AAA/CoPAPIA Masters Alumni Survey

Between April and September 2009, AAA and CoPAPIA conducted a broad-reaching MA career survey. The survey was open to those holding Masters degrees in anthropology from a North American institution, awarded anytime before 2008, irrespective of any prior and subsequent degrees.

The overall purpose of the study was to better understand where MAs have gone in their careers; the ways in which alumni have benefited from the knowledge and skills they acquired in their Masters programs; and to gather suggestions, ideas, and feedback on how programs, national associations, and professional groups can best serve their needs. The AAA hopes to expand its utility and professional services to MAs and to provide information to anthropology departments on alignments between their curricula and their students’ future careers.

Background

Each year since 1991, U.S. departments of anthropology have matriculated over 1,000 master’s students annually, yet little information exists from this huge cadre of colleagues about career trajectories, how well Masters programs prepared graduates for the job market, and how anthropological organizations can best meet their needs.

The career and training survey was open to all anthropological sub-fields, and provided the chance for respondents to express where a career in anthropology has led, whether they continue to identify with anthropology, and what feedback they might have to share about career paths.

To ensure its utility, the survey was developed with the cooperation of the Consortium of Practicing and Applied Anthropology Programs (COPAA), whose members are interested in feedback on applied anthropology degree programs. In addition, CoPAPIA developed an Advisory Network of diverse and experienced anthropologists representing departments with Masters programs, MA alumni in a number of different areas, and leadership in AAA/Sections and COPAA, to provide a breadth of perspectives and guidance to the survey process. A steering committee of CoPAPIA members guided the routine management of the survey.

Results Overview

Between May and September 2009, CoPAPIA collected data from 883 survey respondents. The survey was distributed widely through list serves, alumni lists and groups, websites, relevant organizations, and individuals. Respondents were valuable in forwarding the survey information on to colleagues and other alumni. The survey contained 58 numbered questions, plus an optional six stand-alone open-ended questions in a second section. As some of the numbered questions had multiple parts, there were over 125 questions asked on the survey. The average time spent taking the survey was 31 minutes. Most respondents answered most questions. At the end of the survey’s first section, 56 respondents logged off. Another 325 chose to review the six optional open-ended questions, while the rest skipped to the closing pages. Not all of the 325 who reviewed the open-ended questions actually answered any or all of the questions. For example, only 253 provided responses to the first open-ended question. After completing the survey, respondents could, in a second, independent survey, opt to provide their name and email address with a selection of options: to receive a copy of the survey report, to provide their contact information to their alumni groups, local practitioner organization, or AAA database, or to be contacted for further in-depth discussion. The majority of respondents, 595, provided at least an email address and chose one selection. For example, 267 were interested in being contacted for future discussions. Analysis began in September 2009 and the report is expected in early 2010. If you have any questions about the survey, send a message to: MASurvey2009@aaanet.org.

Preliminary Data

Selected data will be released before the final report publication. The data sheet(s) listed below (PDF and Power Point format) are currently available and should be considered preliminary.

Data Sheet 1: Basic Survey Demographics
Data Set 2: Preliminary Report to Anthropology Department Chairs (PP Presented at the 2009 AAA Annual Meeting)
Data Set 3: Association Data (PP presented to the Washington Association of Professional Anthropologists (WAPA) in January 2010)

MA Alumni Survey Steering Committee

Linda Bennett (University of Memphis)
Patricia Ensworth (Harborlight Management Services) 
Shirley Fiske, Chair  (University of Maryland adjunct)

MA Alumni Survey Advisory Network

Drew J. Asson (writer and political consultant)
Elizabeth Bird (University of South Florida)
Keri V Brondo (COSWA survey, University of Memphis)
Mary Odell Butler (University of Maryland adjunct, NAPA President)
Janet Cohen (National Park Service) 
Cathleen Crain, (LTG Associates, Inc.) 
Bill Doelle (Desert Archaeology, Inc.)    
Ruthbeth Finerman   (University of Memphis)  
Jack Garrett (Homeless Coalition of Hillsborough County, FL)  
Bob Harman (NAPA Masters survey [2000], Cal State University Long Beach, ret.)  
Barbara LeMaster (Cal State Univ. Long Beach)
Janet Levy (UNC Charlotte, Archaeology Division President)    
Ed Liebow (Battelle)  
Ellen Marakowitz  (Columbia University)   
Erika Martin-Seibert (National Park Service)      
Kimber Haddox McKay (University of Montana)  
Barbara Miller (George Washington University)
Liz Pulver (General Motors) 
Alicia Re Cruz (University of North Texas)   
Paul Shackel (University of Maryland)   
Robert Trotter (University of Northern Arizona)  

Other key individuals: 

Terry Redding (survey coordinator, Beta Development Associates, Inc.)
Kathleen Terry-Sharp (Director, AAA Academic Programs)
Jona Pounds (AAA Program Coordinator)