.
Skills Required to be an Anthropologist:
A career in Anthropology requires a certain skill set. Mastering those skills can help the students climb the career ladder quickly.
A few of those skills include:
- Writing Skills
- Analytical Skills
- Physical Stamina
- Communication Skills
- Perseverance
Importance of Anthropology Courses:
Anthropology studies the aspects of human existence and its possibilities. It opens a window to the unknown, answering questions about ourselves and our past, present and future.
Studying what makes us human, Anthropology delves into different cultures of human races and their impact on society. It looks into the interconnectedness and interdependence of human experiences everywhere.
The insight gained from studying Anthropology will help gain a better perspective about the cultures and choices of people. In addition, it describes how society plays a vital role in shaping how you live.
Top Anthropology Colleges in India:
Studying in a top college can increase your chances of building a stronger career in Anthropology.
The list of the top Anthropology colleges in India is given below.
- University of Mysore, Mysore
- Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya, Indore
- Karnatak University, Dharwad
- Andhra University, Visakhapatnam
- Panjab University, Chandigarh
- Maharaja's College, Mysore
- Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur
Career Opportunities for Anthropologists:
Now that you know about the best Anthropology colleges, you might want to learn about different Anthropology career options. Many opportunities are available for candidates after graduating from Anthropology colleges.
Some of the most popular career choices in Anthropology are:
- Anthropologist
- Economic Anthropologist
- Scientist
- Business Anthropologist
- Consultant
- Medical Researcher
- Field Investigator
- Education Anthropologist
A career in Anthropology can take you to diverse sectors with a scope for numerous opportunities. Following are those sectors:
- Education Sector
- Advertising and Market Research
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Art Galleries, Publishing Houses, and Museums
- Criminal Investigation Department
- Entertainment Industry
Anthropologist Salary in India:
After learning about different Anthropology career options, you might be wondering about how much an Anthropologist gets paid.
Anthropologists are always in high demand due to the fewer number of experts in it. Anthropologist salary in India varies depending on the experience of the candidate.
| Experience Level | Salary in Rupees (PA) |
| 0 to 3 Years | 2,50,000 to 4,00,000 |
| 3 to 6 Years | 4,00,000 to 6,00,000 |
| More than 6 Years | 6,00,000 to 8,00,000 |
Conclusion:
Anthropology is a fascinating field that studies all aspects of humanity. It teaches about the complications and differences among humans in biological, historical, linguistic and cultural aspects.
A career in Anthropology is ideal for someone who wants to explore how human culture evolved throughout the years and is an excellent pathway that leads to a rewarding future.
