The chart below shows what Anthropology graduates from one university did after finishing their undergraduate degree course. The table shows the salaries of the anthropologists in work after five years.

The chart below shows what Anthropology graduates from one university did after finishing their undergraduate degree course. The table shows the salaries of the anthropologists in work after five years.

This essay question is from Cambridge IELTS 15 Test 4 Writing Task 1.

Destination of Anthropology graduates (from one university)

Salaries of Anthropology graduates (after 5 years’ work)

Sample Essay

The pie chart illustrates the career paths of one university’s Anthropology graduates after completing their undergraduate degree, whereas the table provides data on the annual salaries of those who secured employment, five years into their careers.

Overall, the largest proportion of graduates obtained full-time jobs, while relatively few pursued postgraduate study. In terms of earnings, government employees and freelance consultants were more likely to reach the highest salary brackets compared with those working in the private sector.

Slightly more than half of the graduates (52%) entered full-time employment, while 15% worked part-time and 12% were unemployed. Smaller segments pursued further education: 8% enrolled in full-time postgraduate study, and 5% combined study with part-time work.

Turning to salary outcomes after five years, 80% of freelance consultants and the same proportion of government employees earned at least $75,000 annually, with half of each group exceeding $100,000. In contrast, only 55% of private-sector employees earned above $75,000. At the lower end, just 5% of consultants and government staff earned $25,000–$49,999, compared with 10% in the private sector.