IKON
Lalita Prasad Vidyarthi, popularly known as LPV is a familiar name in contemporary Indian anthropology. Vidyarthi did his masters in anthropology from Lucknow University and Ph.D. from Chicago.
P. Vidyarthi joined Ranchi University and almost single handedly raised the status of the anthropology department and added multifarious dimension to it. It is to-day considered a major center for anthropological studies in the country.
His “Rise to Anthropology in India”, a two volume book of the growth of Indian anthropology is perhaps the only detailed treatise on this subject.
He did field work mostly among the tribes of Bihar. He headed the Task force for the Development of the Backward Area’s, appointed by the Planning Commission.
What is the job all about?
Anthropology is a science, which studies the origin and the physical, social and cultural development and behaviour of mankind, especially various human cultures, human civilizations, their traditions and customs.Anthropology is about people, their relationships, and how they live together as members of society. It contributes to the understanding and explanation of socio-cultural behaviour
Anthropology involves archaeological study of human relics to know the biological and cultural history of the human species over the last four million years, the cultural patterns of people from around the world down, and the techniques and ideas people have used both to exploit and protect natural resources and the environment.
There are several branches of anthropology that deals with various aspects of human development. These include the following:
Physical or Biological Anthropology – biological evolution of human beings and linkage of humans with their primate ancestors.
Socio-cultural Anthropology – socio cultural developments of human race from their origin. It involves the study of human cultures and societies, and it encompasses topics like linguistics, studies of minority populations, studies of social norms, and studies of specific types of social groups.
Prehistoric Anthropology – deals with bones, relics and artefacts dug up and tries to reconstruct the chronological sequence of history on the basis of these findings.
Applied Anthropology – social problems like birth control, labor unrest, juvenile delinquency, mortality rate are dealt with the help of information gathered from other fields. This is the main job of this branch of Anthropology.
Linguistic Anthropology – it is the branch of anthropology that studies human through the languages that they use evolution of all written as well as unwritten languages and dialects are dealt with under this branch of anthropology. Linguistic anthropologists work as linguists.
Can you go for it?
If you are curios of how people, languages, weapons, tools, dress etc evolved over the centuries then this is the right type of Career you could choose. The demand for curators by museums gives another opening for Anthropologists. They are employed by museums, art galleries, libraries and archives
Is there a future in this field?
Yes there is a future .You need to be prepared for physical hardship (traveling, excavating etc.) One should also be open-minded and unbiased. You will be required to write down your findings; so skills in the written language is also necessary. Anthropologists should be able to communicate well, develop and maintain good interpersonal relations with people from all communities and be patient and tactful, especially when interviewing people and gathering information.
Where to begin :
In Goa:
Goa University does not have a Graduate Program in Anthropology –so students can do their Inter-science and then proceed to the College listed below outside Goa
Outside Goa:
Deccan College Pune
KarnatakUniverstiy, Dharwar
Shivaji University, Kolhapur
Mumbai University
St Xaveirs College Mumbai
Employment Avenues
The job prospects for good within India as well as abroad.
Anthropological Survey of India is foremost employer in the field especially in the research area. The demand for curators by museums gives another opening for Anthropologists. They are employed by museums, art galleries, libraries and archives.
Other than these jobs one can opt for jobs with NGOs working in underdeveloped areas. Anthropologists can be hired by organizations like the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization , UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund ) and WHO (World Health Organisation).
The scope for employment is varied – One can find employment as linguists, social workers, tour guides as well as in publishing houses, social service organisations, forensic science and criminal investigation departments.
Monies:
One can expect a starting salary somewhere around Rs. 8,000-12000 per month. But with experience these go much higher.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/