World of Work Blog

Anthropologists may say, “It’s too bad you don’t get to use your anthropology anymore” when I talk about working at a big box retailer. But nothing could be further from the truth. Business anthropology has taken software development in-house to build less costly technology solutions, including “enterprise” software. In 2019, I landed in the enterprise software space of a major US retailer. I had nearly given up on applying through job seeker websites, but the hiring manager favored ethnography—based on his previous experience. As the first ethnographer hired within the organization, I was a bit of an oddity. I had already [...]

In my first decade in industry, I increasingly found myself working on strategy projects which, while suffused with cultural insights and analysis, had me slowly gravitating away from ethnographic research. But in the later 2010s I had the opportunity to get back into more fieldwork projects. In one such project, a yearlong study of Latino voters in Texas in 2020, I sifted through hundreds of hours of interview data; it reminded me of the power of ethnographic methods. I have since dedicated more effort to thinking about the fundamental aspects of ethnographic methods and their implications in the business world. That [...]

I have long advised people interested in a global economic development career to study anthropology, better still, anthropology with development studies, as I did at Sussex University. There are not enough people focused on understanding people in the technology-for-development world. You see plenty of ‘Technology Advisor’ roles, but where are the “People Advisors?” I do not think I have seen a single technology job description require time spent in the field to understand the human context of technology use in global development…and, no mention of the word “anthropology.” A question that I often get asked when people get over the shock that I have [...]

Ah, to reconnect with former colleagues! It is straightforward for some and difficult for others. Reconnecting may offer undiscovered opportunities in one’s career, but is it possible to link up with the past in a substantive way? This blog shares our experience reconnecting: it is the story of the collaboration between two former university students who reconnected after 30 years and agreed to rebuild their relationship and share their networks with each other and their students. Reunions are memories, as Michael D. Jackson, the founder of existential anthropology (a field of anthropology that incorporates existentialism and the open-endedness of life projects), [...]

In a previous blog, I wrote about how I observed anthropology from the “outside in,” where I described my endorsement of our field to non-anthropologists. Here, I discuss anthropology from the “inside out,” or how I apply my skills and training to create solutions for my clients. My Work History A PhD in cultural anthropology is the backbone of everything I do. I have spent the past 20+ years applying the knowledge from my doctoral studies in various roles, each adding to my understanding of people and organizations. I studied the impact of work on women for my dissertation, titled “Women’s [...]

In the summer of 2024, I traveled to Mexico where I conducted nine weeks of ethnographic research with Central American migrants in Monterrey and Mexico City, two epicenters of migration from Central American. I returned to the University of Virginia (UVA) my senior year, with a deeper understanding of the migrant experience along the Mexico–US border. I also experienced profound gratitude for the relationships I formed with the immigrants I met. Professor Levi Vonk of UVA, the project leader, posed the primary research question for our team of three: How do humanitarian visas—a legal document unique to Mexico, which grants migrants [...]

From August to December 2023, I conducted ethnographic fieldwork in several Chinatowns in Bangkok, Thailand. An early piece of advice I got was that no matter how comprehensively I planned the process, not much would go as expected. This guidance was unnerving to hear as an undergraduate about to fly halfway around the world for first-time fieldwork. Some conclusions that I drew will be useful for undergraduates planning research abroad: maintaining flexibility, building relationships with student participants (i.e., informants), and forming connections with scholars who have researched your topic. My research explored how residents of Chinatowns in Bangkok—whether Thai, Chinese, or [...]

A few months ago, I was at a wonderful lunch event when I overheard two men next to me grumble, “f***ing anthropology!” I turned to confirm what I heard, and they explained that an employee wanted to pursue an anthropology degree, which they didn’t support. I have a PhD in anthropology, so I shared that not only is it a fascinating field, but it has been incredibly valuable in my career. A few weeks later, a head recruiter suggested I remove “anthropology” from my LinkedIn profile and resume. I was too stunned to ask why and agreed momentarily. But when I [...]

As the academic anthropology job market continues to devolve, anthropologists are finding opportunities at the forefront of innovation, applying their unique skills and perspectives to shape the future of emerging technologies (EmTech). This intersection of anthropology and EmTech offers exciting career opportunities for those willing to explore beyond traditional academic paths.   Understanding the EmTech Landscape Emerging technologies encompass various fields, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, robotics, space technology, and biotechnology. These areas are rapidly transforming industries and society, creating a need for professionals who can bridge the gap between technological advancement and human realities. Anthropologists, with their training in understanding cultural [...]