Alumni Profile: Jacob Noble (M. HSPH '21)
Read about HSPH alumni Jacob Noble ('21). He is now a project historian at Wapsi Valley Archaeology
Why did you choose HSPH?
HSPH offered a new way of seeing the heritage fields. Not only did the program push us to think differently about what history is and who it should focus on, it allowed us to connect with professionals doing this in the field in large and small ways. HSPH also offered us a high level of support, one I do not think most master's students get in traditional programs. Beyond generous financial assistance, the mentorship and community fostered by HSPH faculty and students is a huge draw for a program like this.
What do you do in your current position?
Currently, I am a project historian for Wapsi Valley Archaeology, based out of Anamosa, Iowa. Wapsi is an archaeological and historical consultant, so we perform surveys and investigations to help our clients comply with Section 106 and other state and federal cultural resource regulations. My primary role is to help our architectural historian on historic preservation projects, including background research and history, historical field work, and GPS data collection. I also occasionally serve as a principal investigator myself, which involves completing all field work and writing a full report detailing why a property or properties are or are not historically significant, and if they are, how our client should seek to mitigate adverse effects on those properties. I have also served as a field tech on some archaeological projects as well, including performing shovel tests, auger tests, digging test units, and collecting historic and prehistoric materials to assess site significance.
In what ways did the HSPH program prepare you for your current position?
HSPH focuses highly on interdisciplinary study, and this is a tremendous asset. Through my classes and internships, I got an understanding of many systems that are useful in the professional world, like GIS technology, section 106 regulations, and public image databases. All of these have been helpful in my current job, which asks all of us to wear many hats. I need to know the basics of building technology and style to understand what I'm looking at in the field. But because we are a small company, sometimes I am part of a crew where I'm expected to take GPS coordinates of buildings or sites. I have also been asked to help on archaeological projects as well, for which I felt more prepared to help given the basics of archaeology we covered in HSPH classes. Take full advantage of every HSPH opportunity you can to learn something new, even just the basics. This information can only help you in the future.
