What Do Anthropological Practitioners Do? Analyzing Professional Practice in Chile to Inform Curriculum Design in Anthropology

ABSTRACT Schools of anthropology worldwide are increasingly challenged to support their graduates’ career development. Yet most undergraduate and graduate programs continue to prioritize academic knowledge and skills, often sidelining applied and practicing anthropology. This research elaborates a comprehensive list of skills and competencies to inform a critical reevaluation of anthropological training. Drawing on semi‐structured interviews with 30 Chilean practicing anthropologists, it examines their educational and professional trajectories. The findings highlight that “proving one's value” and cultivating “a professional self” are crucial skills. While the anthropological gaze remains a core asset, it requires complementation by new competencies that respond to the demands of non‐academic settings. Although focused on the Chilean context, the study offers insights relevant for curricular design in anthropology programs facing similar challenges globally.