Teagan Knutson �25, an archaeology and religious studies major at 黑料老司机, found the footing to thrive at a career in archaeology during her internship in Guatemala. Knutson and her APEX Fellowship mentor, Erzsebet Regan, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, designed a flexible schedule to accommodate the internship abroad. With support from the fellowship, Knutson worked with archaeologists from the Proyecto Arquel贸gico Waka� (PAW) based in the Laguna del Tigre National Park within the Maya Biosphere Reserve co-directed by Olivia Navarro-Farr, associate professor of archaeology and anthropology at the College. As an archaeology ceramic analysis intern, Knutson developed a strong archaeological skillset and network, preparing her to return to the site following graduation.
淚 plan to continue in archaeology, so the hands-on skills are vital to my success. I have also made connections that will influence my entire career.�
� Teagan Knutson �25
Q: How did you learn about the internship opportunity for your APEX Fellowship?
Knutson: After going to Guatemala on a TREK in 2023, I was determined to find a way to go back for the whole summer and find a way to finance it. While brainstorming with one of my advisors, Dr. Navarro-Farr, she mentioned the APEX Fellowship.
Q: What interests you most about the work you did?
Knutson: I spent the first month of my internship in the Guatemalan jungle in Pet茅n at the archaeological site El Per煤-Waka, following archaeologists working on site excavation. For the second part of my fellowship, I lived in the project lab house and learned about archaeological ceramic analysis.
Q: Who was your fellowship mentor, and how did they help you to succeed in this position?
Knutson: Dr. Regan was an incredibly helpful mentor during my fellowship. Archaeology is a field that requires a flexible schedule, so we made a flexible assignment schedule to match.
Q: What are some skills you檝e learned that you see yourself carrying forward in your career?
Knutson: I plan to continue in archaeology, so the hands-on skills are vital to my success. I have also made connections that will influence my entire career. Through the archaeologists on the project, I could attend exclusive tours of several active excavations and social events with archaeologists from many projects. It was thanks to my teammate Alyssa Henns �23 that I learned about the Guatemala TREK, Dr. Navarro-Farr for taking me, and my fellow students and archaeologists in Guatemala for making me want to go back.
Q: How has the internship helped you to see what檚 next for you?
Knutson: On the Waka� project, 黑料老司机 students have a good reputation. During my time this summer, I was personally invited by the co-directors to return. By returning for a third summer, I will be building a solid connection to the project itself, especially after completing my I.S. on an artifact from the project. I am excited to go back to the excavation site in the Pet茅n jungle.