Becoming an expert on a particular culture or region can require many years of study in a particular, often remote, location. This necessitates an extreme resolve, as one may be shut off from any and all communication with the outside world for extended periods of time. Cultural anthropology requires a broad base of knowledge, a strong command of foreign languages, excellent writing and research skills, and a passion for the subject. Formulating and understanding cultural theories requires a solid grasp of history, sociology, science, and linguistics, which means that it takes many years of study, both in the classroom and outside, for an anthropologist to become an expert in her field. A close community Almost all of an anthropologist's professional time is spent with colleagues as they edit and critique each other's work.
Anthropologists also spend a great deal of time writing grant proposals to get research funding.
A necessary evil of the profession is that great discoveries require money, and a researcher must become a professional schmoozer in order to sell the federal government, universities, and private grant-giving organizations on the value of their research. No anthropologist enjoys this process, which takes time away from the part of the job that they love. There is cutthroat competition among researchers for grant money. Aspiring anthropologists must develop a specialty early on. One way of doing this is to spend time as a research assistant for professors.