University of Minnesota Duluth Anthropology Senior Seminar Alumni Ethnography 2000

We addressed three main problems in our research:

What are the alumni doing now? What career paths have they chosen?

What is the public perception of anthropology, as experienced by our alumni and faculty?

What is the alumni assessment of the UMD anthropology program?

Current Occupations:

The alumni that responded to our survey work at many different occupations.

• Six are continuing studies in graduate school.
• Five are teachers (middle school, high school and university).
• Four are archaeologists.
• Ten work in human service occupations as:
  • counselors
  • peace corps volunteers
  • a registered nurse

The rest hold jobs in the public and private sector

Job satisfaction:

• On a scale of one to ten with ten being the highest, 27 alumni rated their job satisfaction at an eight or higher.
• Nine rated it at between five and seven.
• Six rated it at below five.

Previous Occupations:

• Five are working in the field of anthropology-including archaeology.
• Thirteen are working in human service professions.
• Thirteen are working in administrative or clerical positions.
• Ten are working in marketing or sales.
• Seven are working as researchers.

 

Click here for a complete list of previous occupations of UMD anthropology alumni.

Careers: How Has an Anthropology Degree Helped Alumni in Finding Jobs?

When asked how their anthropology degree helped in finding a job, those surveyed responded quite consistently. The most common alumni response, with sixteen respondents, was that the degree has helped very little or not at all. Eight respondents stated that cultural awareness, which the degree had helped to strengthen, was an important factor in finding a job. Five alumni said that having the degree was a job requirement, while another five said that simply having a BA had helped them find a job. Four stated that the degree was required for acceptance into graduate school, and three said that the anthropology degree being "unique" and "versatile" had helped them in their job search.

Careers: How Do the Alumni Use Their Anthropological Training in Their Current Position?

When asked the question, "How do you use your anthropological training in your current position?" the responses varied. The application of anthropology in present careers of the alumni showed up with nine responses for interpersonal skills and customer service. For example one alumnus wrote, "[Anthropology] helps me understand people and different cultures. Especially as a nurse in health care with multicultural patients. Hmong, Russian, Spanish, Mexican etc." Another wrote, "I use me anthropology everywhere. I use it when communicating with customers, co-workers, friends and family." This correlates with the results that many of the alumni are working in human service professions.

Multicultural awareness and understanding was near the top of the list with six responses and is evident in the quotes above.
Five of the respondents said that they use their skills daily, while four of the respondents said they use anthropology in a general way in their current field. Four stated that they use their anthropology training in their teaching. One respondent said, "When I lecture, I try to add an anthropological perspective." Another wrote, "As a social studies teacher, I teach a lot about culture. Culture is involved in nearly every aspect of social studies. I also taught summer classes to middle school students on archaeology-we even spent a day doing fieldwork!" Four respondents also commented that they do not use their anthropological training at all in their current position.

Other comments indicate a wide range of skills being used by alumni in their current position: archeology/excavation techniques, data analysis, teamwork, graduate school, communication skills, reading, writing, documentation, and Peace Corps volunteers. Finally, two respondents commented on the fact that anthropology had an impact on the development of the people they have become. For example, one respondent wrote, "It has helped shape the person that I am," while another wrote, "My education [in anthropology] has formed me as person overall so at this point everything I have learned has helped me and shaped me in a positive way so I cannot pinpoint anything in specific." This idea is implied in a number of other surveys as well.

Public Perceptions
In the survey, the alumni were asked about the public perceptions concerning anthropology which they have encountered. Three questions asked what common public perceptions they had experienced, and which, if any, were particularly positive or negative. Results are given below.

*Of all respondents, 43.9% said people assumed an anthropologist does some sort of digging.

*Nearly one-fifth of all respondents thought the general public has no idea what anthropology is.

*This question allowed for multiple answers per respondent. Percentage calculations show how many respondents represented each category among their answers.

*This question allowed for multiple answers per respondent. Percentage calculations show how much of the respondent body represented each category among their answers.

*The uncategorized (miscellaneous) category had some interesting, although unrelated responses.

*This question allowed for multiple answers per respondent. Percentage calculations show how much of the respondent body represented each category among their answers.

