Being a part of the Archaeology Southwest field school was vital in jump-starting my career as an archaeologist. I gained experience that helped me realize my love for the field and allowed me to join the workforce right away. – Gabby P., 2021, Glendale Community College
This was my first field experience with comprehensive training in specific archaeological skills, and it was also my first outdoor experience. But through this field school experience, I have been deeply tied with the archaeological field, both spiritually and physically. I have been deeply fascinated by Southwestern desert environment and cultural landscape. This academic adventure reinforced my desire to continue field archaeology. The collective working and studying experience has become one of the most memorable experiences in my career. – Ruijie Y., 2021, University of Arizona
Participating in the field school has been one of the things I appreciate the most as an archaeology student for many reasons. One of them was the opportunity to meet a variety of wonderful people who brought true meaning to what it is to be an archaeologist. As an archaeology student and future lawyer, this has been an extraordinary experience that has given me tools to continue analyzing, studying and reconstructing the past in a diverse, fair, and inclusive way. – Josué C., 2021, University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras
Field school is a very critical portion of any aspiring archaeologist’s academic path as it’s the place where a student can connect all the paper, lab, lecture, and power point dots they learn in the classroom. Archaeology Southwest and U of A have partnered to build a top notch field learning environment with plenty of hands on opportunities and exposure to the many diverse sub fields within archaeology. – Shiloh C., 2018, University of New Mexico, 2018
One of the many things I loved about participating in this amazing field school was learning about the incredible range of disciplines that an archaeologist can specialize in from experts in those fields. I learned more about the opportunities available to both career and research-oriented archaeologists through our discussions with the guest lecturers who came out to see us than I have in any class! – Deianira M., 2018 University of Arizona
The field school was one of the most amazing opportunities I’ve ever had. The variety of perspectives, experiences, and the amazing people I encountered were way beyond what I expected. I learned about topics I didn’t realize I was interested in, like fish bone, and I went to places I never thought I would go, like Chaco Canyon and Zuni. I’ve already used so much of what I learned and I know I will continue to do so throughout my career. – Ashley H., 2017, University of Cincinnati
My time spent with the Archaeology Southwest (ASW) field school in the Upper Gila was priceless. I acquired new skills and techniques, and had experiences that went far beyond excavation and survey. The field school not only provided me with the skill set necessary to be able to enter the field professionally but I also learned how to work with faculty and students from different backgrounds to effectively get the job done. I learned the value of hard work and working well with others during my time with ASW. – Susannah J., 2017, Utah Valley University
The 2017 field season taught me the necessary skills to apply archaeology techniques correctly and ethically. My experience was one of the best of my life. – Stephen U., 2017, Cochise College
I really like public land management and see myself managing public lands that have cultural resources in my upcoming professional career, so I loved when the field school offered me insights for different land management federal agencies through lectures with staff from the BLM, NPS and Forest Service and field trips to these parks. – Daniel A., 2016, University of Michigan
I will gladly carry this experience forward for the rest of my archaeological career. The staff created a relaxed, yet professional learning environment. Our interactions with the local community and guest lectures from academic and CRM archaeologists captured the essence of preservation archaeology. I highly recommend this field school for those wanting to work in the Southwest, who want to understand what it means to be a preservation archaeologist, and who want to work in a collaborative way. – Adam S., 2016, US Naval Academy/University of Arizona
The ASW field school taught me more in six weeks than I think I could have learnt in a lifetime in a classroom. Definitely one of the best experiences I’ve had, and will cherish it for years to come. – Dushyant N., 2015, Vassar College
Not only did I receive my first practical application of the things I was learning in my undergrad program, I gained a whole new insight into how the field of archaeology can be implemented. On top of that, I made lifelong friends who I still stay in contact with. – Alec B., 2015, Northern Arizona University
The 2014 Mule Creek Field School proved to be a great transition between my undergrad and graduate studies, and gave me invaluable contacts in Southwest archaeology. The field school was some of the best weeks of my life and not only did I gain valuable field experience and knowledge, but I got to do it with fellow students who shared the same passions as mine, and under the tutelage of fantastic instructors. – Max F., 2014, Michigan State University
During my time at Mule Creek, I gained a wealth of information and knowledge about preservation archaeology in the Southwest. The staff was encouraging and beyond helpful. The field trips to other archaeological sites helped me form connections to the site we were excavating. My time at Mule Creek not only helped further my knowledge of archaeology, but also provided me with lifelong friendships and a real connection to the Southwest. – Alexandra C., 2014, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
The Archaeology Southwest Preservation Archaeology Field School is the high point of my education thus far, as well as one of the most enriching experiences of my life. Not only does this program offer excellent technical training, but also a robust immersion into Southwest culture–past and present. The staff are experienced archaeologists and committed teachers, and I know that many of the other students will be life-long colleagues. – Aaron T., 2014, University of Hawaii Maui College
2018 Preservation Archaeology Field School students and staff.