Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: SunkenCiv

I know a guy that has a degree in archeology and can not find a job in that field. He says there are too many volunteers willing to work for nothing for him to get a job.


7 posted on 08/04/2019 3:41:33 PM PDT by mountainlion (Live well for those that did not make it back.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: mountainlion; SunkenCiv
"I know a guy that has a degree in archeology and can not find a job in that field. He says there are too many volunteers willing to work for nothing for him to get a job."

Probably a fair statement, but sounds like a marketing problem, to me...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have a lifelong interest in and love for archaeology -- BUT...

The field pays so poorly (as does public teaching) that it simply was a non-starter -- competing against careers available for someone with additional interest/talents in the physical sciences.

But, it makes a delightful retirement avocation. Fortunately, THC (the Texas Historical Commission) has a great volunteer program for serious, experienced avocational archaeologists: the Texas Archeological (Texas official spelling) Stewards Network.

AFAIK, I've never "taken a job from" a professional archaeologist.

But, I avoid "getting in front of the bulldozers" -- where most of the paying jobs are... Most of my projects are smaller ones that are of scientific archaeological interest -- but are not attractive to big $$ for "Contract Archaeology", which is where most real money is spent.

When I do encounter something of that sort, it is simple enough to call or e-mail THC -- and "make a hand-off to the pros"...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Apparently the aforementioned individual has a BS/BA degree -- and plans to go no higher in education. That mostly qualifies him to be a "shovel bum" -- and there are, indeed, plenty of non-degreed folks ready to take those jobs.

Most major development projects require (and budget for) an "Environmental Impact Statement" -- which includes a "Cultural Resource (archaeological) Impact" Statement. There are lots of "CRM" (Cultural Resource Management) firms who serve that need.

BUT...CRM forms look at degreed folks as leaders -- not laborers! Perhaps the subject could develop/emphasize an additional skillset (photography, cartography, writing, etc) and market himself to CRM firms...

14 posted on 08/04/2019 5:15:12 PM PDT by TXnMA ("Allah" Satan's current alias. | "Islam": Allah's assassins. | "0bama": Allah's covert mullah.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson