When I was introduced to Anthropology in College, I realized it was something I wish to make my career. The holistic approach to Anthropology is appealing, but my aspiration is Ethnoarchaeology. I view anthropology as an outlet for rational ideas and critical thinking about the past and present. The past is often times negatively slanted in favor of a Eurocentric view. Anthropology is more than a discipline it consists of principles such as cultural relativism that I wish to live by. This underlying principle is the feature that makes me want to be an Anthropologist. I also wish to teach Anthropology one day in the classroom. An opportunity such as that would allow me the medium to share my affection for the concepts Anthropology practices.

The training I have received thus far involves all four fields, with an emphasis on archaeology and cultural anthropology. Classes such as African archaeology and Cultural methods have prepared me for work in graduate school. Rethinking Anthropology has also given me insight into changes in thought, but also taught me to look critically at theories. My coursework in Cultural theories have given me insight on the changing thought in Anthropology. The combination of extra courses in archaeology as well as cultural anthropology is important in preparing for Ethnoarchaeology specifically in Africa. Work performed outside the classroom for professors has also equipped me for graduate work. I have completed several community research projects one spanning the course of a year. Both these projects required ethnographic and other field methods. I feel that community interaction is an important aspect in doing research and that the community itself should assist the researcher in reconstructing the past. In graduate school I wish to further my emphasis on both these fields and specialize in Ethnoarchaeology. Given the opportunity I would like to further my lab assistant duties advancing my knowledge of research in Anthropology.

Under the supervision of Dr’s Weedman and Arthur I performed laboratory assistance since the fall of 2005. The duties performed were scanning images taken from field work used for the Gamo Ethnoarchaeological Project. I have also worked for Dr. Sokolovsky, scanning images from past field research involving both European and American research projects.

For graduate work I would like to focus on Eastern and Southern Africa with an interest in architecture and lithics. My areas of focus in anthropology prepare me best for these two areas of interest, but I would like to opportunity to study other communities in both different time periods and geographical areas. Dr. Weedman and Arthur are both Ethnoarchaeologists that work in Southern Ethiopia. Having done lab assistant work for them, is the first step in preparing myself for future work in Ethnoarchaeology in Africa. Being able to perform research in Africa would allow me to satisfy me selfish desire of being one of the few Ethnoarchaeologists that study in that region. People have stereotypes of what African cultures are like as well as many other groups of people.

Ethnoarchaeology will allow me to pursue my goal of making a change in this world. It is a lofty idea, but it is one that I believe I can support best through anthropology. Anthropology is such a diverse field I can choose a number of areas to specialize in. Biased opinions towards other groups of people have provoked me into enacting change through understanding. Particular cultural groups assist researchers in understanding their past. By taking this new found understanding and conveying these interpretations the lack of understanding is diminished if just a little. This insight is a fundamental means in breaking down preconceptions. The receiving of knowledge forces you to think introspectively about your own beliefs and gives you a fresh perspective.

During my time in undergraduate school I have participated in extracurricular activities such as the Anthropology club. As well as performed research outside of the classroom for showcasing in the Tomorrow’s Leaders Symposium.

I hope to pursue my graduate work and earn my Ph.D. in anthropology and continue to perform research as well as obtain a faculty position teaching at the University level. Ethnoarchaeology fulfills both my fondness of working with the community as well as studying the past. It is satisfying to know the ambiguity of the field will always permit further research and understanding. One day I hope to advise politicians in how to reform the education system so that misconceptions can be fixed and show that politicians and academics can work with one another to the benefit of the masses.

It would please me to pursue these goals of graduate work at the University of Florida. The University of Florida offers an excellent graduate program in Anthropology that suits my desire to continue research in Ethnoarchaeology. The African studies program at UF allows me to combine my love of Africa with Ethnoarchaeology. The combination of both these elements will foster my graduate education. I am deeply interested in the Horn of Africa and hope to complete my Ph.D. work in this region. I feel confident that I will meet the goals and standards set by the University and the faculty.