Courtesy photoHans Schrader plans on a career in museums, and he got his start at Wichita State Universityβs Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology.
Hans is one of more than 1,200 students eligible for fall 2024 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.
Degree
Master of Arts in Anthropology
Hometown
Wichita
Why did you choose Wichita State University?
I chose Wichita State because of its proximity and to be close to family. I stayed for my master's degree because of the excellent anthropology professors I worked with during my undergraduate degree and the practical experience available through ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ's Museum Studies Graduate Certification.
My degree program alongside the Museum Studies Certificate prepared me for my career goals post-graduation.
What has been your biggest challenge as a student?
My greatest challenge as a student, but one which I overcame was a lack of confidence during presentations.
Before my tenure at Wichita State, I had underdeveloped presentation skills and anxiety when speaking publicly. Over the course of my undergraduate and graduate careers, my public speaking ability improved tremendously through a combination of required coursework, extracurricular academic opportunities, advice from professors and personal dedication.
Enhancing my public speech capabilities has been a crucial step toward advancement in the museum field.
What are your favorite on-campus and off-campus spots?
My favorite on campus location is the Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology in Neff Hall.
I am a bit biased since I was registrar. I spent many hours in the museum working on schoolwork and managing its diverse collection of cultural artifacts from around the world.
The Holmes museum is a quiet gem in the heart of campus which has been a truly special part of my graduate education. It was an honor stewarding its many wonderful and unique ethnographic objects.
Bittersweetly, Neff Hall is slated to be demolished, and the Holmes Museum will be moving to a new location on campus so visit while Neff still stands!
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan on working as a curator, collections manager or registrar at a museum or related institution in the United States applying what I have learned and striving to preserve our tangible past and the stories which accompany cultural objects.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
Pursue what interests you during your time at Wichita State. True success is not based on the perceptions of others. It is defined by your personal aspirations.
Work toward a career you are passionate about, not one you will simply tolerate. Never stop exploring.
About ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ
ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the ΎΕΙ«ΜΓ main campus, is one of the nationβs largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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