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| Second-year Public History graduate student Abby Kirstein takes an epic selfie at the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry Visitors Center in Price, Utah |
It's no secret that our graduate students are pretty cool. And second-year Public History Program student Abby Kirstein is no exception.
Abby, who is originally from Bethel Park in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh, studied History as an undergraduate at the University of Delaware. When a professor gave Abby the name of a woman at the Heinz History Center, she contacted her and interviewed the woman about the work she does. Afterwards, Abby thought, "How do I get HER job?!"
"Needless to say," says Abby, "she opened my eyes to the wonderful world of Public History!"
We asked Abby, who will be finishing her master's degree next semester, to tell us a little bit about why she decided to go into Public History and why she chose Duquesne for her graduate work. We also asked her to tell us about her incredible experience working this past summer with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry in Price, Utah.
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| Abby in front of petroglyphs near the quarry site |
"Following my undergraduate work I was looking for different ways in which I could use my history degree," says Abby. "Although teaching is a more than respectable route to take, I wasn't sure it was for me. I realized if I could combine my love of people, history, and creativity into one occupation, I would be the happiest gal alive!
"[The woman at the Heinz History Center] was the one who told me about Duquesne's program in Public History since the Heinz History Center had just recently hired a few graduates. I had always loved the thought of attending an urban school, but I never imagined I would get the chance to do it in my own city!" exclaims Abby. "After doing more research into the program, it seemed like a perfect fit. The size, location, and reputation of Duquesne won me over. This fairy tale ends with an application, an acceptance, and a wonderful experience..."
And then Abby had the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom.
"Over the summer of 2014, I was given the opportunity to work on an active dinosaur quarry called the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry in Price, Utah. I was accepted into this position by applying to various federal facilities through their seasonal student programs. These programs are an amazing opportunity to gain work and travel experience all over the country," she explains. "My specific seasonal position was through the Bureau of Land Management and required me to assist with interpretation, visitors services, tours, outreach and educational programs, and, most importantly, actual paleontology digs at the quarry site."
Yup. Digging for dinosaur bones.
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| One of the quarry buildings at the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry |
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| Inside one of the quarry buildings |
"Even more than the Public History and exciting opportunities I was given at the site, I was also able to attend various federal training sessions to further my education as a historian," Abby goes on to say. "For example, through the BLM, I had the chance to attend a historic preservation training session in which I got to meet the head State Historic Preservation Officer of Utah, as well as some national board members. In addition, I trained with the head curator of the BLM Utah State Office, Nancy Mahaney, on cataloging an entire warehouse full of Native American artifacts. To this day, Ms. Mahaney gives me career advice and has remained a very good friend!"
We asked Abby if there was something she learned or experienced working with the BLM in Utah that really had an impact on her, that really made her stop and think, "I'd never have known or experienced this if I hadn't been here."
"I think what blew me away most, other than the amazing landscapes and people that Utah has to offer," she says, "is just the demand that there is out there for public historians. The Price, Utah BLM alone has lists and lists of sites that are in need of interpretation and management, not to mention the rest of Utah and the rest of the United States! Going into the Public History Program at Duquesne, I would have never thought of working for the federal government, but they are a huge supporter of not just natural sites, but architectural history, historic preservation, archaeology, anthropology, and archival work as well!
"There are so many opportunities out there," says Abby, "you just have to open your eyes, get creative, work hard, and prove yourself."
And Abby expresses her gratitude to the Public History graduate program for preparing her for this adventure.
"Without [the Public History] program," she says, "I would have never had the confidence to drive across the country to take on such a challenging position. I never questioned my ability to assist sites like the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry because I've been given the proper professional training at Duquesne. I can't even explain how supportive my classmates and professors have been throughout this entire experience, and I look forward to more Public History adventures in the future!"
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| Abby hiking in a slot canyon near the quarry |
Great work, Abby! We can't wait to hear about your next adventure!
And if you're around Duquesne's campus on Friday, November 7, 2014, from 2-3 p.m., Abby and a couple of our other graduate students will be presenting original research and scholarship at the poster session at Duquesne's 2nd Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium (GSRS) in the Power Center Ballroom (Section C). Stop by, meet Abby, and say hello! (The entire schedule can be found here.)