* Others had some interesting, although unrelated responses:

· One person has never had a negative reaction to anthropology from someone not interested in the field.

· It was pointed out that anthropologists only study in "exotic" cultures, bringing a current methodological issue to light…(noble savage)

· Anthropology was coined by one individual as being "A liberal approach to reduce responsibility."

 

Public Perceptions--Interviews

The question of "What do you see as the current public perception of anthropology?" was asked of alumni through face to face interviews as well as email interviews. The faculty that we interviewed were also asked this question.

One of the alumni, Matthew Thomas, said that anthropology was generally confused with archaeology or paleontology. Sarah James stated that she thought there was a general confusion about what anthropology is, some people associate it with Indiana Jones' type of archaeology. Ken Nystrom, said that because of the nature of anthropology some people have a hard time understanding why the studying of an obscure culture would have any impact on their lives, and because of that they don't understand why money is provided for the studies. Dan Swanson noted that some people are starting to understand the importance of recording the many cultures that are rapidly disappearing, while Toni Poupore-Haats says that a lot of people find the field fascinating, especially human origins and archaeology.

The faculty had slightly different assesments of the public's perceptions. Sue Mulholland felt that physical anthropology is starting to get known, but that people still get anthropology mixed up with digging for dinasours or that the study of linguistics has something to do with linguinii. Bill Miller thought that the public has a high level of interest in Egypt because of all the discoveries that have been made there. Sharon Kemp felt that a lot of the public's perceptions can be related to the article "Beyond Stones and Bones" by Elizabeth Bird that has to do with the public seeing anthropologists as either Indiana Jones types or dissheveled professor types, in other words stereotypical ideas. Dave Woodward said that he has had mostly positive reactions to anthropology from the public but that some people are still wary because of some abuses that took place in the past. Dave Smith said that the public appreciates anthopology's power and is coming to appreciate it more but that they worry about the possible abuses by big industry. John Bower said that the public seems to understand that anthropology is the study of human origins but that the perception has become distorted and that we as a community have to correct it by educating the public.

Personal encounters with perceptions of anthropology: alumni and faculty

We asked the resident experts, "What kind of public perceptions about anthropology have you personally encountered?" Of the six faculty members, most agreed that the public's "Stones and Bones" perception of anthropology was also the one that they most commonly experienced. Four of these faculty members identified themselves as fitting this perception somewhat as John Bower is a biological anthropologist with an interest in prehistoric anthropology, Bill Miller is an Egyptologist specializing in hieroglyphics, and both Sue Mulholland and David Woodward are archaeologists. Still, even within the "Stones and Bones" perception, as Sue Mulholland pointed out, there are extremes that range from "Are you finding any dinosaur bones yet?" to "If you find any gold, it's mine!" In other words, people often perceive archaeologists as being either those who study dinosaur remains or those in search of buried treasure.

Moreover, the other two faculty anthropologists we interviewed, Sharon Kemp and David Smith, are both cultural anthropologists and admit that people often confuse their profession with archaeology. Smith talked of people who have asked him, "Dug up any interesting bones lately?" He added, "Most anthropologists don't dig up anything, and I went to college so I didn't have to use a shovel." Concerning the public perception of cultural anthropologists, Kemp said, "People show surprise that we work in the United States." She further explained that most people want to know more about other cultures and this is probably due to the "romance tied up with exotic places."

Next we asked, "Have any of these perceptions been particularly negative or hostile?" Two of the resident experts talked of hostilities that they encountered while abroad doing fieldwork. Bower told of a particularly frightening day when he was "in the wrong place at the wrong time" while in western Kenya. He, his wife, and his crew were stopped at a roadblock conducted by rural administration police officers and two members of his team, both local men, were held at gunpoint outside of the truck until he managed to produce the paperwork necessary for their release. Miller expressed his frustration with certain Islamic fundamentalists that he has run up against in his research due to their beliefs "that everything before Mohammad, the Sphinx, for example, is considered pagan and should be done away with."

Other reports of hostility, however, occurred closer to home. Kemp discussed the hostility she sometimes experienced in introductory anthropology classes which draw students from many different disciplines besides anthropology. Once, after showing a film depicting examples of poverty throughout the world some students complained "that they were there to get an education and that they did not need to be exposed to stuff like this."

