Alumni
Past Graduate Students
Past Alumni
The following are quotes from letters received from Penn Staters who majored in anthropology here over the last four decades. These brief biographical accounts reveal some of the many career tracks that a BA or BS in anthropology can make possible. Current and potential majors are encouraged to consult these cases, and alums are encouraged to supply (or update) their own. Current majors should contact the anthropology office if they wish to communicate directly with an alum, many of whom have expressed a willingness to provide practical advice.
"I am now sitting in my new, newly painted office with more shelf and file cabinet space then I know what to do with. I thought I'd write to say hello, but also, I wanted to tell you what a terrific job you have done for the graduate students at Penn State. I had no idea until I got here. The computer lab in the Anthropology Department at IL has very few decent computers. The room is only available for use from 8am to 5pm on weekdays, no evenings and no weekends. No keys are handed out to grad students, or faculty for that matter. Plus, you have to pay $0.10 per page to print. Students only have offices in the dept if they are teaching that semester, so nothing is even remotely permanent in the department for them. I had no idea how terrific we had it at Penn State." (Leslea Hlusko, Penn State PhD, 2000).
"I ended up interning at the Philly zoo in the education department, hoping to get hands on primate experience for grad school. I quickly found out that there was no hands-on experience to be had as an intern, but that I loved the zoo anyway. I got a paid job in the education department also, doing shows and teaching classes about primates (via determination, if nothing else). My boss simply offered a position to me and I accepted. The possibility now is that I will get a keeper position within a year. Hopefully that will work out! I'd have to say that the major itself offered a great liberal arts education. You learn some of the most random facts as an anthropology major. I gained a lot of valuable primate information as well, mostly through my own research for papers/presentations/etc., but also in some classes. I'm definitely the most knowledgeable intern when it comes to primates (thanks to the anthropology dept!). The other valuable experience I've gained in the department has come through the Anthropology Society and Lambda Alpha. Before I became involved in these organizations, my public speaking/people skills were fairly routine. However, I feel very comfortable dealing with various people. It's helped tremendously in my new career. My best advice is to get involved from the get-go. [Your] college experience is what [you] make of it. You can either just go with the flow or you can get involved and make a difference. I'm very glad that I got involved. It really changed my outlook on the whole college experience." (David Johnson, Class of 2000)
"An anthropology graduate degree can take you anywhere. I now travel around the world exploring remote regions searching and excavating for the remains of MIAs. The breadth of knowledge I gained at PSU allows me to converse with North Koreans about economics and political organization, arrange and participate in a Sing Sing and gift exchange in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, or discuss agricultural practices in the mountains of Laos, as well as direct an archaeological excavation that leads to the identification of a missing soldier. It is difficult to imagine another major that could open as many doors." (Jay Silverstein, PhD 2000, Anthropologist with the Central Identification Lab, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, Hawaii)
"(To Prof. Weiss) The vertebrate origins class of fall '97 and meeting Dr. Jefferies (the calcichordate worker) did much for me. I began to realize just how atomized my biological education was. I had to reorder my understanding of a lot of facts to figure calcichordate theory out. It was hard but fun, and it made me realize that I wanted to continue to reorder old concepts and learn new ones as a grad student. Here at ISU, my head spins at the end of each day. I'm doing a lot a conceptual renovation but also a lot of memorization. I've learned that memorization is good only if what's memorized is ordered into some sort of coherent overall picture. It also makes science more fun. I'm trying to impart this idea to my students-- I'm a TA for a cell bio class. I thank you, Dr. Walker, and Dr. Jeffereis for my realization." (Eric Schmidt, Penn State Class of 1998)
"You probably do not remember, but I was a student at PSU who graduated in August 1998. I was interested in studying garments and scarifications on human bodies of different cultures, though I graduated before I got to learn what I really wanted to as an undergrad. Though I've met you only a few times, when I was in a rut trying to figure out what I really wanted to learn, you were very kind to me and gave me really good suggestions. (I remember seeing several paintings of north American natives during a meeting with you. It must've been a memorable moment in my lifetime!) I wonder if much have changed, there at Carpenter building? After graduation, I have come back to Japan and got a job as a translator for a game company. Game and archaeological/anthropological knowledge seems to be completely unrelated, but games use a lot of historical and archaeological information when building up a title! I have seen a (obviously) Maya-inspired stage in a title, and that brought back memories of studying Mesoamerican archaeology at PSU (and a trip I made to the Yucatan). Though this is quite an enjoyable job, I plan to go back to grad school in a couple of years to continue learning anthropology and archaeology. I have not made the choice of which college to go, but I know it is going to be in the U.S. Once I get a chance to visit PSU, I would like to make a visit to Carpenter building and say my thank you to those I have learned so much from! (especially you and prof. D. Webster, among others) Thank you again for providing a great atmosphere to actually "enjoy" studying! (Amanda Jun Katsurada, Class of 1998)."
