Anthropology : Your skills

Anthropology is a broad-based discipline that develops a wide range of skills, knowledge and understanding in its graduates. It has been described as the most scientific of the humanities and the most humanistic of the sciences.

As well as detailed subject knowledge, which varies according to the biological or social focus of your degree, your anthropology degree equips you with a set of analytical skills that may be applied to many different jobs. You are likely to gain the following general skills from your programme of study:

• learning and study skills;
• written communication;
• analytical and critical skills;
• ability to gather, assess and interpret data;
• oral communication and presentation skills;
• time management;
• discussion and group work skills;
• statistical and computing techniques;
• high level of cultural awareness;
• clear, logical and independent thinking;
• organising and planning;
• problem-solving;
• constructing an argument.

In addition, you may be able to offer subject-specific knowledge and skills according to the content of your degree programme, such as genetic and biological traits, globalisation and society, an understanding of how cultures function in a multicultural world, what they have in common and the importance of language and power.

Consider the skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile. Take a look at job application advice for some useful tips.