+- BAJR Federation Archaeology (http://www.bajrfed.co.uk)
+-- Forum: BAJR Federation Forums (http://www.bajrfed.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: The Site Hut (http://www.bajrfed.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?fid=7)
+--- Thread: IfA 2012 Conference - Is it a worthwhile time/financial investment? (/showthread.php?tid=4325)
IfA 2012 Conference - Is it a worthwhile time/financial investment? - trowelfodder - 20th February 2012
sorry i reread my post and is harsher than i meant it to be! I completely take your point about not being afraid to approach people but in the instance of the guy/girl who approached the forum I cant help but think that that amount of money may be better spent elsewhere - maybe you could send him/her a personal message on who to approach at the IFA for financial help and maybe they can have best of both worlds :face-kiss:
IfA 2012 Conference - Is it a worthwhile time/financial investment? - Unitof1 - 20th February 2012
be interesting to know what type of company paid for you to go as well. Perhaps next time you could introduce yourself as just an archaeologist. I suspect that you would soon find that they would be screwing you into the just a digger position. Good luck with paying off the MA.
IfA 2012 Conference - Is it a worthwhile time/financial investment? - deadlylampshade - 21st February 2012
Direct answer to the question posed - no.
Save your money for better things like buying a round in the site hut bar instead...:face-approve:
IfA 2012 Conference - Is it a worthwhile time/financial investment? - Dinosaur - 22nd February 2012
trowelfodder Wrote:Have you considered that at your career stage membership of the IFA will not provide you with any advantages at all?
...and represents even more money you could be spending on something more useful, eg practical training. After 30-odd years I'm still unable to identify any practical advantage I'd get from joining or which would warrant the time filling out the forms
IfA 2012 Conference - Is it a worthwhile time/financial investment? - P Prentice - 22nd February 2012
Dinosaur Wrote:...and represents even more money you could be spending on something more useful, eg practical training. After 30-odd years I'm still unable to identify any practical advantage I'd get from joining or which would warrant the time filling out the forms
thus spake dinosaur - 30 years in and still trying to get as much overtime as he can
IfA 2012 Conference - Is it a worthwhile time/financial investment? - Jack - 22nd February 2012
I think, if archaeology was a larger industry, with a more defined career path, with more rungs on the step ladder to the corporate top......then it would be worth joining a professional institute.
But then I probably wouldn't be an archaeologist
IfA 2012 Conference - Is it a worthwhile time/financial investment? - Unitof1 - 22nd February 2012
it would be worth it if you were a curator-eh just so that it looks like you are doing something important. and you get your subs paid and are paid to go must also get traveling too plus buscuits
IfA 2012 Conference - Is it a worthwhile time/financial investment? - vulpes - 22nd February 2012
I also think you would be wasting your money, but then I've never been to IfA conference, been a member of IfA blah blah blah xx(
Failing that, why not take a chance. I believe IfA offer bursaries and other forms of financial assistance for those who can't stump up the fees, so you could get a freebie. Some useful looking sessions on offer and the field trips are usually well organised too - BAJR Hosty led one in Edinburgh I was lucky enough to be on a few years back. You'll meet a wide variety of archaeologists including diggers and plenty of other field types, finds sepcialists, academics and yes a few boring curators and managerial types too. Just watch out for the consultants! :face-approve:
IfA 2012 Conference - Is it a worthwhile time/financial investment? - Potcho - 22nd February 2012
Wow: i'm astounded by just how rapidly this thread has grown and just how strong opinions can be regarding the subject.
Just for the record I am a guy and yes I will buy a round in the site hut when this month's pay comes through. In the meantime I would like to thank everyone for their insightful comments. It does seems as though I have been a touch naive/ignorant as to who the IfA truly are, who they truly represent and what they actually do (if anything). Nonetheless, I do wonder whether I should at least dedicate a bit of time and perhaps money, whilst I am still in a position to do so, towards finding out for myself what goes on behind the curtained windows in Reading; as to pass judgement without ever attending an event or conversing with one of these managerial types would almost be akin to suggesting that all Americans are overweight and lacking a marble or two having never even visited the US.
As it turns out, the company I currently work for (on an admittedly temporary basis) are presenting at the conference, so I may at least attend for that one day. If it proves to as bad, or as pointless, as many have suggested I will be sure to inform everyone here as to my opinion and subsequently set aside next year's subscription for those Autocad lessons, or a course in illustration. For the time being, however, I will at least make an appearance, present myself as myself and see what comes to pass. At the very least I know there are plenty of fine watering holes in that fair city where I can pass the time if things become a bit too stuffy!
Thanks again.
IfA 2012 Conference - Is it a worthwhile time/financial investment? - Unitof1 - 22nd February 2012
blood typical archaeologist, you will go far
first you ask us what we think about shelling out to stick you nose up ify places but it turns out that they have already roped you into join the "free" smorgasboard. Mind you blow your nose on the way out .
PS is it the day of the xtraordinary eh egm. Consider taking a few stink bombs whatho.