From high school dropout to Double Eagle candidate
After dropping out of high school nearly a decade ago, Robbie Jorge, was ready for a life change. Jorge acquired a GED diploma, applied to 糖心Vlog and became an anthropology student at the age of 26. In just a few days, he will be part of the first generation in his family to acquire a college degree.
Jorge鈥檚 passion for anthropology and archaeology is deep rooted in a lifelong curiosity for past cultures.
鈥淕rowing up, my parents would take me to state and national parks that had a historical element to it,鈥� he said. 鈥淗earing those stories piqued an interest in learning about what happened in the past.鈥�
While studying , his research focused on human conflicts. Specifically, he uncovered how events of the American Civil War impacted the smaller towns of the Coastal Empire.
He grew up in Effingham County, Georgia, with significant historical events that took place in his backyard.
鈥淭here’s tons of history here, and it鈥檚 all tangible things to see and touch,鈥� Jorge added. 鈥淭his field allows you to look at the communities here differently. Especially with some smaller communities here that were around.鈥�
Through , Jorge and his fellow students were able to explore multiple historic sites in search of artifacts.
Finding his first artifact at an old battle field will be a moment Jorge never forgets.
鈥淢y heart was pounding,鈥� he recalled. 鈥淚 was thinking, 鈥極h my goodness. This is crazy. This is something. I’ve made it.鈥欌��
Unlike many other students in the program, Jorge then takes that excitement home to a young family. On top of pursuing a four-year undergraduate degree, Jorge has been raising three kids as a single father.
While studying at Georgia Southern, his professors even made his children feel like they were part of Eagle Nation.
鈥淚’ve brought my kids to campus a couple times,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he professors are very welcoming and let them look around. It’s definitely fostered an interest in them and potentially growing up and doing this kind of work.鈥�
Just a month before walking across the stage as a Georgia Southern alumnus, Jorge learned he would be staying in Statesboro for a few more years. He earned a position in the .
From a high school dropout to being the star of his children鈥檚 career day, Jorge is uncovering his own path; a path he could鈥檝e never imagined just a few years ago.
