Not a typical anthro student

[jessiebee]

So I should start with a little background. I attended undergrad at a prestigious university and I started doing research on responses to climate change while there I graduated with at BS in Environmental Science. I liked doing research and so I continued and eventually applied for and began a PhD in biology at a big southern university with a very well known advisor right after graduating. This all sounds great except, during undergrad I had a classes in geology and history of life where I was completely enthralled. I sort of ignored at the time because I was on a PhD track in biology and I didn't want to create any bumps in the road. Over the next two years I've been in my PhD program just going along and doing fine, but I'm really unhappy with my research. I love asking questions and doing research, but I can't stand my project/field anymore. I'm realizing that I should have listened to my doubts previously about this field of research.

I've kept up with the what's going on in the paleoanthropology world a bit and I'm constantly checking out programs and the cool research that people are doing. I am trying to figure out the best course of action, and if I work my butt off I could complete my PhD in another 2.5 years at which I'll only be 27 years old. At that point how could I try and either go back to school for find a way to switch fields? Or do I just leave now and try to get a MS in biology with one more semester? It's a little more complicated as I can't leave my geographical area because my husband is a PhD student in biology here at our current institution as well. Or is it hopeless as I didn't have much anthro training as an undergrad and should I just try and focus on something else (I'm just curious as to what the bioanthro culture is as far as non traditional tracks)?

So what do you guys think, is it too late for me?

[samjones]

i don't think you need to have had a background in anth, even with your interest in paleoanth. i think your background and obvious strength in biology would be sound enough for you to have a chance at being admitted to a paleoanth program.

i say this though not knowing whether there are field experiences or other experiences that you should have had/should have in preparation for competing against others with similar/comparable experiences. for example, i've noticed that non-cultural anths have often worked really hard to get field experience before they are competitive for phd programs. so maybe (in either scenario of you completing the phd or simply earning the MS) you'll want to look into the experiences other paleoanth applicants have before they apply to phd programs.

[ilikebones]

Is there any possibility of your biology research being crossable into a bioanthro post doc?

[inca2011]

I'm a paleoanth student, and I got into a handful of great programs. I didn't have any field experience but did have a lot of research/lab experience, and good grades/GREs. A biology background is a great boon to paleoanth programs, because it's so difficult to find anthropology students with a solid science background. However, paleoanthropology is not geology/history of life. You should look into paleoanthropology specifically if you haven't already. There are many ways to approach it (paleoenvironment, archaeology, skeletal anatomy/fossils, genetics, behavior, etc. etc.) and each can be tedious if you don't love it. Maybe you should take some classes, if you can, or audit some anthropology classes. If you don't know specifically what type of thing you want to do, it'll be more difficult to get into programs or even choose what programs to apply to.

I would suggest that you finish your masters at least, so that you do not come out empty handed. Finishing a PhD you hate won't be worth your time. I also think it's easier to switch PhD programs if you haven't yet completed a PhD. It'll be easier to get funding and get accepted, and having a masters degree always looks good. Maybe the best thing is to finish your biology MS and then do an anthropology MA/MS if you can, so you get a basic anthropology grounding and get to do some basic research.

[jessiebee]

I'm a paleoanth student, and I got into a handful of great programs. I didn't have any field experience but did have a lot of research/lab experience, and good grades/GREs. A biology background is a great boon to paleoanth programs, because it's so difficult to find anthropology students with a solid science background. However, paleoanthropology is not geology/history of life. You should look into paleoanthropology specifically if you haven't already. There are many ways to approach it (paleoenvironment, archaeology, skeletal anatomy/fossils, genetics, behavior, etc. etc.) and each can be tedious if you don't love it. Maybe you should take some classes, if you can, or audit some anthropology classes. If you don't know specifically what type of thing you want to do, it'll be more difficult to get into programs or even choose what programs to apply to.

