What can you do with a Master's in Anthropology and Development Studies?
The ADS Master’s programme offers students a unique skill set that prepares them for a broad range of jobs. These skills are based on a combination of an open, investigative and reflective attitude, sociological imagination, theory-driven analysis of diverse life worlds, inequality and power, and the capacity to weigh the necessity and possibility of interventions in a pragmatic way. At the end of this Master's you are capable of conducting your own research, know how to find your feet in diverse settings, assess and analyse complex situations and communicate your findings to various audiences.
After your studies
Possible jobs are that of a policy officer, advisor, or researcher for the central or local government, an advisor at aid, welfare and civil society organisations such as the UN, Cordaid or the Dutch Council for Refugees, a researcher at a university or NGO, trade union, consultancy firm or private institution or as a journalist or communication officer.
Possible occupations
- Policy officer
- Journalist
- Communication officer
- Scientific researcher
Careers to inspire
What happens after graduating from the Master's programme in Anthropology and Development Studies? Phebe Kloos likes to tell you how she got a job after graduating:
I have gained a broad knowledge within the anthropological field. Many of these principles help me every day in my government work.
- Previous education
- Communication (Fontys Hogeschool) and Pre-Master's Anthropology and Development Studies (Radboud University)
- Programme
- Anthropology and Development Studies
- Study end date
Gijs Gooren was a Master's student in Anthropology and Development Studies (Decolonising diversity in a polarised world) at Radboud University.
What knowledge and skills did you learn during your Master’s that are really useful to you now?
First of all, during my Master’s I learned a lot about myself. By doing long-term fieldwork, I was confronted with my strengths and weaknesses a number of times. It helped me to become a professional and it gave me a lot of joy as well.
Second, in much anthropological literature, researchers argue for interdisciplinary collaboration between different fields. It seems that this idea is also starting to spread in the government world. More and more people from different fields are sitting together at the table. As an anthropologist, I will always insist on this interdisciplinarity. During my pre-Master’s and Master’s I chose a broad set study courses. As a result, I have gained a broad knowledge within the anthropological field. Many of these principles help me every day in my government work. The topics addressed in anthropology are reflected in my work. I find that very nice and interesting.
What did you find most challenging in your Master’s? Did you encounter any obstacles?
For me the most challenging part of my (pre-)Master’s was the COVID-pandemic. A lot of classes were cancelled due to COVID. As a result we had to follow classes at home and I didn’t really connect with my fellow students on a theoretical level. It was very difficult for me to familiarise myself with the theoretical debates, because I hardly spoke about them (informally) with fellow students.
During my Master's, we were allowed to come to the university more and more often, so I also noticed that I got more feeling for and with the theoretical debates. Although this was getting better and better, I always felt a lag in this area.
Could you say a little about the job you have now ?
At the moment I work at the municipality of Bladel. This is a small municipality in the region of Eindhoven. The region is well-known for their high-tech sector and rural landscape. My function is policy officer energy transition. In this function I work together on a more abstract level in the region. Together with other organisations, we are trying to initiate the energy transition. So, this means that I work with people from all sorts of backgrounds. Just like during my Master’s.
In one project we try to develop an ‘energy system of the future’ on a business park. We are realising a so-called energy hub in a collaboration between the municipality, companies and the network operator. The main goal is to unlock the companies as a collective from the energy network and to develop their own self-sufficient energy system. Although this sounds very technical, it is mainly a social innovation because companies have to work together. It is not so much self-interest that comes first here, but societal interest.
In another project we are trying to develop an ecozone in combination with energy generation from solar panels, close to the highway. In this project, several disciplines come together with one major goal: combating climate change. I really like that core aspects of the study and literature come back in my work.
What do you like about your profession and what makes working in your field so interesting and/or relevant?
The social relevance is something that makes me happy every day. In addition, I get to participate in projects that are decisive for our future. I find this very challenging, so I enjoy going to work every day.
Do you have any tips/suggestions for prospective students?
Do something that makes you smile.
Read the research from the Mulier Institute that Gijs contributed to during this Master's programme:
Coronamaatregelen en sociale ongelijkheid in het amateurvoetbal
Towards your graduation
The Master's programme in Anthropology and Development Studies (ADS) helps to prepare you for the job market after your graduation. The programme offers multiple small-scale workshops organised together with the study association, in which several alumni are invited for presentations, speeddates and a round table discussion. You can in this way come into direct contact with ADS alumni who are working in this field, and receive unique tips and tricks to kick-start your career.
Continue learning, even after your Master's
Do you want to continue learning after graduating Anthropology and Development Studies? You can combine working and studying with the post-initial Master’s Global Challenges from the Radboud Centrum Sociale Wetenschappen. This programme offers you a traineeship in which you will work four days a week at an organisation in the field of sustainable development and international cooperation, and have training one day a week at Radboud University. This way you will combine practice and theory and learn how to make impact as a professional in fields such as sustainability, poverty, healthcare, or policy. Learn more about this post-initial Master's to become a change-agent!
Radboud Career Service
You can always contact the Radboud Career Service or the Faculty of Social Sciences. The Career Service offers students and young alumni guidance and support as they venture into the labour market. Career Service is available for career guidance, job application tips or if you require information about internships and job vacancies.