Jobs for which you apply, or applications to graduate school, often require letters of reference or recommendations from faculty members or others who know you and your abilities well. These often pose a problem for students who have not prepared for getting them. Pity the student who has made little effort to get to know one or more faculty members and needs a letter! Here are some things you ought to know.
You will meet many faculty members at USD, and several will be in Anthropology. USD classes are usually small, so the faculty members tend to know students pretty well academically. However, some students never spend much time getting to know the faculty members outside the classroom. Most faculty members are very willing to spend time with students, either in conversation or in some other Anthropology activity (or sometimes even, a social event). Most of the faculty are sort of friendly, actually, and very willing to find out about you. Certainly they get busy and have deadlines, just as you do, and might ask you to come back at a more convenient time. But as often as not, they will make time to talk with you.
Try also to volunteer for APES or other Anthropology events where you get to work more closely with faculty. This will let them see that you are interested and will give them something to write about other than just things about classroom performance. If you have a professor in another department who you think might be a good reference, take time to make contact with them too.
If you are applying for a job or grad school, simply go to the faculty member and ask if they would be willing to be a reference. If they agree, you're in business. If there is a form to fill out, get the form to them as soon as possible. Be certain it is carefully filled out, typed if possible. Be sure the faculty member knows the deadline and where to send the recommendation. After a few days pass, ask the faculty member if they have sent the letter or form. You will find out that some faculty members are more efficient than others. Some will need reminders; others may actually send the letter before you send in the application! Don't be afraid to follow up on a letter with a faculty member.
Most recommendation forms now have a place for you to waive your future right to see the letter. You certainly do have a legal right to see the letter at a later date, but we recommend that you sign the waiver. The reason for this is simple. If you may see the letter at some later date, the referee may not be totally honest. If the people making the decision about the job suspect this (erroneously or not), it may affect their decision. If you are worried about whether a letter will be good, simply ask the faculty member if they are willing to write a good letter for you. This should solve the problem. Some may actually show you the letter or give you a copy.
If you plan to apply for a great number of jobs, you may wish to set up a permanent file in the placement bureau on campus. Ask the referee to write a letter generic enough to serve a variety of purposes.