Career Information

Students completing the Anthropology A.A. degree at Western are qualified to start working at Cultural Resource Management firms around the country. Starting positions at state parks and museums are also a great place to apply with a A.A. in Anthropology from Western.

Starting salaries for a A.A. in Anthropology vary from state to state, but range between $12.00/$15.00 per hour, while the median pay for a B.A. in Anthropology is over $30.00 per hour.

National professional organizations are a great place to start when considering a career field. These professional association website for Anthropology and Archaeology have more resources available, and can help you plan for the future:

American Anthropological Association: www.aaanet.org

Society for American Archaeology: www.saa.org

Society for Historical Archaeology: www.sha.org

World Council of Anthropological Associations: https://www.waunet.org/wcaa/

Students who graduate with an Associate of Arts in History, and who go on to achieve a bachelor’s degree are well equipped to compete in today’s workforce. Particularly, their experience with critical thinking, analysis of data and concepts, and their advanced communication and writing skills make them highly sought by employers in industries such as business, education, entertainment, library science, and public service.

Possible Job Titles

• Administrative Assistant
• Archivist
• Business Person
• Librarian
• Politician
• Reporter / Journalist
• Teacher / Professor

Annual Mean Salary–In the State of Wyoming

• Attorneys: $74,690 - $107,120
• College Instructors: $36,330 – 54,000
• Librarians: $50,870 – $55,100
• Museum curators: $34,580 – $47,200
• Museum technicians: $36,250 - $41,350
• Paralegals and legal assistants: $37,740 – $46,770
• Secondary School Teachers: $$57,910 - $65,040
• Reporters: $29,270 – $38,300

Annual Mean Salary –National Average

• Attorneys: $144,230
• College Instructors: $83,990
• Historians: $66,380
• Librarians: $61,530
• Museum curators: $53,280
• Museum technicians: $53,280
• Paralegals and legal assistants: $54,500
• Secondary School Teachers: $64,230
• Reporters: $60,530

Additional Resources in seeing if this is the right career path for you! [eg, National Associations]

American Historical Association

Western Historical Association

Wyoming Historical Society

Political Science is a broad discipline, comprising a sizable number of sub-fields and specialties.  In general terms, however, a keen interest in observing and seeking to understand human societies, individuals, groups and institutions may be considered important prerequisites for the study in political science.  Additionally, both written and verbal communication are essential skills for success in the academic and professional worlds where a degree in political science may be applied. Moreover, those who enjoy learning a variety of research methods will do well in the discipline as well as occupational settings.

A Political Science Associate of Arts degree opens doors for students into further, more advanced areas of study, as well as professional application in a variety of career settings, including: social science education (at all levels); journalism; law; public and civil service (local, national, and international); governmental and non-governmental organizations (local, national, and international); public opinion and other social science research and analysis institutions; among others.

Although some professions may require a doctoral degree in political science, a master’s degree or bachelor’s degree is sufficient for many positions.  According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for political scientists was $117,570.  Employment of political scientists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2018 to 2028, as fast as the average for all occupations.

Possible Careers

Degrees in Sociology offer graduates a wide range of possible career opportunities. For example,

social worker	news reporter	researcher
public/human relations specialist	college/university instructor	case manager
substance abuse/addition counselor	community developer	labor unions representative
librarian	paralegal/lawyer	immigration services specialist
city planning	waste management firms	consulting firms

 

Earnings, Job Market, and Employment Potential

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wages in the U.S. is $38,640. The median earnings for those with Sociology degrees is $82,050 with the highest 10% earning $140,430. The job market for those with Sociology degrees is expected to grow 9-23%. The vast majority of Sociology majors are employed within one year after obtaining their degree. Jobs are available across the country, including in Wyoming. Most people with a Sociology degree work full time during regular business hours.

• Bureau of Labor Statistics- Sociology Jobs
• Bureau of Labor Statistics- Other Sociology-Related Jobs
• Jobs and Job Information in Wyoming

 

Professional Organizations

Professional organizations are a great place to start when trying to learn more about a discipline and finding a career. These professional associations for Sociology have more resources available and can help you plan for the future:

American Sociological Association

Rural Sociological Society

The American Society of Criminology

National Social Science Association

Western Social Science Association

International Sociological Association

How to Become a Social Worker

Social workers need a bachelor’s degree in social work. Clinical social workers must have a master’s degree and 2 years of post-master’s experience in a supervised clinical setting. Clinical social workers must also be licensed in the state in which they practice. Learn More. 

Job Outlook

Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will be driven by increased demand for health care and social services, but will vary by specialization.

Possible Job Titles: 

If you do not plan on continuing your education with a BSW, an associate degree in social work is a good launching point for a number of jobs in the field. Some examples include:

• Case Management Aide
• Community Outreach Worker
• Gerontology Aide
• Intake Specialist
• Social Work Assistant
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Probation Officer
• Victims Advocate Associate

Potential Salary

In May 2018, the National median annual wage for social workers was $49,470. The median annual wage for social workers in Wyoming was $56,620.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social Workers,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm (visited January 03, 2020).