Polly Anna Burnette

I attribute my success to a combination of determination, mentorship, and hands-on experience in the field. A pivotal moment came with a field school scholarship that allowed me to excavate a Neanderthal site in Spain, which opened doors to internships at the Smithsonian and the University of Michigan museums, as well as international projects in Romania, Serbia, and Israel. Travel, diverse fieldwork, and rigorous graduate studies at Cornell University deepened my expertise, while involvement in professional organizations and supportive mentors—particularly women in archaeology—helped guide my career. Ultimately, my success comes from a persistent curiosity about the past, a commitment to responsible fieldwork, and a dedication to giving historical voices a platform through every artifact I study.

I've recently been doing alumna talks at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and answering this question a lot. My advice is networking and volunteering, especially if you're in an academic setting. If you can volunteer to get in on a research project and actually commit to doing that - like committing to two times a week or whatever - that's where you make the connections where you can get invited to these types of excavations and exciting projects. A lot of these are unpaid, so it is a privileged to participate, but if you can do that, it's invaluable. I would also say don't be afraid to make a cold email. Even if somebody doesn't respond, it doesn't necessarily mean anything about you, because they might be on sabbatical or busy with department obligations. Just being able to put yourself out there is important. And when you do make commitments, make sure you follow through on the commitments that you do make. That follow-through is critical.

Political things are always making us nervous and uncertain because a lot of the contracts that we have are with the National Forest Service, and those were heavily affected by DOGE cuts. There was a period of time in the fall where we were like, oh no, are we going to be able to work? Thankfully, the company that I work at is on top of that and they worked it out, finding ways to move contracts around. They'll send out emails with the company vision every time something disruptive in the politics works. Travel is also very difficult - trying to get to a position where I'm promoted enough that I don't have to have such a vagabond life would be a challenge and a goal. Though I'm lucky because I mostly work within my state, whereas a lot of other archaeologists in North America travel all over to get work. It's kind of a love-hate relationship with the travel - if they're sending me to the Upper Peninsula, I'm excited, but if it's to an agricultural field in a one-horse town, it's harder. It's honestly project-based - if the project is exciting, then I'll put up with the constant travel.

Beyond archaeology, I’ve also been involved in environmental efforts with Friends of the River Rouge, a group dedicated to monitoring and protecting the health of the Detroit River watershed.