Ellen Rider (Class of 2010)

After graduating from South in 2010, I attended Texas Tech University, graduating with a MA in Museum Science in 2013 after completing required coursework and an internship at the George Ranch Historical Park. I stayed on with the George Ranch until 2014, nearly completing the inventory and accession of their collection and providing interpretive tours to the park's visitors.

From 2014-2017, I acted as Curator and Collections Manager of the Galveston Railroad Museum of Galveston in Texas, creating exhibits and displays on local and regional railroad history, as well as developing an audio tour for visitors. From 2017-2020, I worked as Senior Curator with the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee.

After this, I moved on to industry, taking an analyst position with the Florida Department of Revenue for three years before attaining my current position at Florida State University as a Communications Specialist for the Controller's Office in 2023. There, I coordinate trainings, create content for and manage the Controller’s Office and FSU Office of Student Finance websites, and act as a form administrator and primary communicator to the university for all things related to the Controller’s Office.

My anthropology degree has definitely helped me in understanding how to communicate with others better. In the future, I'd like to return to the museum field.