Aaron Aruck

Research Assistant, Spanish Department

Amherst College

September 2010 to April 2011

- Develop activities for students in Spanish classes
- Grade papers in Spanish
- Find readings and articles that discuss events in Hispanic World; create discussion questions

Intern

Institute of Southern Jewish Life

June 2010 to August 2010

-       Interviewed Southern Jews who played active role in Civil Rights Movement as part of an oral history initiative
-       Used Census records, microfilmed newspapers, and archive collections to research the history of Jewish communities in eastern Texas
-       Analysis of material culture of synagogues and Jewish-owned stores to add to community histories
-       Wrote the community histories of Jewish towns to be published on the ISJL’s online encyclopedia

Research Assistant, Professor Margaret Hunt

Amherst College

May 2009 to September 2010

-       Compiled an electronic database using the 17th century muster logs of the HMS Modena (ship used by both East India Company and Royal Navy)
-       Used electronic database to track trends in impressment, desertion, and the spread of disease in the English navy and the East India Company
-       Used captain’s log books and 17th century maps to track Modena voyages
-       Transcription of 17th century petitions filed by widows seeking State aid

Intern

Institute for Higher Education Policy

January 2009 to February 2009

-       Research on current and past educational data (graduation rates, enrollment rates)
-       Research on the history of tribal colleges and Hispanic-serving institutions
-       Contributing writer to paper on the use of college rankings
-       Assist the development of educational programs (securing sponsorships, writing letters and proposals)

Student Worker

Amherst College Archives and Special Collections

September 2008 to April 2011

-       Began work on the Department’s initiative to chronicle Amherst’s missionary legacy and to make the documents pertaining to it more accessible to public
-       Independently catalogued Paul L. Ward collection and produced finding aid (collection documents Ward’s missionary activities and his significance in the field of history as Secretary of American Historical Association)
-       Research assistance to historians (scanning, photocopying, material selection)
-       Independent research on institutional history, particularly Amherst’s relationship with abolitionists and black leaders

Teacher

El Arco Iris

February 2008 to April 2011

 - Tutor students ages 8-16 in reading, writing, history, and science
- Mentor students with personal and familial issues
- Cooperate with other volunteers to put on instructive workshops (nutrition, healthy relationships)
- Help with students’ adjustment from speaking Spanish to English

Modern History

September 2009 to December 2009

BA, History

September 2007 to May 2011

Career Goals

Industries of interest

Areas of interest

Availability to travel and work outside the city

Yes

Interests and hobbies