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| Jennifer Sharman |
Dr. Jennifer Sharman did not actually hear the word anthropology until she started college, but her interests in ancient Egyptian culture, mummification, and monuments and human ancestry primed her well to enter the field. When she took an introductory Anthropology course she found herself hooked, and she pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Anthropology and Archaeological Science. She eventually went on further in her educational pursuits, earning graduate degrees from the University of Western Ontario and Durham University (United Kingdom) where she concentrated her studies in bioarchaeological research.
Her original goal was to pursue her love for research and teaching by landing a position as a faculty member at a research-oriented university, but life took her down different paths where she continues to pursue her passions and utilize her anthropological knowledge and skills. Currently, she serves as the Education Coordinator for Prime Earth, a non-profit organization that focuses on youth education in conservation and anthropology. The goal of this organization is to show students the human connections with the Earth and various species that exist on the planet, and how these connections both enrich humans and the environment. Sharman landed this position when she met the Primate Earth founder, Dr. Jackie Prime, and they sparked a conversation about their shared anthropological experiences. That initial conversation grew into more and eventually Sharman’s position within the organization.
Additionally, Sharman uses her keen eye and practiced editing skills (from researching and writing various anthropology papers and reports) in her position as the Editor-in-Chief for a Burlington, Ontario, digital news start up. She fell into this position by previously taking on part-time editing jobs throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies, and through networking and clients’ recommendations she found herself in this current position. Sharman credits her anthropological background in enabling her to excel in editing since this position requires understanding the messages authors are trying to convey and how best to support that through their writing. As anthropology is about understanding cultural messaging and interpretations, she finds herself best able to fulfill this responsibility to her clients.
In her free time, Sharman volunteers as part of the leadership team for the Program for All-Inclusive Care for Elders (PACE) in Burlington. This program works to help older adults in critical need satisfy their healthcare, social/wellness, and housing needs. Her anthropological knowledge plays a key role in understanding the situations of the elderly clients seeking PACE’s resources and assistance, and her knowledge of biological anthropology positions her well to understand the intersections between health and culture, specifically how language, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, and other identities either confer an advantage or disadvantage individuals PACE supports.
Sharman’s words of advice for those interested in pursuing anthropological studies: go for it! Anthropological study opens people up to understanding others both in the present and in the past while drawing upon the environmental contexts to which individuals exist in, which sets everyone up for success no matter what their primary areas of interests or professional goals may be. Since most every occupation requires human interaction, a better understanding of human behavior, physiology, culture, and more allows for adaptability in working with diverse groups and ideas, which leads to the realization of solutions to simple or complex problems.
Bibliography
Sharman, J. (2021, March). Interview for Humerus Revelations Blog. (C. Boston, Interviewer)
10 comments:
I had never heard of Jennifer Sharman before this article but it was intriguing to learn some facts about her. It stood out to me how she is the education coordinator for Prime Earth, a non-profit organization with the goal of showing students the human connections with the Earth and various species that exist on the planet, and how these connections enrich humans and the environment.
The first thing that stood out to me is that Jennifer Sharman had never heard of the word anthropology until she started college. There are a lot of people who are discouraged when it comes to going to college because they are undecided on what they want to do. I love that she found something she enjoyed so much, and that she didn't just stay in one place with it. After her bachelors degree, she furthered her education, ranging from a school in Ontario all the way to a school in the United Kingdom. She has done a lot with anthropology and landed herself an amazing job as the Editor-in-Chief for a digital news start up.
Dr.Sharman knew what she wanted to do and added more to it which is inspiring for young people or older people, it shows that we find new things to pursue everyday and it can lead us to bigger things then what we thought we were going to do. Reading this article showed me to follow what I feel is best and to incorporate my new ideas with my old ideas. Good read. -Alfreda Womack
I can relate to Dr. Sharman because I also had never heard the word anthropology until I took an intro to anthropology course. It is impressive that she had never heard about anthropology and then major in both Biological Anthropology and Archaeological Science. Dr. Sharman is a great example of why it is important to take on part-time jobs or internships that are incorporated with your major because of her networking she got a job as Editor-in-Chief for a digital news start up. She used her amazing skills to get a great job she worked hard for.
I can completely relate to Dr. Sharman, I had little to no education about Anthropology. I think the only information I knew about fossils is what I learned at the children's museum when I was very little.
I find Dr. Sharman's story inspiring. I myself am pursuing a future in research. However, I hope I am able to get involved in fulfilling programs such as Dr. Sharman, as being directly involved with programs and non-profits such as these is what makes it all worth it in my opinion.
I understand Dr. Sherman. I didn't know anything about Anthropology before taking the actual course. In the beginning I didn't find it interesting at all but as the course continues I actually like it, especially because my major is Sociology. Makala Reynolds
I myself Didn't know anything or even heard of anthropology until I took this college course.It impressed me as particularly significant since she is the education coordinator for Prime Earth. She connects humans and enviornment to earth.-FE
It is really something how true passions are discovered so later in life. She did not know anything about anthropology until college, which is similar to me, but found a love for it. It is great to see that she is doing really well in her career as well.
-Jayla Templeton
It is great to see so many people in the anthropology world that work with the youth because that is our next generation for our future. The work that goes into this job and the research to do her digital news start up is impressive. I also like that she works with older adults including in the elders to help in their healthcare and needs.
-Keira Robinson
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