Expert: Ralph Salier - 7/21/2010

Question
Dear Mr. Sailer,
I am at at a crossroads. I wanted to get an MBA in  Brand Management, because I am interested in a career in  consumer behavior/insights and multi-cultural marketing. Unfortunately,I did not get into school. So now, I am thinking about an M.A. in Business Anthropology, because deep down, I am would rather be studying different cultures and economic patterns.

From your experience, is an MBA a greater value than an MA in Business Anthropology? Also, what is the job market for business anthropologists? Has it been affected adversely by the recession and not hiring as many candidates?

I look forward to hearing back from you

Sincerely,
Esther Nnassanga

Answer
Hi Esther,

An MBA will always serve you better then an MA Business Anth.  Few employers understand the value of a business anthropologist but do understand what an MBA brings to the table.  For the last 30 years, first and formost, I have had to educate employers what an Business Anthropologist can bring to the table that is above and beyond an MBA.  But it has been a long hard road.  

There are new areas of Anthropology that are in their formative stages such as Media Anthropology and Retail Anthropology which may help you focus on your desired area of interest.  One of the formost Retail Anthropologists lives and works in NYC (New York City) is Paco Underhill.  These new fields of Anthropology are being reviewed by the AAA for inclusion and are being defined currently.  

My own area which is "merger" anthropology and "negotiations" anthropology is one of these new fields (now 30 years old) which is only now gaining some recognition.  I am also involved in Human Resources Anthropology more specifically working with in-pats and ex-pats in helping these people to have greater successes in moving from one cultural area to another.  

Has the economy made things difficult, yes.  

I would encourage you to go for the MBA if you can and while doing so, take anthropology courses in modern or existing cultures.

Ralph