Event Details

Stefan Brannan, PhD, RPA, PMP, New South Associates, Inc.

Dr. Brannan currently serves as the Director of Archaeology for New South Associates, Inc., a women-owned small business providing cultural resource management services in the southeastern United States and beyond. In his current role, he serves as the administrative manager for the Archaeology Department as well as the project manager and subject matter expert for several ongoing archaeological projects. He has conducted archaeological surveys, testing, data recovery, public outreach, and consultation with and on behalf of private, state, federal, and tribal agencies. He has evaluated numerous archaeological sites for the NRHP under Section 106 and 110 of the NHPA, as well as multiple state registers. His experience encompasses Precontact period and Indigenous residential, monumental, ritual, and mortuary sites; as well as historic domestic, urban, military, and funerary sites. He has conducted projects on behalf of and in consultation with numerous state and federal agencies, including: several state Departments of Transportation, the University of Georgia, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Georgia Power Company. His active research interests include organizationally complex middle range societies, anthropological and archaeological theory, settlement archaeology, regional survey, and the applications of
project management.

This seminar is designed to equip new and experienced archaeologists with helpful tools to excel in today’s competitive job market. It will begin with an introduction on decoding job advertisements, helping participants understand important key words, qualifications, and how to identify the right opportunities. Second, a discussion will follow on crafting standout application materials, including tailored cover letters and polished CVs that highlight an applicant’s unique skills and experience. Third, participants will also gain valuable insights on interview strategies, addressing challenging questions, and standing out to potential employers. Fourth, a portion of the seminar will explore potential negotiation tactics to finalize an offer. The final segment will provide advice on the probationary period, offering guidance on meeting employer expectations and building strong relationships during the critical early days of a new position. Whether participants are seeking their first role or looking to advance, this seminar will provide actionable advice for securing and excelling in your next archaeological position.

Seminar participants will be introduced to:

1. Parsing job advertisements and determining if they are a good fit
2. Assembling application materials that increase the likelihood of an interview
3. Preparing for the interview process
4. Negotiation opportunities once an offer is made
5. Navigating the probationary period