<p>Hello
I am a troubled community college student that is going to UCLA in the fall. I am thinking about changing my major, but I do not know what one would be the better choice. </p>
<p>In community college, I majored in anthropology (cultural). I love it but I am afraid of the future. In the mean time i have been taking a couple art history classes that I love, so I am thinking about majoring in art history.</p>
<p>I know I picked the two open-ended majors, but which one is more secure.</p>
<p>That’s a great question. If you stick with cultural anthropology, you might be able to sneak in a field archaeology class, which could be really valuable if you ever want to dig up a grave to steal a gold ring or two. Then you can pawn them off for a little spending money to go with your welfare check.</p>
Neither is terribly secure, and much will depend on how proactive you are about securing internships. For example, I know art history students who did internships at Christie’s and Sotheby’s and now have fairly lucrative jobs. I also know a fair amount of unemployed art history students who were not as proactive. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t choose based on career prospects…the considerable differences between the two fields definitely trumps any minor difference in marketability.</p>
<p>Degrees in art history and cultural anthropology are in equally low demand on the job market, but while cultural anthropology is also a relatively rare major, art history is one of the most oversubscribed majors I can think of. It doesn’t make sense for you to switch to art history for practical concerns; there is already a great surplus of art history majors on the job market as it is.</p>
<p>Whichever one you pick, you are unlikely to find a job in your field. As for getting a job in an unrelated field, I don’t think a degree in art history would carry any advantage over a degree in cultural anthropology.</p>
In 2009, colleges awarded 3893 BAs, 724 MAs, and 210 PhDs in art history. The same year, colleges awarded 8845 BAs, 1207 MAs, and 518 PhDs in anthropology. The number of students concentrating in cultural anthropology is smaller, but like most schools, UCLA awards only a general degree in anthropology. </p>
<p>I was referring to cultural anthropology specifically, but you do have a point in saying that many schools only offer a degree in general anthropology. I think the two look quite different on job applications, i.e. cultural anthropology sounds fancier and catches the eye, but maybe that’s just because I’ve never reviewed an actual job application.</p>
<p>I didn’t know that about UCLA. It sounds like they offer specializations within the major, if the OP is thinking of cultural anthropology.</p>
<p>In any case, I stand by my advice to pick the major you prefer.</p>
<p>warblersrule, I think I know the same people you do. One in particular majored in art history and now has an extremely lucrative job with, oddly enough, a very strong anthropology focus. The point of a degree such as this is to learn how to learn and how to express yourself very well. Those skills and a strong network can take you any place.</p>
<p>The actual jobs in art history are probably very cool, but at the same time low paying and hard to get. </p>
<p>Neither one is really a safe major, though. Odds are, you’ll need to look for a job that isn’t in art history. Consider finance, consulting, law, or Teach For America.</p>
<p>Unless you are exceptionally gifted or well-connected, or you expect to continue through a doctoral program, you cannot expect to find work specifically in either field, but neither is any more or less valuable as a major than any other liberal arts concentration. Assuming that you are disinclined to select a vocational major, pick the one that interests you and pursue your education for the sake of education. You will still have to learn how to write a cogent paper, study for an exam, manage your time and money, and you might actually become an interesting, engaged member of society. You can apply to law school, obtain a teaching certificate, work in the private sector for a spell and then consider an MBA program, or you might find a profession and talent that you’ve never considered or even heard of. Just master the appealing, insouciant grin and shrug in order to respond to everyone who asks “wotcha gonna do with dat?”</p>
<p>IMHO, I think anthropology is more valuable in understanding a diverse workplace and our changing society. But keep in mind that I was a sociology major who is now an immigration attorney. . .</p>
<p>I think Cultural Anthro brings a more broad global view and appreciation of other cultures which may help in your career search. Anthro seems to lend well to international careers in business, (which includes marketing to certain demographics based on observation - a career path taken by my double major anthro/business friend) int. law, teaching in areas like history, geography, anthro, area studies, even languages or archaeology if you shift that way. If you like both equally, perhaps consider an archaeology concentration which seems to be a nice balance between the two. Remember your major doesn’t dictate how successful you can become, it just helps to get you started. Where you go from there is completely up to you…</p>