How to Be Cultural Anthropologist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 14, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Cultural anthropologists study how people interact with each other and their environment in order to understand the complexity of human behavior. This field of study examines how cultural practices, beliefs, and values shape individuals lives and how societies develop over time. By examining the past and present, cultural anthropologists are able to gain insights into how cultural practices can influence the future.

For example, by understanding the effects of colonialism, cultural anthropologists have been able to help indigenous communities reclaim their identities and advocate for their rights. cultural anthropologists have also been able to identify and challenge harmful stereotypes that can have detrimental effects on minority groups. Through their research, cultural anthropologists have been able to create a more equitable and tolerant society.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. In order to become a cultural anthropologist, students must first earn a bachelors degree in anthropology or a related field such as sociology. During the course of their studies, students are likely to take courses in cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and physical anthropology.
Participate in an Internship. During the course of their studies, it is beneficial for aspiring cultural anthropologists to participate in an internship. This will give them valuable hands-on experience working in the field and can help them gain contacts and references for future job opportunities.
Earn a Masters Degree. Most employers prefer that candidates have a masters degree in anthropology or a related field. During the course of their studies, students might specialize in a certain area such as medical anthropology or urban anthropology.
Pursue Doctoral Degree (Optional). For those interested in teaching at the university level or conducting research, earning a doctoral degree is necessary. The course of study typically includes more advanced classes in cultural anthropology, as well as seminars and independent research.
Find Employment. After completing the educational requirements, aspiring cultural anthropologists should look for job opportunities. Those with masters degrees can work in universities and research organizations, while those with doctoral degrees are more likely to find employment in universities.

Cultural anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures, focusing on how people interact with each other and their environment. This type of research is important to understand the impact of cultural elements on individuals and societies. For example, examining gender roles in a certain culture can provide insight into how women and men interact, as well as the expectations of each gender.

understanding cultural practices can help inform public policy, as well as international relations. In order to be an ideal and qualified cultural anthropologist, one must possess strong research skills, be able to think critically, and have a deep understanding of different cultures and their nuances. Furthermore, cultural anthropologists must also be able to collaborate with people from various backgrounds in order to understand the complexities of a given culture.

the goal of a cultural anthropologist is to gain a greater understanding of human societies, which can lead to improved social justice and equality.

You may want to check Socio-Cultural Anthropologist, Ethnoarchaeologist, and Maritime Anthropologist for alternative.

Job Description

Researching and evaluating aspects of human culture, including social, economic, political and religious practices
Analyzing data from sources such as interviews, field notes, archives and published material
Developing theories about culture and its evolution based on research findings
Working with people from different cultures to understand their beliefs, customs and values
Documenting cultural research findings in publications and reports
Advising on cultural issues related to development, conflict resolution and globalization
Teaching anthropology courses at universities and other institutions
Applying anthropological theories to current social and political issues
Working with other professionals such as psychologists and sociologists to develop interdisciplinary research
Participating in archaeological excavations to gain further insight into ancient cultures

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of cultural processes and systems
Ability to interpret and analyze data from cross-cultural studies
Knowledge of various anthropological methods
Ability to conduct fieldwork in a variety of contexts
Understanding of the relationship between culture and society
Ability to apply theoretical frameworks to anthropological research
Knowledge of different cultural practices, beliefs, and values
Ability to interpret and evaluate cultural artifacts
Understanding of the political and economic implications of culture
Knowledge of cross-cultural communication strategies and techniques

Cultural anthropologists need to have a variety of skills in order to be successful in their field. One of the most important skills is the ability to observe and analyze behavior, both in terms of its structure and its meaning. Cultural anthropologists must be able to observe and understand how individuals interact within a group or culture, and how these behaviors are shaped by the culture.

They must also be able to identify and analyze social norms and values, as well as recognize the ways in which people use language and symbols to communicate. cultural anthropologists need to be able to use quantitative methods such as surveys, questionnaires, and interviews to collect data. Finally, cultural anthropologists must be able to draw conclusions from their observations and data analysis, and communicate their findings in clear and concise ways.

Having these skills allows cultural anthropologists to study the different aspects of a culture and its people, and to gain a better understanding of how different cultures interact with each other.

