Anthropology

While anthropology is a multifaceted field, a number of exciting STEM careers fall under the umbrella of physical anthropology. For instance, biological anthropology deals with human evolution and the adaptations of humans to environmental conditions. Biological anthropologists uncover the driving forces that explain human diversity! While many anthropologists are often looking to the past for clues, some biological and cultural anthropologists are working with ecologists to examine the impacts of climate change on human health, land use, and economics. Exploring a career in anthropology requires a storyteller’s talent to follow the clues.

Dendrochronologist

Dendrochronologist

Dr. Seuss’s Lorax spoke “for the trees, for the trees have no tongues” and dendrochronologists have a similar calling. Trees carry the history of a location in their rings and dendrochronologists are skilled at deciphering that history. The tools of dendrochronology are used to pinpoint timing of major events and measure rates of change both in the environment and in works of art and architectural pieces made of wood. It is also used in radiocarbon dating to validate radiocarbon aging for things not made from trees.

Park Ranger

Park Ranger

A park ranger is part naturalist, part teacher, and part public safety officer. The love of the outdoors, curiosity about nature and concern for the changes occurring at the human scale are key characteristics of a park ranger. Photography, music, story-telling, rock-climbing and hiking are all part of the ranger’s working day. Our rangers believe that one must stay curious, ask questions and seek answers.

State Paleontologist

State Paleontologist

As they say, the present is the key to the past. A state paleontologist is looking for those keys to unlock the past of their area. They will survey areas looking for clues of fossil remains to provide insight of what the area was like in the past. They are also involved in identification and conservation of remains uncovered by construction or natural disasters. A keen eye, curiosity, and background in biology and geology are key skills for a paleontologist, along with an appreciation of the outdoors.