UAH History major Colin Coble interned at Tennessee Valley Archaeological Research (TVAR) this summer, applying the historical research and analytical skills he developed through his CAHS education. During his internship, he focused on the analysis and curation side of archaeology, gaining a deeper understanding of the processes involved in artifact preservation and further developing his professional skills in teamwork and adaptability.
About Colin’s Work Experience
“My internship at TVAR taught me the analysis and curation side of archaeology. I learned that it is just as important as the actual finding of artifacts because it means that they will be preserved and can be utilized by generations to come. TVAR also taught me the steps and methods that go into this preservation by showing me the various steps of the analysis and curation of the historical artifacts. The TVAR internship also helped me to grow my professional skills in learning, adaptability, interpersonal skills, and teamwork through the various experiences provided.”
How Colin’s CAHS Education Helped
“My CAHS education assisted in my experiential learning going into this internship by providing me with a basic background in archaeology. I took Cultural Resource Management and Historical Archaeology, both taught by Ben Hoksbergen in previous semesters. These classes gave me an early taste of what happens in curation but also a heavy dose of fieldwork. This helped going into my internship because it allowed me to see the lab/curation side of archaeology and what happens to the artifacts after they have been discovered.”
About Tennessee Valley Archaeological Research
Tennessee Valley Archaeological Research (TVAR) is a woman-owned small business with over fourteen years of experience in cultural resource management (CRM) within the southeastern United States. Offering a broad spectrum of cultural resource management services from archaeological investigations, remote sensing, and architectural surveys to National Register of Historic Places nominations, TVAR is a full-service CRM firm comprised of an experienced and diverse staff with varied interests and expertise. TVAR’s commitment to excellence and customer service has earned us a stellar reputation and a track record of success.
About the History Major
History is the study of human behavior, institutions, and cultures. Students start with general surveys and proceed to specialized electives, with every course designed to build skills in investigating problems and crafting narratives. A required course in historical methods builds expertise in finding, evaluating, understanding, and writing charitably and critically about historical sources. The capstone history seminar allows seniors to write a lengthy research paper based on primary sources. In the process of studying history, you’ll develop useful skills – like research, critical thinking, identifying and explaining trends, considering multiple points of view, and presenting information orally and in writing –that are in high demand by many employers.
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Article By: Nicole McDavid, Career and Internship Coordinator