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Internships and Careers

Anthropology students often wonder what they can do with their major or minor after Colby. The fact is that anthropology is an excellent preparation for any professional field. Studying anthropology encourages the development of holistic and critical thinking, research design skills, awareness of complex cultural differences, and a sophisticated understanding of contemporary global realities. All these analytical and conceptual skills are invaluable in the contemporary workplace.

The department encourages anthropology majors and minors to explore internship and other career-related opportunities as much as possible while at Colby:  these include JanPlan and summer internships, volunteer work, and other avenues for applying your anthropological learning outside the classroom. Read about past student internship experiences and explore ideas about careers where you can apply your anthropological skills.

Start looking for internship ideas by browsing some of the sites listed below. Colby’s DavisConnects office can work with you to develop summer or JanPlan internships (including possible funding sources). DavisConnects can also help connect you with alumni interested in mentoring Colby students with specific career aspirations and help you explore a wide range of career options.

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These are only a few of the many possibilities open to anthropology students. Consult your advisor and check with Colby Career Services for more options.

General Anthropology (some examples)

  • American Anthropological Association.
  • See also this AAA Search engine for links to internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
  • Anthropology Internship Opportunities. Columbian College of Arts resources for how and where to apply to anthropology internships.

Human Rights, Diversity, and Community Organizing (some examples)

  • Colby in Malawi. Karen Clark, ’12 created this website to highlight some of the internship organizations in Malawi where Colby students have worked: Luzicare, Face-to-Face AIDS project, and more.
  • Azafady . Azafady’s aim is to help the poorest communities in Madagascar to empower themselves and develop in sustainable ways, increasing local access to health care and education. Azafady is looking for small teams of enthusiastic volunteers to take part in a dedicated lemur conservation program.
  • Center for World Indigenous Studies Internships. Reach out to the CWIS office about current listings.
  • Humanity in Action. A global human rights organization with diverse student opportunities.
  • Survival International Internships. A human rights organization formed in 1969. This organization runs campaigns to defend tribal peoples’ rights.
  • Idealist.org. A website to search for internships and jobs across the country.
  • Grassrootscampaigns.com.  An independent company that promotes civil liberties, environmental protection, LGBT equality, poverty and social justice. Focus on organizing voters, and working with progressive political groups, and candidates.
  • The Immigration and Border Community – Research Experience for Undergraduates. A unique opportunity to learn social science research methods while collaborating with local organizations to conduct in-depth research about the unique challenges faced by border communities in the Paso del Norte region of southern New Mexico, El Paso and Ciudad Juarez.

Museum Anthropology (some examples)

  • National Museum of the American Indian Internships. In this website there is information about  Internship Programs that will provide educational opportunities for students interested in the museum profession and related programming.
  • American Museum of Natural History. There are several internships, with two for college students. One is helping with the incredible Margaret Mead Film Festival, the other is with the Museum Education and Employment Program (MEEP).

Environment (some examples)

Archaeology (some examples)

Public Health (some examples)