After receiving a B.A. with High Honors in Geography, Shana Retherford '04 is now a Transportation Analyst at a consulting firm in Washington, D.C. that receives contracts from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
After many years of working as a student leader for the Red Cross, Shana wanted a change from the world of non-profits where she already had substantial experience. At Clark she was a Geography/International Development double-major, and in her senior year she produced a Geography honors thesis that focused on the role of the Indian Government in creating the identity for Non-Resident Indians around the world. On becoming a Clark Geographer, Shana says:
"Geography is a major that will give you a background that will be useful in anything you chose to do in later life. Geography will teach you how to question and understand natural and social phenomena that occur in this world in a syncretic fashion. As a major Geography is also broad enough to be tailored to a wide variety of talents and skill sets. Personally I was most interested in Economic Geography, which is concerned with the location and distribution of economic activity. I also had a great time in courses that looked at the relationship between the human and natural environments. I believe within Geography there is something that will interest and excite everyone.
There are many times when I'm at work and I think how grateful I am to have been educated at the School of Geography. One of the best aspects I liked best about being a Geography major was getting to hang out with the other Geography majors! CUGA (Clark University Geography Association, our club) often organized really neat trips to places like the Big Dig or Purgatory Chasm. There are also so many great opportunities in the School of Geography to get involved with interesting research and to connect with phenomenal faculty. Choose Geography as a major and your college experience will undoubtedly become one of your most treasured memories for life."