"I feel that I received a well-rounded education and greatly benefited from studying Anthropology. As an undergraduate, my classes were varied and interesting. My professors were committed to teaching as well as research. Additionally, we got an opportunity to work with graduate students. After college, I greatly appreciated the flexibility the major allowed in choosing courses, as well as the opportunities it offered to get actual research experience. I took advantage of research positions in both the archaeological and biological labs, both of which made me marketable in my post graduation job search. In addition to the importance of research experience, the last time I wrote I emphasized the necessity of integrating computer skills into the curriculum. I am glad to see that the department is committed to this task. This time around, I would like to stress the importance of supporting study of a foreign language. As today's industry becomes more global, I believe that language skills (in addition to computer skills) really set students apart and can open doors to many opportunities." (Jon Wallinger, Penn State Class of 1995).
"The intensive writing and research that I was required to do, especially as a University Scholar writing an Honors Thesis in anthropology, helped prepare me for this position [as an editorial assistant at the Intelligencer-Record]. My training as an anthropology major was critical in preparing me for this [second] position [as a researcher in the non-profit Community Service Foundation]" (Ben Wachtel, Penn State Class of 1995).
"My advice to current and future undergraduates is to get involved with professors in the anthropology department, even ones from your other classes. Let them know who you are, and ask to work on any projects that they might be conducting. I was very happy to see the new research classes (Anth 494 and 294) introduced during my last year at Penn State. Both classes allow students to get the close training they need in preparation for their future careers in anthropology" (Jennifer Esposito, Penn State Class of 1995).
"Get a well-rounded education and you will be prepared. The anthropology professors at Penn State are excellent and you should learn as much as you can from them. Also, take any opportunity you can get for hands-on training, whether it is helping a professor in the lab, doing an internship in the museum, or taking a field school. Of course I am biased, but I strongly recommend working in the Matson Museum. Not only would your help be useful, but you get to know a lot about how the museum works and about the thousands of interesting holdings they have. For students interested in museum jobs or park positions, the best thing you can do is call or visit the sites you are interested in. By speaking directly to the interpreter here, I got a job. Had I gone through the usual method of calling the State Department of Natural Resources, I probably would have been put on hold and missed the opportunity. Also, if you are not sure that this is what you want to do, ask about seasonal jobs or internships. They serve as a great way to get good experience, make some contacts, and figure out if this is right for you" (Tess Wilson, Penn State Class of 1995).
"I have had a change in position at my company, GENE LOGIC INC. I have moved into a position that heads up the newly created band isolation group. Our major focus will be retrieving cDNA fragments that our technology creates and preparing them to be sequenced. These cDNA fragments represent genes that are differentially expressed in different tissue conditions. This information is desirable to pharmaceutical companies and their drug development programs. It is a truly exciting opportunity-it's not often that one gets to develop a new procedure in such a cutting edge field. However, partially due to my exposure here as well as from my experiences abroad, I am interested in pursuing a career in law ( I know, not another lawyer!) My interests lie in international law dealing with intellectual property." (Jon Wallinger, Penn State Class of 1995)
"My advice to students is to search for opportunities to do volunteer work in the department. Students will find that most faculty members are more than willing to train them in a variety of specialized tasks in exchange for volunteer labor. The important thing to remember about students finding volunteer work is that they cannot expect it to fall into their laps. They should approach their teachers and ask if they need any help or know someone who does" (Patricia J. Major, mental health clinic receptionist, Penn State Class of 1995).
