Alumni Spotlight – Jill Bjerke

In the following interview with Professor Paul Anderson, Jill shares the story of her career path and reflects upon her experiences as an undergraduate and graduate student at Wake Forest.

Prof. Anderson: What are you doing now career-wise?
Jill: I am lecturer in history at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. I teach ancient and medieval history courses in addition to thematic courses in the history of science, gender, and witchcraft.

Prof. Anderson: What did you do right out of Wake Forest?
Jill: After my master’s at Wake, I pivoted towards medieval history and went to Western Michigan University for an M.A. in Medieval Studies. I then did a Ph.D. in history at the University ofColorado Boulder.

Prof. Anderson: How did Wake Forest Physics help you get where you are today?
Jill: Multiple professors went to bat for me at key moments in my time at Wake, and that made a huge difference in my life. Thinking like a physicist has also helped me in my writing; I approach historical arguments like I would experiments!

Prof. Anderson: Do you have an anecdote you would care to share either from your time at Wake Forest Physics or from afterward relevant to Wake Physics?
Jill: I have many fond memories of late nights in the Olin library working on problem sets with classmates.

Prof. Anderson: Is there anything you would like to share with prospective or current students?
Jill: Don’t start your problem sets (or readings, or papers, or whatever) the night before they’re due!