Alumnus Jeremy Nienow’s journey in archaeology is one of many featured in new MVAC podcast series

Alumnus Jeremy Nienow's journey in archaeology is one of many featured in new MVAC podcast series

Jeremy Nienow recalls one of his first field surveys with the Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center (MVAC) back in the mid 1990s. He reached down and picked up what he declared to be a pristine Native American projectile point.

An MVAC staff member approached and, with a smile, informed him, "Congratulations, you found a rock."

Nienow chuckles at the memory. But the moment reflects a significant evolution in his life -- from a novice archaeology student to a seasoned professional. Over the past three decades, he has transitioned through various roles in archaeology, from entry-level cultural resource management positions to professorships and, eventually, the owner of Nienow Cultural Consultants, LLC in St. Paul, Minnesota.

"I think the best way to gain knowledge is not through a book but through practical knowledge -- Going out in the field with a mentor," says Nienow. "MVAC was the perfect place to do that."

Nienow is among several MVAC and UW-La Crosse Archaeology program alumni featured in a new podcast series on MVAC's YouTube channel. The series explores how their education has impacted their careers and lives. So far, five alumni have shared their stories, with the latest interview to be released in September.

Nienow's passion for archaeology ignited during a sixth-grade field trip to Fort Berthold Reservation in New Town, North Dakota. There, he discovered a small piece of chipped stone, which his teacher identified as evidence of Native American presence hundreds of years before. "I went home and told my parents I wanted to be an archaeologist," Nienow recalls. "From that moment, it became the only thing I wanted to do."

When searching for colleges, Nienow chose UW-La Crosse's emerging archaeology program, joining its second cohort. "[UWL Professor Emeritus and MVAC Founder] Jim Gallagher and others I met during my first campus visit were engaging and inviting," he says.

Nienow quickly immersed himself in archaeology. After graduating from high school on a Sunday, he began summer classes at UWL the following Monday, simultaneously working at MVAC. He dedicated 20 hours a week during the school year and 40 hours a week during summer to working for MVAC. "By the time I left MVAC, I was leading schools and field surveys. I was comfortable doing phase I and phase II identification work, and more," he says.

Nienow went on to earn a master's degree and a doctoral degree and taught archaeology at several higher education institutions across the Midwest. A significant turning point came after the Great Recession, when he faced a challenging job market and was not offered tenure at a community college. Reflecting on his career, Nienow decided to return to his roots in cultural resource management (CRM) and start his own firm.

"I took some time to think about what it is I've always done in my career and if I could keep doing that. What was the thing that really brought me joy and passion?," he recalls asking himself. "That thing was what I started out doing so many years before at MVAC and then throughout my career: cultural resource management."

Founded in 2014 with Nienow working solo from his basement, Nienow Cultural Consultants LLC has grown into a St. Paul-based company with a team of 10 employees and full-time contractors. "Things have exploded over the past decade, and it's been a wonderful experience," he says. "All of that started at UWL and shaped my career trajectory."

For prospective archaeology students, Nienow offers the following advice:

Understand job market opportunities: The majority of archaeology job openings are in CRM. Those aiming to teach should be prepared for a competitive market and potential relocation.

Gain CRM experience locally: Seek experience in the U.S. region where you wish to work. Nienow values candidates with field school experience and knowledge of the local topography.

Be flexible: CRM work requires versatility, from literature reviews to artifact washing. Graduates should be prepared for a range of tasks and varying field conditions.

Acquire GIS skills: A basic understanding of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is crucial for modern archaeology roles.

Pursue a master's degree: Advancement in CRM often requires a master's degree. A master's or higher is necessary to serve as a principal investigator under U.S. Secretary of the Interior guidelines.

Build relationships: Networking is vital in the archaeology field. Nienow emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining relationships, as the field is relatively small, and connections can lead to new opportunities. "Beyond anything else you do in school, you have to be willing to be humble and build good relationships," Nienow advises.

For more insights into the field of archaeology, visit the MVAC website and tune in to their podcast series.

Learn more about UWL's Archaeological Studies program.