"During my job search, it seemed many employers search for well-rounded college graduates. I feel that the flexible undergraduate requirements [at Penn State] allowed me the freedom to accomplish this. However I also believe that one must be focused on their goals. One might opt to take on a second major such as biology in order to increase their attractiveness to potential employers. I think that the department could stress more computer skills as well-most jobs require computer knowledge" (Jonathan Wallinger, Research Associate, Human Genome Sciences, Penn State Class of 1995).
"Upon graduating, I immediately accepted an archaeological field technician position with Archaeological and Historic Consultants, Inc. in Centre Hall, PA. Despite the doubts of family and friends (not to mention over 100 resumes I had sent out), I had managed to find a job in my field! I then sought employment at the Penn State Scanticon Hotel and Conference Center and was given a position as an assistant in the accounting department. Even though I had no previous accounting or business experience, I did very well and was quickly promoted to Accounts Payable Manager. I thoroughly enjoyed this position and working at the Scanticon, but March of 1995, I resigned. After spending my entire life in central Pennsylvania, my curiosity to see and explore the rest of the country had finally gotten the best of me. I found another accounting job in Southern Utah and settled here in April. Shortly after I moved here, a group of local archaeologists and enthusiasts invited me to help organize and participate in an extensive Anasazi excavation in Kanab, Utah. I am realizing that I have the best of both worlds. I have an undergraduate degree in something I absolutely love, which has turned into a fantastic pastime, and I have also developed an interest in a career that not only do I enjoy but will also prove to be profitable for me" (Elizabeth Hoffman, Penn State Class of 1994).
"Since I teach at a community college, the most valuable aspect of Penn State’s graduate program for me has been the 4-field approach. It simply would not be possible to teach the range of courses that I do. Flexibility is a must. I have incorporated a “Service Learning” component into my Introduction to Anthropology classes, something which is relatively new but quickly catching on at all levels of education." (Nan Gonlin, PhD 1993, Bellevue Community College, Bellevue, Washington)
"My specialty is travel writing, and my great love is for foreign cultures. I think my degree in anthropology gives me a richer appreciation for foreign cultures in general, and of course, a greater understanding of those I studied" (Katy Koontz, freelance writer, photographer and editorial consultant in Knoxville, Tennessee, Penn State Class of 1981).
"If I were approaching my undergraduate education in anthropology, knowing what I do now, there are a couple of areas I would hit a little harder:
1. Take courses in administration, particularly ones focused on small business and not-for-profits.
2. Pay close attention to developing communication skills, both speaking and writing.
3. Seek out courses with writing requirements and force yourself to take them.
4. Find practical courses in grant writing if you can.
5. Be as computer literate as you can.
6. Take internships if at all possible.
7. Learn how to do research, whether it be through writing papers, building exhibits in the museum, or working in a lab or a field project.
These are the things that come to mind when I look back fifteen years" (Ted Holland, Penn State Class of 1979).
"I do feel that I received an excellent education at Penn State. Unfortunately, the Anthropology courses I enjoyed so much, came of naught. I suspect that had I chosen a more marketing oriented course of study, I may have found myself in the same self-employment situation that I am in today, but without the struggle of mastering the basics I should have known" (Carol Malkin, Corporate Art Resources, Penn State Class of 1978).
"It’s now over 30 years [since my undergraduate days] and anthropology is still useful as we attempt culture change interventions for practices, groups, and individuals. Mostly they are physicians or health professionals, but sometimes they are other professionals dealing with the culture shock of changing values and a clash of expectations. As an advocate for well-being for humans (professionals) we have had our share of discounting by social science colleagues, and yet still find anthropology a very useful base to help other people in distress." (John-Henry Pfifferling, PhD 1977, Center for Professional Well-Being, Durham, NC)
"After graduating with a BA degree in anthropology I worked as a route salesman for a wholesale food distributor for two years. [I] returned to college (Indiana Univ. of Pa.) for approximately one year to obtain a BS degree in secondary social studies, to be certified to teach public school in Pa. A former administrator of Altoona School District noticed in my school records that I also had a degree in anthropology at a time when the district was looking to expand the number of electives offered. He suggested that I transfer to the high school to start an elective course in anthropology. I have been teaching a world studies course and an introductory anthropology course at Altoona High School [since then]" (Paul Carlson, Penn State Class of 1977).
