1. WHAT AREYOU DOING HERE?
MAKING THE ACADEMY-TO-BUSINESS TRANSITION
AS A PRACTICING ANTHROPOLOGIST
Amy Santee, UX Researcher @ Empirical
Society for Applied Anthropology,
Albuquerque, NM
March 19th, 2014
Article currently in press - Practicing Anthropology 36(2) 2014

2. 2004-2008
2009-2011
2011-2012
2013-present
= Level of
Understanding of
Doing Anthropology
FoundationalLearningRealWorldLearning
{
{
Eckerd College
University of
Memphis
State Farm
Empirical

4. CONSIDERATION No. 1
Practicing anthropology in business means
creating your own opportunities for
application and success, and re-thinking your
approach to practice.
“
”

5. = ANTHROPOLOGY

6. DOING ANTHROPOLOGY
Image via uthinkido.com

7. ANTHROPOLOGIST
AS: STRATEGIST
EDUCATOR
ADVOCATE
NETWORKER
EMPLOYEE
CONTRIBUTOR
OPPORTUNITY-
CREATOR

8. CONSIDERATION No. 2
Doing a job isn’t about “doing
anthropology.” It’s about solving problems
with an anthropological perspective.This
involves constantly re-conceiving practice
and adopting a flexible professional
identity.
“
”

9. SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE:
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
FLEXIBILITY
ADAPTABILITY
OPEN-MINDEDNESS
= EXPANDINGYOUR ANTHROPOLOGICAL HORIZON

10. ANTHROPOLOGISTS
ARE: RESEARCHERS
PROJECT MANAGERS
THINKERS
CONSULTANTS
STRATEGISTS
EXPERTS
& PROBLEM-SOLVERS

13. CONSIDERATION No. 3
Being an effective business professional
involves making compromises, sacrifices and
adjustments to academically informed work
practices (e.g., communication, research,
producing information, etc)...
...even if you are trained in an applied program.
“
”

14. VS
What I know about cats:
•Fluffy
•Adorable
•Unique personalities
•Best pet ever
YOUR TERM PAPER YOUR POWERPOINT

15. IMMERSIVE EMPLOYMENT
EMBRACE IT.
LANGUAGE
BUSINESS TERMINOLOGY, CONCEPTS,ACRONYMS
CULTURAL CAPITAL
DOMAIN EXPERTISE, STRATEGIC THINKING
VALUES
TIME, COMPETITIVENESS, USEFUL INFO AND $$$

17. Stress
Project Budget
Project Timeline
Quality ???????Depth of Insight

18. TO CONCLUDE...
• NEW INSIGHTS
• REAL WORLD LEARNING
• PROFESSIONALISM
• CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
• FLEXIBILITY, ADAPTABILITY
• COMPROMISES,ADJUSTMENTS
• DEFENSE OFVALUES
BUILDING A KNOWLEDGE BASE
& EVOLVING CONCEPT OF PRACTICE