Her career path into South Carolina State Parks was anything but traditional. While completing her undergraduate degree, Caitlyn worked as an observatory educator at the South Carolina State Museum, where she explored her interest in astronomy. She later worked as an educator at Riverbanks Zoo, where she developed an understanding and appreciation for nature and the environment.
Before joining the park service in December 2024, Caitlyn worked as a professional archaeologist, traveling throughout the Southeast on cultural resource management projects. Just two weeks after graduating, she packed up her car and headed to Miami for her first major project—an experience she describes as both exciting and formative. Over the next several years, she continued working on archaeological sites across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, gaining hands-on experience uncovering and interpreting pieces of the past.
Today, Caitlyn brings all of those experiences together in her role at Colonial Dorchester. “My job at Colonial Dorchester is to protect and interpret our cultural resources,” she explains. “My goal is to connect people of today with people of the past through meaningful experiences and by making sure the history of Dorchester is not forgotten.”
Her position is uniquely multifaceted. On any given day, she may be opening or closing the park, assisting visitors, or maintaining the grounds—traditional duties shared by many park rangers. But her role also includes highly specialised archaeological responsibilities. She manages and monitors collections storage, washes and catalogues artifacts, conducts research and helps translate excavation data into stories the public can understand.
Equally important is her work in interpretation. Caitlyn develops and leads programs, works with school groups, plans events and fosters connections with the community. “One of my favourite duties is being able to research information about Dorchester and share that with the public,” she says. “It’s such a fascinating park with a rich history, so there’s always something new to learn.” She especially enjoys allowing visitors to see artifacts up close, offering a tangible connection to history that leaves a lasting impression.
Like many roles in the park service, her job also comes with unexpected challenges. Whether it’s responding to maintenance issues or managing the many moving parts of daily operations, flexibility is essential. Even so, Caitlyn embraces the variety and unpredictability that come with the role.
Despite the challenges, she strongly encourages others to consider careers in both archaeology and park service work. “There are so many opportunities out there for archaeologists, and you get to travel to really interesting places and have some of the best experiences,” she says. “Park rangers get to work in beautiful environments and share their appreciation for the outdoors with others.”
She also offers honest advice for those interested in archaeology, emphasising that the field involves much more than excavation. “Archaeology isn’t just digging in the ground,” she explains. “A majority of our time is spent in the lab, completing paperwork and planning for excavations.” She stresses the importance of preservation, noting that once an artifact is uncovered, there must be a clear plan for how it will be handled and protected.
While Caitlyn has already found her place at Colonial Dorchester, she’s still looking forward to exploring more of South Carolina’s state parks. Though she’s not yet an Ultimate Outsider, she has her sights set on returning to Table Rock State Park, where she previously hiked Stool Mountain and hopes to do so again.
For Caitlyn, the work is about more than artifacts or programs—it’s about connection. By bridging the gap between past and present, she helps ensure that the stories of Colonial Dorchester continue to resonate with future generations. Thank you, Caitlyn, for your dedication to the South Carolina State Park Service!
Think you might be interested in a job with the South Carolina State Park Service? Click here to see our current full-time job openings or reach out to a park near you for part-time opportunities!
