For senior Anthropology major and Museum Studies minor Sam Sisay, working at the Circulation Desk in the SMCM Library, Archives & Media Center is more than just a job. It’s also a great opportunity (from an anthropological point of view, of course) to observe people and gain a unique perspective as they use the library.
A self-described nerd and crochet enthusiast who loves the color pink, Sam was born in D.C., grew up in Silver Spring, and currently calls Hyattsville home. Though she was accepted to St. Mary’s out of high school, she attended both Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC, and Montgomery College before finally transferring to SMCM in 2014. Having always been attracted to small schools, the beautiful and welcoming campus struck Sam as “a place I could be at.”
As a kid, Sam loved going to the museums in D.C. with her dad – especially the Museum of Natural History. Combined with the fact that she has always been interested in learning about the cultures of other people, studying Anthropology and Museum Studies was the perfect fit. But it was actually the television show Bones that put anthropology on Sam’s radar. When she learned it was inspired by a real life forensic anthropologist, she became interested in learning more. In Spring of 2018, she plans to complete a Senior Tutorial for her capstone experience. At the time of the interview, Sam was still pondering her options for project.
Sam began working at the LAMC her first year at St. Mary’s. Having volunteered in libraries before, she knew she like the environment and it was a perfect fit as a work study job. Her favorite things about working in the LAMC are the people she works with, interacting with the students who come in for help, and of course, all the good people watching! Due to her exceptional work these past years, Sam has now moved into the Saturday closer position. In this position she is responsible for building closing procedures on Saturday evenings, as well as supervising other LAMC student employees during her shift.
When it comes to post SMCM plans Sam doesn’t have anything concrete at the moment, and plans on taking things one day at a time.