Learning the Value of an Anthropology Degree: Faculty-Student Engagement in Applied Anthropology CoursesAshley Stoltenberg, April Holder, Amanda Smiley, and Tara Hefferan

GV Anthropology Alumni Survey- 350 Alumni- 73 responses (response rate of 20.9%)

Findings- Of the 73 respondents

- 45 women (66%)- 55 racially white (75%)- 44 graduated 2005 or later (60%)- 43 working 40+ hours per week (59%)- 46 at current job < 5 years (59%)- 22/29 owed >$15,000 said impacted career

choices

GV and CoPAPIA ComparisonMajority of respondents:

- White: 66% vs 67%- Women: 80% vs 84%

“Anthropologist” professional identity:- 61% vs 62%

Directly relevant skills- 57% vs 85%

GV Survey- Fieldwork participants: 68%- Internship participants: 20.6%

- very important to career success: 82%“‘HANDS ON’ EXPERIENCE IS WORTH A LOT. CONFIDENCE IS ALWAYS A MUCH NEEDED TOOL WHEN ENTERING ANY

CAREER FIELD.”

GV Survey- Most beneficial classes (47%): methods, theory, summative capstone- 56% would choose to major in Anthropology again.

Recommendations1. Increase writing and communication skills, to raise anthropology’s profile and to better prepare graduates for diverse forms of work, outside academia.

Recommendations2. Greater emphasis on problem solving skills

Recommendations3. Encourage collaborative and interdisciplinary courses and projects

Recommendations4. Offer more “real world” experiences

- hands-on courses- field schools- internships