Our resident archaeologists talked of hostilities, not necessarily in terms of being aimed particularly at them, but more so at their field of study in general. Mulholland talked of groups, though not in this area, who are directly confrontational towards archaeologists. Issues of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) come to mind along with, Mulholland said, " the debate as to whether human remains found should be considered North American ancestors or human ancestors overall." Woodward said that while on a dig for the Forest Service in Wisconsin, the site that he was excavating was close to a highway and occasionally he heard imitations of Indian war cries, similar to those portrayed in old Western movies, coming from some people in the cars that passed. When asked how he, within himself, reconciled with this, he responded, "By being ethical." He further explained, "Political lines are arbitrarily drawn, but cultural lines not so much," meaning that when it comes to cultural issues one must, above all, be respectful.

Although Woodward is currently doing archaeology, he also has done ethnographies, studying, in particular, popular culture, folklore and festivals. He admits, "Doing an ethnography is harder than doing archaeology because when it comes to studying people, power issues come into play." He pointed out that ideas of racism were anthropology's foundation and we can easily see this when we look back to the disciplines founding fathers: Spencer, Morgan, Tyler, and even on down the line a ways. Smith picked up on this point saying, "Anthropology came up under colonialism and has a long history of insensitivity which we, as anthropologists today, run into from time to time and have to overcome." He experienced this first hand years ago while doing fieldwork in northern Canada. Once, Smith recalled, a Metis man, upon learning that he was an anthropologist, kicked him with his mocassin, saying, "Measure my head and kiss my arse!"

When we asked alumni about the public perceptions of anthropology that they have personally encountered, most responded in much the same way as our resident experts; that is, again the public's "Stones and Bones" perception was the one most commonly experienced. Ben Vogel stated, "Most people think it is archaeology or physical anthropology." Sarah James and Ken Nystom are currently graduate students, and although James is studying archaeology whereas Nystrom is studying biological anthropology, both say that they have personally encountered the same extremes within the "Stones and Bones" perception that Mulholland mentioned above. James told us, "Most times when I tell people that I am getting my degree in archaeology, they ask if I am going to find dinosaurs or run around like Indiana Jones looking for lost treasures." Nystrom adds that on more than one occasion people have thought that he was some sort of paleontologist saying, ""One guy is still bugging me about this ‘dinosaur' site that he wants me to come with and help him dig."

Other alumni picked up on Kemp's point that the public often perceives anthropology as being confined to the study of exotic cultures in faraway places. Matthew Thomas commented that besides the public perception of anthropology being confused with paleontology, or seen as being only archaeology, anthropology is commonly viewed by the public "as exotic and interested only in ‘primitive' peoples." Dan Swanson said, "I think that it is a common misperception that, unless you are a college professor, you have to go to some remote corner of the world to get a job in the field of anthropology. "Which," he adds, "is not true as there are many jobs in many related fields right here in our own backyard." Alumni Pat Nelson adds that anthropologists do not need to go to exotic places to study diversity saying, "All you need to do is open your own doors and look outside. We forget about cultural groups that live in our own community; or even a neighbor that may be different from you. Reducing racism, which is what anthropology must do, comes down to looking in our own backyard."

As far as particular reactions from the public towards their degree in anthropology, alumni had more positive things to say than negative. Most said that people showed interest, especially after learning more about their specific research, and about what kind of jobs are available with an anthropology degree. For example, Nystrom is currently researching South American mummies as a graduate student at the University of New Mexico and claims that "the mummies tend to be the clincher, drawing their interest." However, he admits that not all reactions are positive saying, "Quite a few times when I mention that I am an anthropologist, the person responds by asking me, ‘Then you don't believe in creation do you?' or ‘Then you think we evolved from apes, right?' To be honest," Nystrom adds, "it becomes somewhat negative, because you can tell what they think of your field already."

