Someone fascinated with social structures might consider studying anthropology or sociology. They have slightly different focuses, but each helps to explain human behavior and its impact on societies. Swarthmore College notes that besides studying how societies and cultures are ordered, sociologists and anthropologists also study how conflict and change occur. Understanding this can provide solutions to social problems. Because of their similar focuses, anthropology and sociology are frequently combined in one college or university department.
Fordham University defines sociology as the study of group life in terms of its characteristic changes, causes of actions and consequences of those actions. Sociology focuses on subjects such as contemporary urban and rural life, family patterns and relationships, social class, environment and communications, and can relate them to social movements and responses to occurrences such as disasters. Sociologists also can help to explain patterns of criminal behavior. While sociology keeps a contemporary focus on society, the American Anthropological Association says that anthropology has a broader outlook. The association says anthropology seeks to understand humankind from its very beginning to today, studying how people's behaviors change over time, and how people and cultures have both changed and stayed the same. For instance, anthropology could compare parenting in a primitive tribe in a undeveloped country with parenting in middle-class America.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual wage of anthropologists was $56,070 in May 2011. Meanwhile, the median annual wage of sociologists in May 2011 was $73,670. As in other professions, individual salaries vary according to factors such as organization, location, industry, experience. As of publication, according to Northern Kentucky University, the average starting salary for anthropology majors is between $36,000 and $37,000. For sociology majors, the National Association of Colleges and Employers reports a starting salary at $37,464.
Anthropologist Job Outlook
Both sociologists and anthropologists will have increased future employment prospects, but both fields will remain small. The BLS expects employment for anthropologists to grow 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, compared to a 14 percent growth rate average for all occupations. However, as a small field, the growth will produce only approximately 1,300 new jobs. The BLS points to the growing global marketplace as one driver of this growth, because more corporations will rely on anthropologists to help them understand increasingly diverse workforces and markets. Much of the field's research depends on federal budget dollars, so federal funding will also affect job opportunities. Anthropologists with Ph.D.s and extensive fieldwork will likely have the best employment opportunities.
Sociologist Job Outlook
Employment of sociologists is expected to grow 18 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the BLS. As with anthropologists, the need for their research will increase job prospects for sociologists. But instead of organizations mainly interested in global issues, the BLS reports that a variety of social, political and business organizations will ask sociologists to address many different social issues and programs, and will drive the field's job growth. Sociologists will need advanced degrees, strong statistical and research skills, and backgrounds in applied sociology to find the best job opportunities, the BLS reports.
While many sociologists and anthropologists work in scientific research services and academia, their geographical locations are mostly different. According to the BLS, the top five locations where sociologists are employed are California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, the District of Columbia and Washington state. The top five states for anthropologists are California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Virginia.
- Swarthmore College: Department of Sociology and Anthropology
- BrainyQuote: Margaret Mead Quotes
- Fordham University: Department of Sociology and Anthropology
- American Anthropological Association: Careers -- What Do Anthropologists Do?
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages -- May 2011 --19-3091 Anthropologists and Archeologists
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages -- May 2011 -- 19-3041 Sociologists
- Northern Kentucky University: Anthropology Programs
- Winona State University Career Center: Sociology
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Anthropologists and Archeologists -- Job Outlook
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook: Sociologists -- Job Outlook
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