Though I came to Florida to visit family, I believe I have found answers to my personal search.  I have tried to start a career and find my way but I have not been able to further myself personally and professionally.  Conversely, though I only had a few weeks in central Florida, I have seen opportunities, made goals, and have felt more settled here than in the last two years in my home town.  I have made the goal to move to Florida this year,  October at the latest.

I am independent and goal-oriented though instinctual of when changes need to be made.  I bring this into my career, in which I have over two years of field experience.  My priority is creating an atmosphere conducive for teamwork because the most work gets done, and most successfully, when colleagues help each other.

I look forward to meeting you. 

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Rachel Blaasch

Rachel Blaasch

E-mail: rachelblaasch@gmail.com

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

·     Leadership/Management

·     Oversaw a small crew and field school students to complete various surveys and excavations

·     Supervised meetings for the creation, management, and analysis of goals

·     Organized a system for field work documentation and transferring artifacts to lab

·     Established field laboratory procedures

·     Excavation skills

·     Excavated Phase I, II, and III prehistoric and historic sites along USA’s east coast

·     Utilized excavation techniques, such as dry and wet screening, labeled artifacts for lab processing, completed field forms, classified stratigraphy with Munsell charts, and mapped

·     Public Archaeology/Creative Skills

·     Greeted and interpreted archaeology sites for visitors

·     Developed displays about the process of archaeology, starting from research and moving to surveys, analysis, and Phase II and III excavation

·     Museum Work

·     Catalogued ceramics

·     Archived recently accessioned items and artifacts

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Public Archaeology Intern George Washington's Ferry Farm, Fredericksburg, VA,  May 2007 – Sept 2007

·     Presented to visitors the Phase III excavation of George Washington’s boyhood home

·     Taught small teams of field school students excavation skills

·     Developed a display explaining the changing landscape of George Washington’s property from Native American to modern times and another about the process of archaeology from research and surveys to excavation

Supervising Field Archaeologist    Magnolia Plantation    Charleston, SC     January 2007 – April 2007

• Oversaw a small crew of a  survey and Phase II excavation of the slave-occupied area of a historical plantation
• Created and organized a system for field work documentation and transferring artifacts to lab
• Established a laboratory system and set up procedures for washing, cataloguing, and storing artifacts for a small two-person lab
• Analyzed and designed a map from the survey’s notes to concentrate the Phase II efforts
• Completed daily paperwork, cataloguing, and mapping
• Informed visitors about archaeology, the role of survey, and the evidence of slaves

Field Technician     Public Archaeology Facility, Binghamton University Binghamton, NY      October 2006 – December 2006

·     Excavated Phase I, II, and III prehistoric and historic sites in various New York State locations

·     Completed field forms with maps, stratigraphy, photography and associated Munsells

Public Archaeology Intern George Washington's Ferry Farm Fredericksburg, VA  May 2006 - Sept 2006

Field Technician     Cultural Resources, Inc Frederick, Maryland March 2006 – April 2006

• Surveyed Phase I projects in Leesburg, VA and Fredericksburg, VA and completed associated paperwork
• Completed shovel tests on both a laid-out grid and with a compass

Field Technician     New South Associates    Miami, FL      Dec 2005 - Feb 2006

·     Excavated a Phase II and III prehistoric and historic sites, opposite the Miami circle, including a Tequesta Indian burial ground, a fort from the Seminole Wars, and the Flagler Hotel

·     Mapped burials, identified artifacts, and photographed units

·     Independently completed field forms with maps and associated Munsell stratigraphy

Field Student   Expedition to Idalion, Cyprus   Dali, Cyprus         June 2004 – August 2004

·     Learned excavation skills (transit, mapping, Munsell, stratigraphy) in Dali, Cyprus

·     Catalogued ceramics

·     Requested to return as a supervisor by the Field Director, Dr. Pamela Gaber

Intern   Thomas T. Taber Museum    Williamsport, PA     Sept 2004 – April 2005

·     Catalogued and archived recently accessioned items and artifacts

·     Began a hands-on program about local archaeology for kids

·     Researched Native American ceramics with local archaeology James P. Bressler to contrast two succeeding cultures' cord-making tradition

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Community Health Volunteer     Peace Corps   Republic of Vanuatu     April 2008 – May 2010

·     Lived, worked, and learned on a small island with local Ni-Vanuatu for two years

·     Presented workshops based on personal observation and country-mandated polls while working within cultural norms of the island:

    basic hygiene, illness prevention, the importance of clean toilets, nutrition, and mother-child health

·     Supervised meetings for the local health center’s support committee, emphasizing:

    Management plans and goals, maintaining a schedule, and analyzing the effects of work

·     Facilitated and created workshops and trainings with other volunteers about sanitation, hygiene, HIV/AIDS prevention, and committee management

EDUCATION

Lycoming College    Williamsport, PA    B.A. Archaeology, Creative Writing

Tompkins-Cortland Community College    Dryden, NY A.S. Liberal Arts