What do you do with a degree in anthropology?

This is becoming a serious question, in large part thanks to Florida governor Rick Scott. Florida’s gov recently indicated that he’d like to move in a direction (in-step, with Florida’s Republican leadership) and redirect money away from state degree programs that don’t necessarily lead to jobs.

According to Governor Scott:

“If I’m going to take money from a citizen to put into education then I’m going to take that money to create jobs. So I want that money to go to degrees where people can get jobs in this state. Is it a vital interest of the state to have more anthropologists? I don’t think so.”

His comments were also reiterated, when he said of anthropology majors (such as his daughter) that while it is a great degree, they just aren’t necessary in Florida.

Of course the governor’s statements weren’t well received by the American Anthropological Association:

“It is very unfortunate that you would characterize our discipline in such a short-sighted way…. Perhaps you are unaware that anthropologists are leaders in our nation’s top science fields, making groundbreaking discoveries in areas as varied as public health, human genetics, legal history, bilingualism, the African American heritage, and infant learning.”