"Currently I am working as a Marketing Coordinator at Salas O'Brien, an architectural and engineering firm in Seattle, Washington. My job asks for me to compile working narratives for projects from a network of architect and engineer resumes, accounting information, and personal interviews for the purpose of submitting proposals to municipalities, private businesses, and non-profit organizations that are interested in upgrading, remodeling, or otherwise constructing new buildings or structures. They also allow me time to independently research and go to academic conferences!"

Successfully perform my duties

"The challenge of compiling material from differing contexts and from it producing data that speaks toward a particular end-goal is the strongest thread that ties together my studies and current work. In understanding an advanced level of data management and analysis of scope, context, and audience for objects that otherwise appear unbiased or created without particular interest, I have been able to quickly, accurately, and successfully perform my duties with ease."

Individualised attention

"Because Assyriology is a small department at Leiden University, it was common and expected to receive individual support and attention from teachers and researchers, both in class and in the NINO library (Netherlands Institute for the Near East). Everyone was caring and thoughtful in their wanting to help me carve out my own niche in the ancient world."

“Since January 2017 I am working as an Educational and Research Staff Member at Leiden University. My main responsibility is creating a database of Babylonian cuneiform documents (7th–4th c. BCE), which will eventually be published online as part of the ERC project PERSIA AND BABYLONIA, directed by Caroline Waerzeggers. I also contribute to a collective volume on the history of Babylonia during the reign of the Persian king Xerxes (early 5th century BCE).”

Studying social networks

“During my MA studies in Assyriology at Leiden University I attended various courses which focused on the social and economic history of Babylonia. I wrote my MA thesis about the archives from Old Babylonian Nippur and studied their social networks. In order to do this, I created a database of name attestations and document metadata. In my current job, I apply my experience working with archival data and databases.”

A broad focus and fantastic collections

“I studied Assyriology because of the vast amount of cuneiform tablets from Mesopotamia. These sources, mostly still unpublished, can be investigated to understand various historical processes in this region. I chose Leiden University because it offers a broad focus on Mesopotamian history and languages, has renowned lecturers, and boasts the fantastic NINO library as well as the Böhl collection.”