5 answers
Cecelia
Student
5
Questions
Asked
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What did you wish you knew before starting out in this field?
#anthropology #urbanplanning #sustainability
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5 answers
Beatriz Dominguez Alemán
Cultural Anthropologist
1
Answer
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Updated
Beatriz’s Answer
Hello Cecilia,
I chose to study (social/cultural) anthropology for no particular reason other than I thought it would be a fun discipline. Honestly, I had no idea what I was getting into, and one of the on-going jokes is that not even anthropologists know what it is that they are doing!
But getting into the seriousness of what you should know before studying:
1. This career is for you if you are a very curious and/or critical person in life. Are you constantly questioning your society and life itself? If the answer is yes, you are going to get many answers to those tormenting questions you have had late at night (probably at 3-4am).
2. Anthropology is a career where you must read a lot. And when I say a lot, I mean PLENTY. If you do not enjoy reading, and believe you can't discipline yourself into reading, this career is not for you.
3. Are you willing to shatter your whole reality? Because anthropology will change your perspective in life, make you question every single action and moment of your existence. Anthropology is not for the close minded.
And lastly, I will cite Ernest Shackleton's newspaper advertisement for the Endurance journey to Antartica to sum up this career path:
"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success"
But, do I regret my choice? I will boldly answer with a "no". I believe that the work that we Anthropologists do is vital in so many areas and whoever chooses this path knows that without this discipline public policy, academic research and private enterprises would be lacking in so many ways.
Hope my words can help you in your life decision!
Get acquainted with some anthropologists like Margaret Meade, Claude Levi-Strauss, Ruth Benedict, Franz Boas
Check out some of the (countless) sub-disciplines that exist in Anthropology
See the different career paths that Anthropologists have and see if you can imagine yourself working as one
Join some Anthropology groups on social media and familiarize with you (maybe) future peers
I chose to study (social/cultural) anthropology for no particular reason other than I thought it would be a fun discipline. Honestly, I had no idea what I was getting into, and one of the on-going jokes is that not even anthropologists know what it is that they are doing!
But getting into the seriousness of what you should know before studying:
1. This career is for you if you are a very curious and/or critical person in life. Are you constantly questioning your society and life itself? If the answer is yes, you are going to get many answers to those tormenting questions you have had late at night (probably at 3-4am).
2. Anthropology is a career where you must read a lot. And when I say a lot, I mean PLENTY. If you do not enjoy reading, and believe you can't discipline yourself into reading, this career is not for you.
3. Are you willing to shatter your whole reality? Because anthropology will change your perspective in life, make you question every single action and moment of your existence. Anthropology is not for the close minded.
And lastly, I will cite Ernest Shackleton's newspaper advertisement for the Endurance journey to Antartica to sum up this career path:
"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success"
But, do I regret my choice? I will boldly answer with a "no". I believe that the work that we Anthropologists do is vital in so many areas and whoever chooses this path knows that without this discipline public policy, academic research and private enterprises would be lacking in so many ways.
Hope my words can help you in your life decision!
Beatriz recommends the following next steps:
Michael Ao
Specialist
6
Answers
Macau
Updated
Michael’s Answer
1. Before start out a new area, I would to suggest please review the Bachelor degree, or the professional you had been study before, take some time to research the career, such as the top 10 company development news or report.
2. Choose some teacher or mentor to ask the career information, analyse whether personal personality and ability are suitable for this industry.
3. Find you passion, why you want to choose this area? Interest? industry prospects? professional?
2. Choose some teacher or mentor to ask the career information, analyse whether personal personality and ability are suitable for this industry.
3. Find you passion, why you want to choose this area? Interest? industry prospects? professional?
Matt Fitzgerald
Cook
7
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Matt’s Answer
I wish I had gone more with my passion. I went into accounting at first bc I was goid at it. Been cooking about 5 years now n love it. I tell my son find your passion. You have to love what you do or you will get bored.
Kai Lei
Sales
1
Answer
Macau
Updated
Kai’s Answer
First of all, knowing your passion and interests would be the most important things. Get into the field you love can motivate you to purchase your goal all the time and focus on your original intention. Because there's time you might feel lost and don't know what should you do. And having faith in yourself and your passion would be really different at the first place.
Secondly, stay hungry, stay foolish. Be more curious before you step into a new world. I wish I could do more research about the situation and status of the field, maybe through related online forum, internship, courses etc.
Lastly, you can set some goals step by step to achieve gradually. This is really important for you to gain experience and build your self-confident. And lead you to the other level in the field.
Secondly, stay hungry, stay foolish. Be more curious before you step into a new world. I wish I could do more research about the situation and status of the field, maybe through related online forum, internship, courses etc.
Lastly, you can set some goals step by step to achieve gradually. This is really important for you to gain experience and build your self-confident. And lead you to the other level in the field.
Nathaniel Wander
anthropology/psychotherapy/writing
35
Answers
Portland, Oregon
Updated
Nathaniel’s Answer
Anthropology
1) What other jobs there were besides academic teaching and research
2) How important it was going to be to choose a mentor who was well-connected in the field
3) What other fields anthropologists could cross over into and how to cross over deliberately instead of backing in to joint work (anthropology + public health)
1) What other jobs there were besides academic teaching and research
2) How important it was going to be to choose a mentor who was well-connected in the field
3) What other fields anthropologists could cross over into and how to cross over deliberately instead of backing in to joint work (anthropology + public health)