does world need another anthropologist?

Dara Barnett (dara@CCNET.COM)
Mon, 27 Jun 1994 07:36:02 -0700

Hi, I'm a 35 year old returning under-grad student who is taking his
first anthropology course. It's a basic class in cultural anthropology,
yet it's triggering lots of deep thoughts and feelings for me. Reminding
me of very old desires I've had of wanting to accumulate knowledge and
find new ways to help the world become a better place. I feel that I am
a pretty strong thinker. I've done lots of different things for a
living, but have never made a total commitment to one field yet.

So my questions are, is there room in the world for another
anthropologist? I've never done anything in a run-of-the-mill manner. I
could actually have something of substance to offer the field/world, once
my skills have been developed and my degrees have been earned. But am I
entering a field that is saturated? I am just leaving a field that is
saturated in the area that I live (massage therapy). I am hesitant to
put the next 3-5 years into an undergrad and masters program that will
just give me a diploma for the wall and no work to do.

So here's the chance for all of you professionals to sell a greenhorn on
your profession. Tell me why I should become an anthropologist and why I
shouldn't. Please let me know if you would mind my sharing your response
with my classmates. I'm sure your responses could benefit them too.

Thanks for your help.
Dara Barnett
dara@ccnet.com