Chan 1 Yin Mei Chan Gardner Hon.

English 10 1 9 February 2013 Analyzing a Future Just weeks ago, I believed my time to research and ponder potential occupations for my future was years away; however, having completed the "iSearch Project," I now know that that time is right around the corner. I have always had an idea of what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing as a career analyzing human remains and solving homicides. To me, the broad field of forensics sounded fascinating with its suspense and mystery, exciting with its teamwork and fellowship, and stimulating with its pride and ability to achieve. Though a wide-ranging field with occupations from artist to pathologist, I easily isolated my desired position in forensics: anthropologist. Captivated by the qualities of forensic anthropology and persuaded by this particular project, I decided to contact several anthropologists to further my research and knowledge on the field: Dr. Tracy Rogers of the University of Toronto, Dr. Laura Fulguniti of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and Dr. Bruce Anderson of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. Astoundingly, I received a unique and valuable response from each of the three anthropologists within a couple of days. Because of my determination to attend the University of Toronto after graduating high school in 2016, I prioritized the information provided by Dr. Rogers about the pathway to

Chan 2 becoming a forensic anthropologist. Embedded within her response, were specific courses she suggested to take once admitted into college and excelling programs specialized in forensic sciences in both the United States and Canada. She closely compared and contrasted the duties of a forensic anthropologist in the United States and a forensic anthropologist in Canada, stating that "there is only one full- time forensic anthropologist working at a Coroner's office in Canada"(Dr. Tracy Rogers), thus, "if you want to do only case work, look to the U.S."(Dr. Tracy Rogers). As I envisioned my career as a forensic anthropologist, I found myself primarily fascinated by the case work and the physical involvement the job allowed for; I was focused on working out in the field and not necessarily "teaching and doing case work on the side" (Dr. Tracy Rogers). However, I have also planned to move back to my home country, Canada, as I continued my education and searched for employment opportunities. Now, being informed of the "highly limited and competitive field"(Dr. Laura Fulguniti), I have begun to broaden my desires, maybe including teaching and instruction within my potential career duties, or even residing in the United States. Nonetheless, my passion for criminology and science, and my hopes for acquiring a fulltime forensic anthropologist position have not diminished. Though it has been consistently resonated that "jobs are limited" (Dr. Bruce Anderson) in the forensics field, I continue to be enthralled by its suspense and mystery, enlivened by its teamwork and fellowship, and motivated by its pride and ability to achieve. Only now, I am mindful of the challenges that lie ahead of me, and that awareness is what can bring me that much closer to my dream.

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