Relevant Experience?

[Kniht]

Well... here is my story. Maybe other people can relate.

 

I graduated from anthropology with mediocre grades at a mediocre school, a 3.5 from the University of North Texas, in December of 2012. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of thinking that because my grades were "decent", I was on track to continue on to graduate school. I took classes that I found interesting rather than developing a consistent regional, topical, or theoretical focus. Though I made A's on nearly all of term papers, including 2 ethnographic studies, the topics covered were fairly unrelated, none of them were published or received awards, and I'm no longer satisfied with their quality.

 

As for extra-curricular activities, they are measly. I was one of the initial members of an interdisciplinary student group and I did help them organize and implement a student lead community garden project, but that was only during my senior year. I also got an accredited internship at Opening Doors for Immigration Services my last semester. Throughout school I was struggling financially to make ends meet while still maintaining my grades, even living out of my car for a semester. I don't include that to encourage your sympathy as much as to explicate why I didn't do much else, and felt that taking out more loans to go to a field school was out of the question.

 

As of now, I have just completed a year long apprenticeship, living and working full time on an organic farm. I took this opportunity almost entirely because I assumed my community gardening experience would qualify me for the position. Also, and I admit this with embarrassment, I was naive and thought that perhaps the local food movement had some sort of larger reformative potential. Even still, I learned a lot. It was a great experience, and I never want to do it again.

 

The point of this ramble is that my history of work and research isn't spectacular and doesn't really reflect my research interests. Anthropological works that I find most meaningful is those with political and economic foci. My favorite research project in undergrad was a political economic approach to Argentina's history. I have been looking into programs that list economic anthropology and Latin America as research interests. There are plenty. But does it suffice to admit in my application that I came across this interest late in my Academic career, taking opportunities that I found feasible rather than ones I was truly interested in? Can I make up for it with a solid plan for research in the future?

 

Last point. I just acquired two jobs in order to save up for a Anthropology/Spanish field school in Peru this summer. It's with ECELA. Does anyone recognize it? Is it reputable? Good idea? Are there any better opportunities that you know of?

 

Also, is there anything else I can be doing right now, without any university affiliation, while working 2 jobs, that could improve my chances in applying to grad school next fall? (Im still looking at schools, drafting my application essays, reading everything I can, reworking my term paper on Argentina, studying spanish, and maintaining contact through email with past professors.) 

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and I hope that this thread helps others in a similar position. 

[NOWAYNOHOW]

 

But does it suffice to admit in my application that I came across this interest late in my Academic career, taking opportunities that I found feasible rather than ones I was truly interested in? Can I make up for it with a solid plan for research in the future?

 

 

 

I can't speak to all of your questions, but the advice I got always boiled down to looking forward.  Don't focus on what you should or could have taken; instead, briefly highlight your relevant course and work experience after presenting a cohesive and engaging research plan.  If your proposal demonstrates that you understand the field, and where your work might fit into the field, then committees will focus on what you know, not what you don't know. Develop your plan for graduate school, and don't dwell too much on undergraduate regrets. 

 

I also wouldn't say this seems like you're coming to the discipline late in your academic career.  If you aren't in grad school yet, then it is rather early in your career!  Anyway, I'm several years out of undergrad, and I'm about the average age of people in my MA program applying for the PhD.  I know people in their 40s applying too!  I don't think you need to explain why you are coming to these interests late, but perhaps why you are coming to them at all.  Is there a significant need for further scholarship on your subject?  Does your topic advance research in similar areas of interest?  etc...

 

Hope that helps!

Edited January 3, 2014 by NOWAYNOHOW

[NoSleepTilBreuckelen]

I completely agree with the above advise - and UNT is a really good school! I have several friends who went there for undergad who now have great grad placements and another who went there for a masters and has a cool job (there are all archaeology folks).

 

One piece of advise that I've found helpful is that schools are looking for student who will be happy in and speak highly of their program to others, and one of the best indicators of that is how you speak about the programs and opportunities you've been involved in. I think if you demonstrate confidence in the program/field school/organic farm that you've been involved in that will definitely be a plus in your application and communication with professors.

 

Sounds like a really cool research interest!

[Kniht]

Hey, thank you both! Sounds like solid advice

[mutualist007]

Hey, thank you both! Sounds like solid advice

 

A lot can change including you! Field schools I think are good, but personally, I would favor those that are educational, offer a credit or credential, and those that actively teach. Unfortunately, some "dig" schools do not offer credit, and do not teach. My Neanderthal dig was sort of like that. I thoroughly enjoyed the "experience", but if I had to cost-benefit it, it looks like I paid them so I could help them excavate and lab process material finds. Yes, they provided food and accommodations in a 8-10 to a room hostel, but alone that may have been less had I not opted to pay to work on the team.

 

Interests:

This sounds like an overgeneralized question -- What sorts of topics in the news and media interest you? What do you find yourself talking about or commenting on? Truly, what types of anthro articles can you read and really enjoy? Identify those foci and proceed from there to find your niche.

 

Best of luck!