Student Profile: Anthropology Transfer Student Packs a Lot into Her Two Years at UCSB

by Cheryl Klein

My name is Cheryl Bommarito Klein, and I am currently a senior double majoring in anthropology and philosophy. As a transfer student from a community college in Los Angeles, I wanted to get as much as possible out of my two years at UCSB. I scoured the UCSB website looking for opportunities, and found that there are plenty available. I discovered the College Honors Program, a variety of honors societies, the Provost's Honors Council, the Anthropology Senior Honors Thesis, and Honors at Graduation, as well as the multitude of scholarships and fellowships coordinated through the school. Although I wasn't able to apply for all of these programs immediately, my search gave me short-term goals to focus on. Most importantly, I spoke to other students and professors. The best advice I can give is to share your goals and interests with as many people as possible — you'll be surprised how many opportunities open up.

I had worked on an archaeology project at Pierce College and was sad to leave it behind when I arrived at UCSB. However, in discussing this with my previous and current professors, I was given the opportunity to bring an aspect of that project here, and turn it into a 199 Independent Studies class. In addition to gaining lab skills and experience that I hadn't previously had, I was able to develop relationships with UCSB professors through the project. The URCA Office offers research grants to UCSB students, and I was able to earn a grant through their program. In applying for it, I also learned how to create a budget, timeline, abstract, and project proposal, all skills that will serve me well going forward into graduate study. In addition, I was able to present a poster on my research at the URCA Colloquium, which was a great addition to my resumé. I am incorporating my findings from this research into the 3rd edition of Tataviam Habitat and Culture: An Introductory Text, which I am publishing later this year to be used as the textbook for the field archaeology course at Pierce College next year. Additionally, my Pierce professor invited me back to do a field survey with him this quarter. Although I'm not earning credits, I am gaining valuable experience performing work for the Archaeological Conservancy.

Another way to open research doors and work closely with professors is through honors contracts. Don't just offer to do extra readings; try to come up with a topic or idea that really interests you. In a contract I did for my California Indians class, I related my interest and previous experience working with the Tataviam and designed an honors contract that allowed me to help my professor with genealogical research tracing Tataviam village marriage patterns through mission records at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum.

Beyond research and coursework, extracurricular activities allow you to really expand both your CV and your academic interests. Almost all majors on campus have a departmental club. I joined the Anthropology Student Union and got involved organizing the California Undergraduate Anthropology Conference (CUAC) that they began holding at UCSB last year. This was a great opportunity to meet anthro majors from universities across California, learn about current research and trends, and make contacts with many different professors. If your major doesn't have a club, consider starting one yourself! I noticed that anthropology was one of the few majors that didn't have a national honors society represented on campus. After doing some research online, I found out about the Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honors Society and restarted the UCSB chapter after its 8-year hiatus. One of the things I've started through Lambda Alpha is a quarterly anthropology department newsletter, which shares information about the department, cultural events, scholarships, and important deadlines. In addition to gaining the benefits of membership for myself, it provides a wonderful opportunity for all anthropology majors on campus.

Currently I'm trying to navigate my way through the end of the quarter, finish my graduate school applications, apply for fellowships, decide on a senior honors thesis topic, organize this year's CUAC event, finish the 3rd edition of the book, and still find a few moments to relax with friends. It's a stressful time, but it is also exciting to look back on what I've been able to accomplish just by putting myself out there. I can't wait to come back at the end of graduate school and see what things look like then!

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