He then worked for several years at publishing companies in New York City and as a freelance writer before beginning his study of Chinese and Sinology.
After receiving his Ph.D. in 1969, Keightley was selected to replace Woodbridge Bingham (1901–1986) as professor of East Asian history at the University of California, Berkeley.
In 1995, the American Sinologist Edward Shaughnessy stated that Keightley "has done more to introduce the depth and breadth of early China's oracle-bone divination to Western readers than any [other] scholar.
[7] Keightley's career into research on Chinese society and oracle bone inscription began with his dissertation "Public Work in Ancient China: A Study of Forced Labor in the Shang and Early Chou".
It "Examines the Shang and Zhou states' control of labor resources, namely the 'comprehensive system of labor mobilization in which the same conscripts were sent to fight, clear and farm the land, build city walls and buildings, and work at the sundry tasks of production and manufacture required by the ruling class.'"
This study of oracle-bone inscriptions helped to increase understanding of the ideologies and administrative practices of the Shang Dynasty.
[8] Along with his novels and collections of essays, Keightley also wrote articles for many academic papers, studies, encyclopedias, historical journals, and several other publications.
[9] From his studies, Keightley also made ten volumes of oracle bone inscriptions that are still used to debate facts about the period of the Shang kings.
[9] Keightley dedicated his time and this research to improve the authenticity, accuracy, and the ability to reproduce these inscriptions.