Jordyn Marlin Patrick '16

Major: History
Hometown: Tarpon Springs, FL

Describe your current job role:

My official job title is: Field Archaeologist and Membership Administrator for Archaeology Scotland. I act as the primary interface for all public and internal enquiries, managing a majority of Archaeology Scotland’s information service (website, e-newsletters, annual publications, etc.), and providing support for those members of staff and Board engaged in implementing Archaeology Scotland core functions and projects. I manage all of Archaeology Scotland’s membership subscriptions and as well as assist in arranging summer school programs, lectures, and guided tours for our members. I attend various events in partnership with educational organizations to promote historical conservation and heritage preservation. I also work as a field archaeologist, assist in supervising community excavations, metal detector surveys, post-excavation artefact preservation and cataloguing, and educational training.

What professional experience(s) did you have prior to your current job role?

Prior to working for Archaeology Scotland I had worked as an office administrator and warehouse manager for a family company called Radiographic Engineering Inc. I began my archaeological training in 2014 on an excavation in Ireland and returned the next summer as a teaching assistant and supervisor. I also took up an internship working for the Palm Beach County Historical Society assisting in archival research and curatorial duties at the local county museum. Through a further connection I took up a second internship with the local Palm Beach county archaeologist, assisting in post excavation work and site surveys. Through the Frederick M. Supper Honors Program I was able to study abroad at Oxford University which greatly aided in my further studies and research agenda. Following my abroad experience, I used my newfound research techniques and had two academic papers published as well as presented at several conferences.

What do you know now that you wish you had known about being a working professional?

Networking is a big part of being a working professional. I wish I had taken more opportunities to attend conferences and seminars as a student to meet with people in my career field.

"PBA, and especially the Frederick M. Supper Honors Program, helped provide me with a sense of academic and professional discipline."

How did PBA prepare you for the world of work?

PBA, and especially the Frederick M. Supper Honors Program, helped provide me with a sense of academic and professional discipline. The faculty at PBA played the biggest part in my life as they not only encouraged me in my academics but also in opportunities that would behoove me as a professional. Without their guidance and motivation I would not be where I am today or have accomplished as much.

What advice would you give to current PBA students and/or young alumni who are about to start their first professional full-time job?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and don’t be afraid of criticism. With every application and interview process you learn more about yourself as well as what is required in your field of work. Also don’t be afraid to ask questions. You are a student or recent graduate and you won’t be expected to have the knowledge of someone who has been in the business 10+ years. Lastly, find a mentor who can help guide and push you to be the best you can be.

Have you been mentored by anyone in your professional field since entering the workforce? If so, what impact has that had on you?

I have had a wonderful mentor in Dr. Gary Poe. It is due to his encouragement and direction that I explored the field of archaeology and altered my educational and career path as a result. He continues to be a wonderful mentor who I know I can always turn to with academic, personal, or professional questions. I also have another mentor from my graduate university, whose research aligns quite similarly to mine and he has been able to advise me on how to further pursue the next level of postgraduate research as well as how best to prepare applications and proposal to further fund my academic and professional endeavors. I believe mentorship is a highly valuable relationship to have in any aspect of life, whether personal, professional, or academic.