Some alumni reported that reactions from other people concerning their degree in anthropology were neither positive nor negative. Instead, they tended to be rather ambiguous. Alumni related this ambiguousness toward a lack of interest by the public in the field as well as a lack of knowledge about the field in general. Nelson said, "I don't really have anyone I can talk to about anthropology outside of other people in anthropology." However, Nelson recognized that his fellow graduate students in psychology, as he is currently pursuing a master's degree in counseling, did know what anthropology was and often referred to him as the "culture guy." He added that often during classes, when issues of diversity are being discussed, his opinion is readily sought by others in the room.

Some other alumni agreed that once they were removed from the academic environment of college and employed in positions unrelated to anthropology, their degree was not something discussed in either a positive or negative light. Toni Poupore-Haats, who graduated in 1978, said, "People have never been polar in their responses to my degree — nobody really cares about your major or GPA once your done with school." Sharon Thorin told us that her current employers, a government agency, have shown no interest in her degree saying, "No one ever talks about it." Alumni Bob Olson admits that none of the people he currently works for, or with as a groundskeeper, know that he has a degree in anthropology saying, "I don't want to come off high and mighty." Olson explains further that he does not want to have to explain anthropology to them because "it disturbs my happiness" in relation to his personal contentment with choosing anthropology as his major even if others he knows do not understand the field or his decision to study it.

Popularizing Anthropology

We asked this question of all the faculty and alumni we interviewed: How do you feel about popularizing anthropology?

All but one of the ten agreed that anthropology should be made more accessible to the general public. Alumni Bob Olson feels that people need to discover anthropology on their own, and that it cannot be forced. Everyone else thinks that popularization is a step in the right direction. The reasons given were varied, but most agreed that, as quoted by alumni Matthew Thomas, "anthropology has a huge contribution to make to the general knowledge of most people."

Overall cultural understanding and tolerance were also given as reasons to popularize anthropology. Alumni Pat Nelson and Toni Poupore-Haats both explained that it is very easy to get comfortable in Duluth and forget about the diversity all around us. Anthropology can help to increase awareness and reduce racism based on ignorance. Pat Nelson feels strongly that anthropology needs to work on reducing racism by making people more aware of the differences and similarities among all people. Alumni Dan Swanson also stated that "understanding how other people live, even if it is just on the other side of town, may help to solve much of the hatred and racism in our country."

Resident expert Sue Mulholland explained that popularizing anthropology could help to improve support and funding of anthropological research. She explained that most applied anthropology being done is paid for with tax dollars, and that people need to be fully aware of what they are supporting.

The importance of accuracy and integrity was also stressed by many of those interviewed. Popularization is a good tool, but sensationalism must be avoided in order for it to make a positive impact on the discipline. As resident expert Dave Woodward explained, "pop culture can be dangerous."

We also asked the faculty and alumni who or what is doing a good job of popularizing anthropology.

Many different people were mentioned, both past and present: Margaret Mead, Dianne Fossey, the Leakeys, Buddah, C.J Jung, Don Johanson, Geoffrey Bibby, Sherrie Ortner, Arthur Evans, Brian Fagan, Kent Weeks, Marvin Harris, and Katherine Dettwyler. Pat Nelson listed Harris because he is an author "that anybody can read and understand." Alumni Chad Roberts also mentioned the director of the Giza monuments in Egypt.

Other forms of mass media were also mentioned, including television, magazines, ad the Internet. Two of those interviewed listed popular archaeology magazines, recognizing the limited focus of these publications. Resident expert Bill Miller also stressed that these magazines "are often written by members of academia who are well-informed and can help to overcome misconceptions about the discipline." In addition, the journal Cultural Survival was also mentioned.

Public and cable television were also cited as doing a good job of popularizing anthropology. The Discovery, Learning and Travel channels were all mentioned more than once. Dave Woodward also listed A&E, along with the television program Nova. Bob Olson provided one of the more interesting responses, stating that the television series Northern Exposure provides an accessible glimpse into anthropology. He explained that it shows how different cultures come into contact with one another and end up learning more about themselves.

The Professor's Role

We asked the interviewees, faculty and alumni, what the university professor's role should be, especially regarding the public perception of anthropology. Since we were asking two different groups of people, each of which would probably think differently, we phrased the questions slightly differently to each. We asked the faculty what the role of the university professor should be, and then we asked what each individual faculty member is or has done to help disseminate anthropological knowledge to the public.

