In the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones, played by a bottomlessly charming Harrison Ford, searches for and eventually finds the Ark of the Covenant. While the film's villains seek the object for power and prestige, Dr. Jones, a professor of archeology, works to secure the Ark to preserve its cultural and historical significance and to prevent his enemies from obtaining its power. Similarly, UHD English alum Abraham Leija went on a quest of his own, driven by his intellectual curiosity and interest in archival work that led him to a prestigious internship at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH).
Like many cinematic adventures, Leija’s quest began with a detour. After a brief time
at another university studying
computer science, the Baytown native came to UHD, unsure about what major to pursue,
but his path soon became clear when he went on a faculty-led study abroad trip to
London and York, where he explored world-class institutions like the British Library
and the Imperial War Museum. These experiences, combined with taking a class with Dr. Chuck Jackson, Professor of English, sparked an interest
that connected Leija’s passion for historical materials with the metaphorical treasure
hunt that comes with such a archival work. His extracurricular involvement with such organizations as the The Dateline and the Bayou
Review were critically important as well and helped Leija secure his internship at
the MFAH—an opportunity no other UHD English major has ever secured.
For two months this past summer, Leija engaged in hands-on archival work, researching and rehousing MFAH historical materials, and the experience provided him with valuable insight into the world of non-profits, where the sense of shared purpose and vision solidified his career goals and confirmed his desire to work in the public sector as an archivist. First, however, he plans to pursue a Master of Science in Library Science with a concentration in Archival Studies at the University of North Texas.
And just like the Spielberg film, Leija’s UHD adventure led to a satisfying conclusion. By leveraging the opportunities at UHD, he found the purpose he was searching for, proving that with resilience and determination, anyone can achieve their goals.