Anthropologists Wanted: Why Organizations Need Anthropology
Anthropologists Wanted: Why Organizations Need Anthropology
by Laurens Bakker, Masja Cohen and Walter Faaij
Amsterdam University Press, 2021 eISBN: 978-90-485-5439-3 (ePub)
ABOUT THIS BOOK | AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY | REVIEWS | TOC
ABOUT THIS BOOK
In Anthropologists Wanted. Why Organizations Need Anthropology the authors present a broad and inspiring survey of anthropologists in the job market. What in fact is anthropology? What skills do anthropologists have? Where do they work? How do they add value in the workplace, according to the people who hire them? And how can anthropologists showcase their qualities to employers? The book contains unique insights for anyone who plans to study, is studying, or has studied anthropology. And for employers interested in why anthropological knowledge is important.
Anthropologists Wanted includes portraits of anthropologists and their diverse occupations, interviews with employers and academic counsellors' answers to frequently asked questions about degree programmes, anthropological skills, and tips to help you land that job.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Laurens Bakker is associate professor and researcher at the Anthropology department of the University of Amsterdam.Masja Cohen is Senior Advisor Social Domain at consultancy Haute Equipe.Walter Faaij is founder of Green Culture Lab and works as a corporate anthropologist on sustainability and organizational culture.
REVIEWS
"You've written such a welcome book; it is proving so useful at this stage of my anthropology studies. It offers so many great insights and has given me the confidence I'll need when applying for jobs. It should be required reading for every anthropology student!" Razia Jaggoe, anthropology student
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface to the 2021 edition Foreword Acknowledgements Introduction
1. What is anthropology? Why anthropology? Participant observation Structuralism and relativism Context and holism Ethnography Academic and applied, reflective and engaged Applied anthropology ...and what’s the salary? Interlude with Corina Enache Interlude with Anneke Beerkens Interlude with Emma Ratia
2. ‘What can I do with an anthropology degree?’ As an undergraduate student, how can I prepare for the job market? What is the added value of a master’s degree in the job market? What distinguishes anthropologists from other social scientists? Why would an employer want to hire an anthropologist? How can I ‘translate’ my discipline for employers? How do I land my first job? Interlude with Lianne Quax Interlude with Rita Ouédraogo Interlude with Sam van Vliet
3. Academic anthropology: working at a university Getting a doctorate A postdoctoral position Interlude with Bart Barendregt Interlude with Naomi van Stapele Interlude with Loes Berendsen
4. Unique skills of an anthropologist Ordering chaos Seeing the invisible Understanding the internal logic Discovering patterns Guiding change Telling persuasive stories Enriching decision-making Interlude with Olof van der Gaag Interlude with Mark Middel Interlude with Michelle Steggerda
5. Branding anthropology Framing: anthropologists as fixers of human issues Power: own your rank! Language: multilingual, strategic and playful Tempo: faster and with the beat Nuance: strength and weakness Ethics: pragmatic, bold and brave Change: to describe and to create Always underline you are an anthropologist Interlude with Martin Ortlieb
6. Anthropologists, employers and the job market Anthropologists on starting out Anthropologists on their career paths Professional fields: where anthropologists work Trends and developments Employers on anthropologists Employer tips for anthropologists Tips from working anthropologists Interview with Frans Lustermans Interview with Lilian Swart-Eekhout Interview with Meino Zandwijk