Archaeologist, Primatologist, and Kinship Anthropologist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How have you applied your research in anthropology to real-world situations?
What techniques do you use to stay current on cultural trends and movements?
How have you incorporated technology into your research?
How have you developed and maintained relationships with different cultures?
What strategies do you use to ensure accuracy in your research findings?
What are the ethical considerations when conducting research in different cultures?
Describe a project or research experience that has been particularly meaningful for you.
How do you balance the need for accuracy and objectivity when conducting research?
How do you approach analyzing data from different cultural backgrounds?
How have you used your skills as an anthropologist to make a positive impact on societies?

Common Tools in Industry

Qualitative Research Software. Software designed to assist with qualitative research, such as data analysis and coding. (Eg: NVivo, MAXQDA)
Survey Software. Software used to create online surveys for collecting data from a large population. (Eg: SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Computerized mapping tools used to visualize and analyze geographic data. (Eg: ArcGIS, QGIS)
Statistical Analysis Software. Statistical software used to analyze data and generate visualizations. (Eg: SPSS, Stata)
Database Management Software. Software used to store, organize and manage data. (Eg: MySQL, MongoDB)
Text Analysis Software. Software used to analyze text-based data. (Eg: Leximancer, WordStat)
Video Editing Software. Software used to edit and manipulate digital video files. (Eg: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro)
Audio Editing Software. Software used to edit and manipulate digital audio files. (Eg: Pro Tools, Audacity)
Image Editing Software. Software used to edit and manipulate digital image files. (Eg: Photoshop, GIMP)
Social Media Analytics Software. Software used to collect and analyze data from social media platforms. (Eg: Hootsuite, Sprout Social)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Anthropological Association (AAA)
Society for Applied Anthropology (SfAA)
Association of Social and Cultural Anthropology in the United Kingdom (ASCA UK)
Association for Feminist Anthropology (AFA)
European Association of Social Anthropologists (EASA)
International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (IUAES)
Society for Cultural Anthropology (SCA)
Society of Ethnobiology (SEB)
Society for Humanistic Anthropology (SHA)
World Council of Anthropological Associations (WCAA)

We also have Applied Anthropologist, Evolutionary Anthropologist, and Ecological Anthropologist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Ethnography. A method of research used by cultural anthropologists which involves living among a studied group of people for an extended period of time and observing, recording, and analyzing their behavior.
Ethnology. The comparative study of different cultures and their similarities and differences.
Cross-Cultural Comparison. The comparison of two or more cultures to identify and analyze similarities and differences.
Holism. The analysis of a culture as a whole system rather than a collection of isolated elements.
Participant Observation. A method of research whereby the researcher engages in the activities being studied in order to gain a better understanding of the topic.
Emic Perspective. The worldview of a particular cultural group, as opposed to an outsiders view which is called an etic perspective.
Etiquette. A set of rules and expectations governing behavior in various social situations.
Cultural Relativism. The principle that different cultures should be understood on their own terms and not judged from an outsider's perspective.
Reflexivity. The ability to critically assess one's own values and assumptions in order to gain a better understanding of the research topic.
Symbolic Anthropology. The study of symbolic systems, such as language, rituals, and other forms of communication in different cultures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cultural Anthropology?

Cultural Anthropology is a branch of anthropology that focuses on the study of human culture and societies in their various forms.

What methods do Cultural Anthropologists use?

Cultural Anthropologists use a range of methods, including fieldwork, participant observation, interviews and surveys, to study and understand different cultures.

What kind of topics do Cultural Anthropologists study?

Cultural Anthropologists study a range of topics, such as kinship systems, gender roles, religious beliefs, language, communication, and economic organization.

What is the scope of Cultural Anthropology?

The scope of Cultural Anthropology is broad, since it deals with the study of all aspects of human culture and behavior around the world.

What is the importance of Cultural Anthropology?

Cultural Anthropology provides valuable insights into human behavior and cultural diversity, which can help us to better understand and appreciate different cultures. It can also be used to identify key cultural differences that can inform policy decisions and strategies.

Web Resources

Front Page | Cultural Anthropology culturalanthropology.duke.edu
Cultural Anthropology | Department of Anthropology anthropology.dartmouth.edu
What is Cultural Anthropology? | Cultural Anthropology culturalanthropology.duke.edu