University of Georgia (UGA) alumnus Jacob Estes reflects on both his undergraduate and graduate journeys and how his interdisciplinary path helped shape a dynamic career, leading him to where he is now!

Originally from East Atlanta, Jacob began his college career playing basketball at a small school where he was awarded a full athletic scholarship to support his higher education. While he excelled academically, he was also recognized as an Academic All-American athlete in his second year. Jacob’s academic achievements led to a full academic scholarship at UGA, and he began his academic tenure there with Advertising as his primary major. While taking miscellaneous electives at UGA, he discovered a passion for anthropology. Ultimately, Jacob pursued a dual bachelor’s degree across the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.  

During his time as an undergraduate at UGA, Jacob points to Dr. Mark Williams as one of the most influential figures in his journey, as he was first introduced to the possibilities of anthropology through his Introduction to Anthropology course. What originally started as a one-off elective course turned into a minor in Anthropology. However, Jacob recalls breezing through the minor within a year and decided to turn it into a second BA to pair alongside his ABJ in Advertising.  

He also cites his experience dealing with multiple disciplines and being in two separate and distinct majors. This oftentimes had him feeling like the “anthropology person” in journalism courses and the “journalism person” in anthropology courses. However, the dual academic path ultimately became a strength. This kind of academic “cross-training" allowed him to develop a broader perspective and a more flexible skill set that would become an invaluable skill in the professional world.  

Furthering this passion of anthropology outside of the classroom and into the field, Jacob participated in a field school in the woods Eatonton, Georgia directed by Dr. Williams. With a focus on farmstead communities, the field school lasted for two and a half months and consisted of hands-on exposure to the discipline. As a capstone to his Anthropology degree, Jacob studied abroad in Switzerland, course work focusing on archaeological survey and a cultural anthropology class focused on old world house construction, and visits to underwater archaeology sites. 

After completing his undergraduate degrees, followed by a 3-year career in the advertising industry, he eventually returned to UGA to pursue his MBA through the Terry College of Business. During his MBA, Jacob also incorporated graduate course work in anthropology and public health. All these paths interconnecting began forming his goals for his post-grad journey. Originally planning on pursuing work in the government sector after graduating in 2009, specifically with organizations like the CDC and NIH, Jacob had to pivot due to the economic downturn of 2008 limiting government opportunities.  

Instead, Jacob entered the private sector, building a diverse and impactful career. Over time, he gained experience across sales, marketing, national accounts, and global strategy, working in areas such as neuroscience, diabetes, genetics, and oncology. Now, he operates in a national-level role within a large, science-driven biopharmaceutical company, with a focus on bridging the gap between drug manufacturers, distributors, and end users. His unique interdisciplinary background allowed him to be flexible and pivot easily among careers, while bringing a new perspective to the field that others do not possess. Jacob discussed how his dual background in anthropology and journalism continues to influence this work today. Both disciplines complemented each other in unexpected ways, whether through storytelling, data interpretation, or effectively communicating ideas. This overlap has become a valuable asset in his professional life.  

When asked if he would have done anything differently during his time at UGA, Jacob explains he wishes he would have taken more business oriented classes in his undergrad as he had no actual real world application experiences before graduating and he had to return for his MBA to receive it. Additionally, he notes that taking medical related courses would have provided a greater versatility and prepared him sooner for the interdisciplinary nature of his current work, where he collaborates with professionals holding various degrees such as PhDs, MDs, and PharmDs. He also notes specific courses that would have helped, including osteology, as it would have helped bridge him into the medical world.  

Jacob also offers advice to current students and young alumni, stating that while idealism is valuable, realism is extremely important. He also emphasizes the importance of setting goals to help structure this realistic aspect of your aspirations. Another piece of advice is to get comfortable with admitting when you’re wrong, along with realizing it is okay to be wrong! Jacob himself sees his greatest strength as his ability to admit when he is wrong, as this also ties into the mindset he has developed for his career that allows him to grow, adapt, and continuously improve across roles and industries. 

When considering his proudest accomplishment, he points to the overall trajectory of his career. Despite an uncertain start during the difficult economic downturn, he was able to successfully build a path for himself and his career. Jacob appreciates how he is tied into the research aspect of his job, giving him the ability to change things from within. He also appreciates how there is a patient at the other end of everything he does, making it so his work is making a direct positive impact in the world. Prior to entering a career that articulates with manufacturers, Jacob possessed a poor opinion on them. However, working in such close proximity and seeing the good they also facilitate has altered this opinion. To Jacob, success is not defined by title, salary, or location, but by happiness and the ability to set and achieve meaningful goals for yourself.  

Overall, Jacob’s journey highlights the power of interdisciplinary education and the importance of adaptability, showing how a foundation in anthropology can lead to impactful and unexpected career paths well beyond academia. He also reflects on UGA’s role in this journey, and how the opportunities presented at the school benefitted his development, while still paying mind to what he would have done differently looking back on the experience with the knowledge he has now.  

If you want to be the next alumni spotlight email anthro@uga.edu.

BY: CASSIE HAUSDORF