"It was always my intention to attend law school. I thought that the study of anthropology, and specifically archeology, would assist me. I encourage anyone who is interested in obtaining a well grounded liberal arts education which will enable him or her to go on to graduate school, professional school, or to enter the private sector to look into the Anthropology Department at Penn State" (Peter Rossi, Cozen and O'Connor Law Offices, Penn State Class of 1976)
"I do have some advice for both the anthropology student and the Anthy department at Penn State:
1. Map out your career. Actually list on paper what you want to do with your life and research what it will
take to accomplish that.
2. List your priorities.
3. Take responsibility.
4. Take a dual major, or minor in a field that lends itself easily to the anthy student.
5. In whatever field you decide to concentrate on after graduating, avoid the office politics and petty bickering. It occurs everywhere" (Ed Doyle, Penn State Class of 1975).
"My functional responsibilities have included sales, marketing, field operations, global product management, corporate business development and strategic alliance formation. My professional career [as the owner and manager of several companies] has enabled me to work with people from all over the globe and to conduct business in eighteen different countries. The foundation for interaction provided by my education has been crucial for my comfort and success in dealing with this caldron of perspectives. The anthropological emphasis on cultural imperatives, social structure biases and linguistic influences has served me well" (Michael George, Penn State Class of 1973).
"I have often told people that I thought Anthropology was one of the best majors you could have if you were planning a career in marketing; to be a good marketer you need to get into the other person's thought process and out of your own. I went on to Citicorp and spent 20 years there, 15 as a Vice President. Most of my best fellow managers majored in non-business fields as undergrads" (Nancy Goodman, Penn State Class of 1972).
"I have to say that my Anthropology degree was more useful to the practice of medicine than any of my Science degree courses" (Daniel C. Postellon, M.D., Assoc. Prof., Wayne State University Medical School, Penn State Class of 1970).
"At decision time, toward the end of my sophomore year, I added up what credits I had and calculated the shortest route to a degree. Any majors with pure sciences or math were out. Anthropology got the nod. This is not pretty, but true. The aspects of my career that benefited most from a degree in Anthropology were international sales and marketing efforts" (William S. Cope, Vice-President--Operations, Valquip Corporation, Penn State Class of 1970).
"Due to the efforts of excellent educators at the high school level, I came to Penn State in pursuit of an education, not of vocational training, although I certainly hoped to spend my life as an archaeologist. I did learn some marketable skills... Perhaps "where we are now" is more a function of the sort of people attracted to anthropology than of the effects of an anthropological education. I hope the current crop of would-be anthropologists have not become a conservative, materialistic, mundane lot! God forbid that education be reduced to the creation of little units of production and consumption!" (Lynn Ellen Dixon, Residential Services Aide, Laurelton Center, Penn State Class of 1970).
"What I brought from Penn State was the ability to multiprocess, research a variety of topics and write long detailed analyses which not only brought me A's at Penn State, but brought me good research, study and writing skills [at] the Duquesne University School of Law" (David S. Pollock, Partner with Reed Smith Shaw & McClay, Pittsburgh, Penn State Class of 1970).
"In spite of the fact that I was an abysmal undergraduate I received a good education. I went on to get an MS (180) and Ph.D. (1984) in plant physiology/horticulture and in 1984 accepted an Extension Specialist position specializing in subtropical tree fruit crops with the Department of Pomology at University of California at Davis. My undergraduate anthropology training gave me a grounding and an outlook that have greatly enhanced my current profession" (Louise Ferguson, Penn State Class of 1969).
"I am a graduate of Penn State and my major was cultural anthropology. I have always been interested in learning about people and cultures from around the world. About a year ago I came upon an enjoyable way to earn a living, which also allowed me to pursue my field of interest. I am a salesperson for one of the largest vacation ownership resorts in the world. My advice to students considering cultural anthropology as a major is to do what you love. If you love your work you'll be loved by all those who want their work to be more than a job. Being yourself and loving what you do opens doors. Sincerity and love of your work are virtues that are welcome and respected." (Bob Oakes).
