Alex Ganote UG '21

Housing Case Worker

[A]nthropology was always ‘happening,’ no matter where I was or what I was doing.

In 2021, Alex Ganote graduated as an Anthropology major. Before finding anthropology, Alex explored different majors: computer, science, biology, comparative literature, and political science. In all these studies, he was mostly fascinated about people and cultures. So, Alex finally oriented his educational path towards cultural anthropology. During the progression of his major, Alex became aware of how this field of study had a strong connection to every aspect of his life experience. “I saw that anthropology was always ‘happening,’ no matter where I was or what I was doing.”

Alex is now working as a Housing Case Worker in Boston. Learning ethnography and interviewing has been exceptionally helpful for Alex’s career. These skills enriched his relationship with his clients, identifying their particular problems and, overall, constructing meaningful connections with them. Beyond his profession, Alex recognizes that anthropology has helped him make sense of the world and his relationship to systems and people. “Anthropology teaches me that personal relationships, community, and ways of being are all forms of activism and contributing positively toward change.”

Alex also appreciates that the major has heavily contributed to a positive world-view. “Assignments where I got to draw and present were particularly memorable. [In the course] ‘Early on in Other Economies are Possible!’, we did a group assignment where we drew our (imagined) ideal economies with crayola markers and pencils and pens, and then presented our silly creations to the class.” Ultimately, another memorable experience as an anthropology student, is when Dr. Boone Shear danced in class to lift students spirits after news came that classes were moved online because of COVID. 

[Interview edited on 2021]