{"id":2247,"date":"2011-10-20T11:51:53","date_gmt":"2011-10-20T15:51:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/florida\/?p=2247"},"modified":"2011-10-25T17:24:21","modified_gmt":"2011-10-25T21:24:21","slug":"explaining-florida-gov-scott-war-on-anthropology-why-anthropologists-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateimpact.npr.org\/florida\/2011\/10\/20\/explaining-florida-gov-scott-war-on-anthropology-why-anthropologists-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Explaining Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s War On Anthropology (And Why Anthropologists May Win)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Google Image Search \/ Public.resources.org<\/p>

A cat statue found on Key Marco in Southwest Florida.<\/p><\/div>\n

It’s been a rough week for anthropologists with Gov. Rick Scott singling out the field as an inefficient use of higher education budgets.<\/p>\n

Why should taxpayers foot the education bill for an anthropologist who can’t find a job? Scott asked a business group last week. Colleges should “drive” students into science, technology, engineering or math — known as STEM<\/a> — programs, he said.<\/p>\n

“I got accused of not liking anthropology,” Scott said. “But just think about it: How many more jobs do you think there is for anthropology in this state? Do you want to use your tax dollars to educate more people who can\u2019t get jobs? I want to make sure that we spend our money where people can get jobs when they get out.”<\/p>\n

But don’t expect to see anthropologists on street corners holding signs reading “will study social interactions for food” anytime soon.<\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n

Sarah Gonzalez<\/a>\u00a0and I took a look at the issue on Florida public media stations this morning.<\/p>\n

According to federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data, job prospects for anthropologists are nearly as strong as they are for the\u00a0 math and science graduates Scott prizes.<\/p>\n

Scott is correct that math and science jobs dominate the list of the 30-fastest growing jobs<\/a> between now and 2018.<\/p>\n

Biomedical engineers top the list with a bullish 72 percent growth expected. The list also includes skin care specialists, dental assistants and environmental engineering technicians.<\/p>\n

But the difference in job growth between those jobs and anthropologists is slight. Anthropology jobs are expected to grow by 28 percent<\/a>, while computer software engineers and environmental engineering technician jobs will grow by 30 percent<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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