The responses to the first question were heavily weighted towards functions of academia. Jon Bower commented that "people in charge need to be kept happy", referring to the 'publish or perish' idea. Bill Miller stated that a more interdisciplinary approach in both the classroom and in research would be helpful, and that teaching and research are vital to the professor, but so is public access. Dave Woodward said the ideal professor is "a seamless mentor and researcher", and also that fieldwork is vital. He further stated that a professor who is not doing fieldwork is probably not as large a benefit to his or her students as a professor who is in the field often.

Addressing a public audience was also considered important, if to a lesser degree. Sharon Kemp said that professional journals won't reach the public, so if all anthropological writing is done for the journals, the public won't be exposed to the discipline. Writing to both professional and public audiences is important. Dr. Bower also hinted that reaching out to the public is important.

Among the UMD anthropology faculty, there is much work being done to increase the general anthropological knowledge. The various work that has been done includes published books, articles, activity in local archaeological societies, teaching local workshops, giving talks in schools, and Dave Smith has even appeared in court as an expert witness. Of the faculty interviewed, Dave Woodward and Sue Mulholland seem to be most deeply involved in writing for a general, public audience.

The alumni were asked what they thought the university professor could do to help further the general anthropological knowledge of the public. Pat Nystrom stated that professors could "write editorials to the newspaper and get more involved in their community". Bob Olson commented, "University professors should share their knowledge with the public more than they do". Chad Roberts believes that besides public talks and presentations, professors could help their students get involved in internships more, especially with "local historical groups". He went on that "these organizations can then do public presentations, and the students can be more well-rounded". Toni Poupore-Haats said that the lectures given at Barnes and Noble are well attended, and that as many books as that store sells on cultural issues, an anthropologist would likely be well received at a lecture in the store's cafe.

In the email responses, Ben Vogel suggested that professors could "focus on hot issues", and by doing such, the public interest would be increased. His examples included ethnobotany and agricultural practices. Matthew Thomas said that the professor could "ask the [university] public relations department for help about how to sell and share that [anthropological] knowledge to the public". Dan Swanson stated that professors might consider being more open to doing public talks, but he really thinks that "it's our job too…" to educate the public about anthropology; the duty falls on all of us educated in anthropology, not just on those with a Ph.D.

In summary, the faculty was more focused on academic commitments as being the role of the professor, but they did acknowledge that being available to the public is important too. The alumni feel that professors could, maybe even should, reach out to the public more. However, it was also pointed out that that responsibility falls on everyone interested in anthropology.

Program Assessment: Skills Attained from the UMD Anthropology Department

The responses to the question, "What skills do you posses that are the result of your anthropology education?" ranged from theories and statistics, to general knowledge, to travel information. However, many of the respondents, (12) stated that multicultural awareness and understanding was the main skill they had gained from their anthropological education. Research skills was the next highest, with 7 alumni responses. Writing skills and sensitivity/appreciation of diversity were close to this, both with 6 responses each. Communication skills also rated among the top five responses. Five of the alumni claimed that communication skills were a great part of their anthropology education.
Other categories with at least four respondents included: interpersonal skills, data interpretation such as qualitative and quantitative methods, and archeology/ excavation techniques. Listening skills, critical thinking skills, and theories were each mentioned three times by the alumni, while statistics, interview skills, organizational skills and self-motivation were each mentioned twice.
Other skills mentioned were creativity, teamwork, teaching kids tolerance, flexibility, attention to detail, international travel, and contentment with life among others. Many alumni listed more than one skill, for example, one alumnus responded by saying, ". . . the skills my anthropology education honed include: writing ability, teamwork, research skills (both library and interviewing), job organization and completion, critical analysis and holistic thinking!" In the majority of the surveys, alumni listed a multitude of skills that are the result of their anthropology education at UMD. This qualitative list (see appendix E) should be compared to the quantitative list of skills below.

Program Assessment: Skills Alumni Wish Would Have Been a Part of Their Experience in the UMD Anthropology Department

When we asked the alumni, "What additional skills do you wish would have been part of your anthropology experience?" the majority of responses included both study abroad (13) and internships (12) as lacking in their college experience. In addition, some alumni felt that the department focused too much on cultural anthropology (3) and need to round it out by offering more archaeological and biological anthropology courses. Other responses included more technical training in terms of computer skills, practical experience to provide marketable skills, more information about graduate school, and what can be done with an anthropology degree.

