by Bert Ho
ACUA Individual Associate Member

Earlier this year, I decided to once again take a different path in my career as an underwater archaeologist. It was not an easy decision. I spent over 21 proud years in service to the American people protecting cultural resources at several different federal bureaus. I needed some guidance and clearly I needed some mentoring.

While mulling over the decision, I went away on a trip to the mountains in California, and within the group I was in were an older couple, both grandparents, from Texas. As we sat by an alpine creek having the usual “get to know each other” conversation, I started to tell the grandma about how I was considering a new job.

Before I could finish she blurted “you have to take the job.” Her message was simple in that the fact I was thinking about it so much meant wherever I was employed was not where I needed to be. She elaborated some on her own career and told me to take the challenge of a new job and don’t look back. Like the theme of “mobility” for the upcoming Detroit SHA conference, she spoke of a different kind of mobility with regards to moving within my career. Throughout our professional careers, we take our experiences and abilities to a new place when we move, sometimes a great distance and sometimes just down the road. Each move is an opportunity for growth, for a new challenge, and for the possibility of a future we envision for ourselves but might not know how to reach. Mentors help us find that path, and in my case, that nudge to get on the proverbial on ramp.

For current graduate students and young professionals, the Detroit SHA Conference and theme of “mobility” presents the perfect opportunity to find that next road in your career and embody the expanded conference theme of movement. The ACUA Mentoring Program will be continuing for the 9th consecutive SHA to provide mentoring and professional contacts to students and early career mentees. We know a career in underwater archaeology will not be easy, which is why since 2018, the ACUA has continued to develop the mentoring program, building on feedback, and introducing new methods to provide support to mentees. For the 2026 SHA in Detroit, the Mentoring Program will again host an opening reception for mentees, mentors, and past mentees, generously sponsored by the Past Foundation (https://www.pastfoundation.org/). This is an opportunity for mentee and mentor pairings to meet, and also welcome back past mentees as additional sources of guidance and advice. These past mentees are a new opportunity for 2026 mentees to help connect as a peer resource for current mentees that may want the perspective of a more recent graduate. We will also be continuing our resume/CV coaching between mentees and mentors, as well as walk-up opportunities to meet various ACUA Board members in the book room.

If you are interested in becoming a mentee, then please get moving and follow the link to the 2026 mentee questionnaire for the Detroit SHA. As someone who recently needed mentoring again, my advice is to never undervalue the opportunities to learn from people who have been at the crossroads we all face in our careers. 

We look forward to meeting you all. See you in Detroit! 

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