So the way I've been thinking of it is like this, currently my research is on responses (adaptation/evolution, range shifting, plastic changes) due to climate change in insects which has led me to some fascinating things and wondering how humans/hominids have adapted to climate changes in the past. In general I'm really interested in hominid evolution, specifically issues of local adaptation. It would be awesome if I could use my current evolutionary background to help make the jump into human evolution, but I haven't really heard of anyone who has done that. I feel a bit like I am in such a weird place because I'm not jumping completely out of my field, but yet I am hoping to make a sort of big switch into a more anthro themed field. Perhaps those who are further along in their PhD might know if it's even possible to take a postdoc with a strong evolutionary background, but in a different system? I don't think I could see my advisor taking on a post doc who previous research varied from what he is currently working on. I'm not to hopeful that something like this could work out.

[inca2011]

So the way I've been thinking of it is like this, currently my research is on responses (adaptation/evolution, range shifting, plastic changes) due to climate change in insects which has led me to some fascinating things and wondering how humans/hominids have adapted to climate changes in the past. In general I'm really interested in hominid evolution, specifically issues of local adaptation. It would be awesome if I could use my current evolutionary background to help make the jump into human evolution, but I haven't really heard of anyone who has done that. I feel a bit like I am in such a weird place because I'm not jumping completely out of my field, but yet I am hoping to make a sort of big switch into a more anthro themed field. Perhaps those who are further along in their PhD might know if it's even possible to take a postdoc with a strong evolutionary background, but in a different system? I don't think I could see my advisor taking on a post doc who previous research varied from what he is currently working on. I'm not to hopeful that something like this could work out.

I think you may be able to find those kinds of opportunities but they'll be rare, or you'll have to work for them. It'd probably be easier to switch before your PhD, is my guess, but it's not impossible to switch after. I know a few people who have switched fields post-PhD, and some who have pursued an anthropology PhD after doing a degree and working in another field. Your background would definitely be great in many ways, but at the same time there are a lot of specifics about human evolution you'd have to learn. This is the kind of place where you may be able to find a suitable postdoc: http://www.eva.mpg.de/evolution/

[GutLogic]

So the way I've been thinking of it is like this, currently my research is on responses (adaptation/evolution, range shifting, plastic changes) due to climate change in insects which has led me to some fascinating things and wondering how humans/hominids have adapted to climate changes in the past. In general I'm really interested in hominid evolution, specifically issues of local adaptation. It would be awesome if I could use my current evolutionary background to help make the jump into human evolution, but I haven't really heard of anyone who has done that. I feel a bit like I am in such a weird place because I'm not jumping completely out of my field, but yet I am hoping to make a sort of big switch into a more anthro themed field. Perhaps those who are further along in their PhD might know if it's even possible to take a postdoc with a strong evolutionary background, but in a different system? I don't think I could see my advisor taking on a post doc who previous research varied from what he is currently working on. I'm not to hopeful that something like this could work out.

I think if you can make a good case for yourself, you can absolutely make the transition. I have a biology background, but got accepted into a really good PhD program for biological anthropology. I have never taken an anthropology course, and I don't even have that strong an evolutionary biology background. I think what will be important is being able to demonstrate an interest in anthropology in general & knowledge of the field beyond your research interests (even if it's just by reading some books), and being able to connect your background to a research question that the department you're applying to would be interested in. Anyway, I can tell you first-hand that it is possible to make that transition, although when you initially contact faculty or talk to people about it, they may be skeptical. Just don't get discouraged- I almost didn't apply because I thought I didn't have a chance, but I'm so glad I decided to put in that application anyway.

[elunia]

I have met many students with a solid bio background going into phys anth. It definitely serves them well. I had an archaeology background and was still able to make the switch when I applied for PhD programs, but wish I had a more solid science background; I'll be playing catch-up my first couple years! I think you just need to make it clear in your applications how your experience so far led you to your current interests, and to have a specific topic you'd like to research.

The best thing you could do would probably be to talk to profs in the field, they will have the best perspective on this.