Department of Anthropology Four-Year Career Development Plan

The anthropology four-year career plan helps you explore what it means to study humanity while building skills you can use across many career paths. This flexible plan shows you how to connect anthropological thinking to real-world issues and translate your education into a meaningful career.

If you have questions on how to tailor this career plan to your path, make an appointment with the College of Liberal Arts Career Services.

Year One

FALL

  • Participate in the anthropology call-out event! Come each semester to learn about opportunities
  • Get involved in PAST (Purdue Anthropology Society)
  • Identify your professional strengths (mystrengths)
  • Meet with a CLA career coach and advisor
  • Create a LinkedIn
  • Create your MyCCO account
  • Familiarize yourself with the Anthropology Career Readiness Network (ACRN) and its resources
  • Attend at least one career event or session

SPRING

  • Build a starter resume
  • Get a professional headshot and update your LinkedIn
  • Meet with anthropology professors to learn how to participate in their research and projects
  • Check out OURConnect to learn about research opportunities for summer/fall
  • Attend at least one career event or informational session
  • Find summer employment/volunteer opportunity to build up your experience

Year Two

FALL

  • Enroll in ANTH 380: Using Anthropology in the World, to begin preparing your career readiness skills
  • Participate in faculty research and project opportunities
  • Update your LinkedIn, MyCCO, and resume
  • Choose a minor, certification, or Degree+ program to complement your skills in anthropology
  • Stay up to date on ACRN and learn about careers in anthropology
  • Begin building a professional wardrobe (CCO Closet)
  • Attend at least one career event or session

SPRING

  • Reflect on your areas of interest and what next steps you can take to deepen your knowledge
  • Enroll in a field school, study abroad, or an internship opportunity that will build your experience
  • Start networking by reaching out to at least one professional anthropologist
  • Seek out a summer internship, job, or volunteer opportunities that will build your skills
  • Meet with faculty to discuss fall research and project opportunities
  • Attend a career event or session

Year Three

FALL

  • Attend career fairs across campus
  • Develop a target company/graduate school list
  • Meet with your career coach to identify experience gaps and review career materials
  • Take on leadership roles in student organizations and begin making an impact on campus
  • Continue networking with professionals, faculty, and peers
  • Continue engaging in faculty research and projects
  • Continue reviewing ACRN’s resources

SPRING

  • Participate in a conference, such as the Spring Undergraduate Research Conference
  • Complete a second or third internship to make your resume stand out
  • Research various modes of interviews, including virtual, technical, and behavioral
  • Conduct a mock interview with CLA Career Services to prepare to be your best in front of potential employers
  • Search for summer internships, fields chools, or study abroad opportunities to continue developing your skills

Year Four

FALL

  • Attend career fairs across campus
  • Continue research, project, and leadership opportunities
  • Meet with CLA Career Services to identify and plan next steps for after graduation
  • Begin branding yourself as a professional, not just a student, and update your headshot
  • Network by letting all your contacts know you are looking for employment
  • Plan to apply and interview for jobs and graduate schools 4-6 months before you graduate

SPRING

  • Participate in a conference, such as the Spring Undergraduate Research Conference
  • Continue networking, including key stakeholders at your desired company
  • Attend career fairs across campus
  • Continue to apply for full-time positions and graduate schools
  • If you have secured a position, find specific skills to optimize value for you and your employer
  • Complete the Next Steps Survey to provide helpful and accurate data insight
  • Stay in touch with the anthropology department!