When I decided to major in anthropology, I had no idea what I was in for and that it would be one of the best decisions I have ever made.
1. You can do any job.
Law, medical, linguistics, etc. Anthropologists can find jobs in many different fields.
2. You get to learn about the past and present.
You don't just focus on history. You combine it with societies present standing.
3. You do your own research.
On top of not just looking at history—although this is of course an important aspect in conducting research—an anthropologist gets to go to the field and experience what it is like to live in a different community.
4. You get to travel.
I found out about anthropology by Googling "jobs that allow you to travel a lot."
5. You learn about things that broaden your mind to new horizons.
Learning about other cultures does more than teach you the unknown—it allows you to understand the world as a whole.
6. It pushes you academically and mentally.
Learning other cultures and theories pushes you to open your eyes in ways that you haven't before and look at yourself through a new lens.
7. You take information across disciplines.
Anthropologists normally specialize in a specific field of study: Anthropology of Law, Medical Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, etc. This will often cause the anthropologist to study another discipline more extensively than other majors may allow.
8. Many anthropologists become activists.
Anthropologists see firsthand what the problems in a society are, and they often see ways in which they can help people with whom they have grown a relationship.
9. The readings are eye-opening.
Anthropology ethnographies are firsthand experiences of the researcher in a society. You hear the anthropologist's voice along with the individuals being studied.
10. It teaches you to live in the present.
Doing research on a community in its present state causes the researcher to also mentally stay present.
11. It gives you a better understanding of yourself.
To be able to study other cultures, an anthropologist first has to understand their own. The researcher must understand their bias and their point of view.
