With a heart for helping others, anthropology major Sally Shields ’18 has always wanted to make the world a better place. Shields points out that her degree—which comes with a minor in psychology—provides her with many career options to do just that. She hopes to build on the research experience she gained at Whittier toward a possible future as a researcher, though she is also considering using her knowledge to become a sensitivity trainer, or to join an online media company like BuzzFeed or Cut. “They often talk about difficult topics and don’t shy away from those and raise the awareness about those kinds of things. I think something like that would be really interesting,” Shields said. No matter what career she chooses, she has the passion—and now, the skill—to use her position to help others. It’s a personal mission that was reflected in her involved time at Whittier. She aided an anthropology professor with research, completed a large research project of her own, and studied abroad in the Dominican Republic, where she helped a poor community in the town of Los Botados with education and environmental awareness. She also interned for the fellowships office, showcased the College to prospective families as an admission ambassador, and performed in three of Whittier’s choirs. She was busy, and she’s liked it that way. “It’s easy to do the minimum. But doing more is not only beneficial to you, it’s beneficial to others,” Shields said. “And I think I feel more connected with a place when I do more than I have to do.”
