Anthropology Career Readiness Network

Elizabeth K. Briody
Riall W. Nolan
 

It has been just over six months since our last article in the SfAA Newsletter. One change you may have noticed is that we have evolved from a “Commission” to a “Network,” with the corresponding changes in our updated logo. 

The Anthropology Career Readiness Network, launched in May 2021, focuses on preparing students for careers in industry, non-profits, and government. With about 500 members, the Network has equal proportions of instructors and practitioners as well as a slightly smaller student membership. Together, we conduct research, run class projects, create career and teaching tools, operate the World of Work blog, offer workshops, build out our social media presence, continuously improve our website, advise departments on integrating anthropological practice into their courses and programs – the list goes on and on.​​​​​​​

The Anthropology Career Readiness Network, launched in May 2021, focuses on preparing students for careers in industry, non-profits, and government. With about 500 members, the Network has equal proportions of instructors and practitioners as well as a slightly smaller student membership. Together, we conduct research, run class projects, create career and teaching tools, operate the World of Work blog, offer workshops, build out our social media presence, continuously improve our website, advise departments on integrating anthropological practice into their courses and programs – the list goes on and on.

In the last SfAA Newletter, we discussed the Career Ready Curriculum Framework and some of the tools. In this issue we focus on the Network’s new Speakers Bureau. We now offer an easily searchable list of anthropologists at work in a variety of work settings. A short bio and specializations are included. These speakers are volunteers willing to be contacted by anthropology instructors and programs.​​​​​​​

For Instructors

Are you teaching a course this fall that would be enhanced by an anthropologist who works in business, local/state/federal government, or non-profits? Are you a department chair interested in a speaker for a department seminar/webinar or perhaps a specialty workshop? If so, check out our speakers at https://anthrocareerready.net/speakers-bureau/. Many of us have had the experience of having our lives changed due to the impact of a guest speaker. Why not search our growing roster to bring a different perspective and career experience into your program? Not only does a virtual or in-person visit raise awareness of the kinds of employment in which anthropologists engage, but it has the added virtues of providing students with the opportunity to ask questions and get advice. ​​​​​​​

For Practitioners

Are you an anthropologist working outside the academy with insights to share? How challenging was it for you to build your career? What lessons did you learn? Do you have specifics on how you use your anthropology in the workplace, what you find rewarding about your work, or perhaps any job search tips? If so, use the same link above to complete a short webform. This information will be available for those in academia to review, and subsequently contact you if there is a match between their needs and your background. You would be responsible for negotiating the engagement details/logistics and any honorarium or expense reimbursement. Giving a guest lecture, delivering a workshop, or participating in an informal Q&A session with students on a particular topic is a rewarding way to pass along your knowledge and experience.

Please Join Us

The Network welcomes the participation of any SfAA Newsletter readers who have not yet been involved in our efforts. To get on our mailing list, simply fill out this form and you will automatically be invited to our bi-monthly Zoom meetings and receive our Newsletter on the odd month. 

If you would like to work on any of our projects, or propose a new project, we would welcome it. It is only because of our dedicated volunteers that we have been able to accomplish so much over the last two years. Feel free to reach out to elizabeth.briody@gmail.com or rwnolan@purdue.edu for more information.