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Katy Au (she/her)

Major: Archaeology

Certificate: Forensic studies

Post-secondary doesn't have to be a straight path.

Before beginning her bachelor of arts degree in archaeology, Katy started at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and wasn’t sure about transferring to SFU. Fortunately, her professor at KPU helped support her in making the decision, and Katy found even more resources once she arrived.

“Overall, it was much easier than I had anticipated. Going from a smaller university to a much larger one, I expected the latter to be more strict and more difficult… But actually, the experience has been very similar to that of KPU. My professors and peers are helpful and incredibly understanding.”

The wide selection of courses and opportunities in the Department of Archaeology was perfect for Katy’s wide range of interests, particularly zooarchaeology and human osteology. Through networking at SFU, Katy was also able to gain work experience doing zooarchaeological sorting for Arrowstone Archeological Research and Consulting.

In 2019, Katy pushed the boundaries of her comfort zone by participating in the K’omoks Field School in Courtenay, B.C.. This field school was a partnership with the K’omoks First Nation that focused on excavating an important ancient village site called Pentlatch, and she was able to apply what she learned in the classroom through archaeological field work like mapping, digging and data collection. While she didn't know anyone well and had zero camping experience, she quickly adjusted and made new friends.

She graduated in 2022 with a bachelor of arts and a certificate in forensic studies. From her start at Kwantlen to exploring SFU, Katy shows how taking the leap can help you grow in ways you might not expect.