Careers

The defining characteristics of anthropology—holistic approach and critical analysis—emphasize the broad-based, critically informed understanding of the world that is the essence of the liberal arts. The lens of anthropology is thus an invaluable tool for moving students "beyond immediate interests and present knowledge" and enabling them to develop as "whole persons who are resilient enough to confront and evaluate the changing society in which they serve," as stated by Luther's mission.

It is no coincidence that a high proportion of our majors go on to do a year or more of volunteer service following graduation from college and often enter service-oriented careers in religious, social, and governmental agencies. Regardless of whether or not they define their life's work as anthropology, many graduates continue to think of themselves as anthropologists and use their training both to understand and change the world around them—as graduate students, teachers, church youth directors, personnel administrators, urban planners, museum curators, contract archaeologists, international businesspeople, and more.