CEMML ECDP participant, Lucas Chapman holds the tip of a broken Haskett projectile point, which dates from 13,000 to 10,000 years ago. Photo courtesy Lucas Chapman BY LUCAS CHAPMAN
Last year, after seven years of working in journalism, I decided to return to my roots in history and archaeology. I had completed my master’s degree in archaeology the year prior, but at the time felt unprepared to move directly into a professional role. I had little practical experience – some museum work and consulting with international preservation firms – and no clear path into the field. Then I found the Early-Career Development Program through Colorado State University’s CEMML, which helped me step into the next chapter of my life.
When I saw CEMML’s postings for cultural resources technician positions at Air Force bases across the country, I jumped at the chance. These positions, part of the ECDP, were designed to help graduates bridge the gap between academia and professional work. After accepting an offer, I relocated from my home in Georgia to Hill Air Force Base in northern Utah.
Now, even several months into the job, no two days are the same. Some days I am in the office, helping draft programmatic agreements, keeping our tribal contact lists up to date, or preparing documentation to keep our compliance process running smoothly. Other days, I’m engaging in one of the aspects of cultural resources management that I enjoy most: public outreach. This includes designing interpretive signage, creating GIS maps and educational handouts, and representing Hill’s CRM team at community events. Showing people that military landscapes hold rich history dating back thousands of years is deeply rewarding and gives new prominence to work that is often invisible to the public.
Then there is field work, which, though often carried out in the desert under the blistering sun, remains my favorite part of the job. Hill AFB also oversees the Utah Test and Training Range, nearly a million acres of salt flats, sagebrush steppe, and isolated mountains along the Utah-Nevada border. Despite its barren and unforgiving appearance, the UTTR is archaeologically rich. The area was covered with fertile wetlands over 10,000 years ago, and the sites it yields range from the prehistoric, such as hearths, rock rings, and petroglyphs, to the historic, such as Donner Party wagon sites and early military infrastructure. The oldest finds date back more over than 12,000 years: massive black projectile points used to take down mammoths litter the range and perfectly preserved human footprints track across the salt flats. Working in such a remote, protected environment, as often is the case with archaeology on military land, offers unparalleled access to time capsules of human activity.
While “working with the military” might sound intimidating to some, my experience has been nothing but positive. Colleagues both on and off the installation come from all walks of life and are welcoming and eager to share knowledge and collaborate. The military environment provides structure and access to incredible resources, while the day-to-day work is supportive and approachable, perfect for someone just starting out in cultural resource management.
Since joining the ECDP, I have learned far more than expected, and that cultural resources management spans far beyond archaeology. I have gained experience with site stewardship, GIS mapping, historic preservation, regulatory compliance, GIS, public outreach, and more. Attending professional meetings on base and with the Utah State Historic Preservation Office has been invaluable for networking and understanding how federal, state, and tribal agencies function and collaborate.
One of the best features of the ECDP is its mentorship and support structure. My mentor at CEMML regularly checks in to make sure I have the resources I need to do my job. My supervisor at Hill AFB provides hands-on guidance and ensures that I gain valuable real-world experience from the field to the office.
I came into this program looking to build my knowledge and will leave with a clear sense of direction. My only wish is that the program was longer, given how much there is to learn. However, I know that the skills and experience I’ve gained through the ECDP will strengthen my resume and lead to future opportunities. I plan to stay in cultural resources management, preferably in the government military sphere—where protecting the past supports the missions of today by helping the military meet federal compliance requirements; avoid project delays; and ensure that training, construction, and testing proceed without interruption.
Beyond archaeology and historic preservation, the ECDP also offers opportunities in areas such as wildlife and vegetation management, GIS, wildland fire, environmental compliance, and more. This program opens doors, connects participants with professionals in the field, and helps them find their niche in the world of cultural or environmental management. The Early-Career Development Program didn’t just give me a job—it gave me a foundation for a meaningful, lifelong career.