Annette Burns ’19

Sandford, MI

Anthropology, Program of Emphasis

I participated in the Caherconnel Archaeological Field School in County Clare, Ireland.

I learned so much about archaeology and excavating. I know that it is something that I would love to do after graduation. The field school will set me apart from others when I apply for a job or grad school. At the field school I learned how to survey monuments, how to describe them and how to take levels and use a total station. I also learned how to catalogue and draw artifacts, a skill that will set me apart in when applying for internships or jobs. But most important, I learned that archaeology is the right field for me, I know because even when it was cold and raining, and all we were finding was rocks and dirt, there wasn’t anywhere else I would rather be. 

The skills I have acquired will help me to get an internship or job at a museum or another archaeological dig. I know archeological field work is a career I would like to pursue, and I now have the basic skills and two professors in Ireland who have offered to write me a recommendation. All of this will help me when applying for grad school and for jobs.

It was so much fun working alongside people who had the same passion for archaeology and history as I do. They are some of the best people I’ve met, and will hopefully continue to keep in contact throughout the years.

I would definitely recommend this field school, or any other field school to other students. It was an eye opening experience that allowed me to experience firsthand what work one actually goes into being an archaeologist.