Best and Worst Aspects

The survey had two questions that were asked in order to get the alumni's feelings on their experience here at UMD in the sociology--anthropology department. The first question asked, "What were the best aspects of your college experience?". Overwhelmingly alumni responded that the professors made the most positive impression on them (22) as well as the broad variety of courses offered by the department (9). Developing close relationships with other anthropology students (6) was also viewed as being important. Some alumni mentioned specific courses as being the best aspect of their experience and these included: archaeology courses (3), Physical Anthropology(3), Cultural Anthropology(2), and Senior Seminar(2). Other alumni responded more generally citing upper division classes(3), small class sizes(3), and class projects(2) as being the best aspects of their experience. Also mentioned were learning more about one's self by becoming open-minded about others(3), and the field school experience(2).

The next question asked, "What was the worst aspect of your experience with the sociology--anthropology department?". This question had various answers with three catagories standing out as being mentioned most often: a lack of practical job skills preparation (7), poor faculty-student interaction (5), and poor student-to-student interaction (3). The answer to the question that was given the most was simply no answer at all. Twelve graduates did not answer this question at all. Various answers that were given only once or twice include: no expeditions, the concentration on either theories or methods, required memorization, soft courses, religious clashes, and a lack of job guarantees.

Overall Satisfaction with Anthropology

On our survey we asked if respondents would major in anthropology again if they could do it all over, in order to get an assessment of the satisfaction people have with their experience in anthropology. To our interviewees (faculty, and alumni in both email and face-to-face interviews) we posed a slightly different question: if your son or daughter wanted to major in anthropology, would you encourage him or her, and if so how?

Recall that in the interviews, we asked whether or not the interviewee would encourage their child's decision to major in anthropology. By asking specifically about their children, we could ask what advice those being interviewed would give as encouragement or warnings. This allowed us to see what the interviewees thought was important to remember when considering a major in anthropology. Answers for this question can be put in to the yes, maybe, and no categories for the first part, with interesting advice or suggestions considered separately. The results are listed below, first the faculty, then alumni interviews.

Among the faculty, Bill Miller gave several pieces of advice for college students. He stated the importance of doing what you love, realizing that money isn't the most important determinant of one's major, and taking advantage of one's opportunities. He also said he would tell his child "don't let school get in the way of your education". Dave Woodward told us that he will expose his son to anthropology, to its vitality, and he reminded us of the age-old adage "the family that digs together stays together". John Bower jokingly replied that his first reaction would be "what the hell are you doing?" Then he told us his daughter is an anthropologist, and he encouraged her every step of the way.

In the face-to-face interviews, Pat Nelson said he'd support the decision, but he'd try to suggest a second major "to fall back on", as did Sharon Thoron. Chad Roberts said that he would "absolutely" support the decision. However, he wouldn't recommend UMD because "UMD does not offer career support, at least not [when he was here] for the liberal arts…" He really believes that when he was here, a couple of years ago, Career Services did very little to help people with liberal arts degrees. Bob Olson stated that he wouldn't encourage or discourage any major. Instead, he'd let his son or daughter "discover" anthropology for his or herself.
In the email interviews, the responses all seemed to imply that the interviewee would support their child's decision to major in anthropology, but a couple said that they wouldn't encourage it directly unless their child really was interested in anthropology. As Ken Nystrom said, "you really have to love this stuff in order to put up with it". He continued, "academia is a weird, limbo world," and "grad school is all about jumping through hoops and juggling ten things at once".

The overall yes/maybe/no results for "Would you major in anthropology again, or encourage your children to?" are as follows:

The yes and the maybe responses could, in effect, be rolled together into a single yes category. The maybe responses all indicated that parental support was contingent upon the child's motivation. If the child were determined to study anthropology, the parents would support him or her. If the child were just randomly picking anthropology as a major, the parents would urge him or her to reconsider. So, if we assume the child has a serious interest in anthropology, we can rephrase the question: