What does a minor do for you?

I want to one day work in a museum as a Curator, Im going to major in Anthropology, What should I minor in?

• Im a senior in high school right now, and I plan to go to college to get a Bachelor degree in Anthropology but I don't know what I should minor in. Should I minor in Art Criticism/Conservation, History, or Archeology? And also what is a minor, is it a Associates degree, because I want to get a Masters in (Art Criticism/Conservation, History, or Archeology) not just an associates degree. I plan to get a Bachelors in Anthropology and then work to get my Ph.D in Anthropology at a graduate school. And getting in to graduate school is competitive so I need to get a bachelor degree in something else before I apply to a graduate school. So what should I minor in? I really want to work in a Museum hands on, not like a tour guide. I hope to become a curator one day.

• Answer:

  You are all over the place here so I'm going to try and answer this as best I can. If I'm off base in what you are asking please edit your question to clarify. First, if you want to work in a museum then a school with a museum or with a Museum Studies program will help you greatly. If you can't find one that you like both the Anthropology department and that offers a Museum Studies minor see if they have an art history minor. Second, a minor is not another degree. It is a focus or specialization to your primary degree. In addition to minors you could also look in to undergraduate certificates, which are essentially the same thing. An associates degree is usually just the first two years of a four year program. Third, a terminal M.A. degree is not going to help you get in to a PhD program and depending on the program may make it more difficult to get in. With Anthropology you will most likely enter a PhD program in a graduate school right after receiving your bachelors degree. If you come in with a Masters in something other than Anthropology you will most likely have to still do all of the masters coursework for Anthropology. You shouldn't have to pay for it (most graduate schools for Anthropology provide grants to their students) but it will add about 2 years on to your schooling. A bachelors in Anthropology with a graduate degree in Museum Studies is another option as well. The Smithsonian Institute offers some information on Anthropology/Museum Studies degrees and I've included that as a link below. While I usually recommend only planning for 4-5 years at a time, doing your undergrad at a school you are interested in for grad school won't hurt. You will have access to grad students and the department which can not only help you decide if you want to go to that school but also help you get your foot in the door.