Diversity

[Wax]

"The simple truth is that there are not many jobs available for new archaeologists."

Thanks Doug those figures are rather sobering.

[Doug]

Cheers PP and Wax, glad you found it of use.

[John Wells]

My impression, as an outsider looking in, is that many study archaeology as they would history. How many history undergraduates intend to be professional historians?
How many people after a first degree never want anything to do with their subject again? I started having doubts after only one year into my physics degree ;o)

Archaeology courses can attract those of a liberal arts, gentille disposition, whereas the subject in practice can be more like open air coal mining, involving prolonged physical effort in less than flattering postures.
Psychological profiling and selection by assault course and deprivation would not be out of place!

Those aiming for status, security and money will always go for the professions, law, banking, medicine, accountancy etc or anciliary, lower paid, but 'respectable' professions with some ethnic 'minorities' being very well represented.
Status, security and money are not the first things that come to mind with archaeology!
Working long-term as a professional field archaeologist strikes me as one of the most demanding selective processes, physically, psychologically and financially, which only the most determined (or lucky!) will endure.

As for studying for a degree, I believe it should always be about your passion for the subject and a time to enjoy life. Think postgraduate training, or at least a Masters, for anything job related, and then be prepared to travel anywhere.

Concepts of 'Class' are outmoded and pertain more to state of mind than upbringing and can be further confused by considerations of ethnicity.
That is not to say that wealth, influence and privilege will not always be there.

[Jack]

Just a quickie....

I agree John, a concise summary of the world of archaeology.

Personally I was completely unaware you could do a degree let alone a job in archaeology until I'd failed my first degree. As a child/teenager all I had drummed into me from outside was maths, science and engineering...get good grades, get a good job.

But in all I don't get this thread............what's the question? Diversity? Are there cultural, class-based and educational biases in career choices?

Of course there are.


I can't see that the aspirations and career choices of a Palestinian growing up in the occupied west bank, a rich child from Chelsea, a child running from the turmoil in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a child living rough on the streets of govan, the child of a rich Chinese industrialist...etc etc being the same

But is this a bad thing?

Cultural diversity is as important as bio-diversity

[Tool]

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that doesn't see the problem as it is oft portrayed. If there is a problem at all. As to the 'problem' of not enough jobs to go around, well, I only got into archaeology because of the lack of openings in professional beer and bed testing...

[Jack]

.....or is there an assumption that because the majority of archaeologists working in this country are of European descent that there must be discrimination to cause this? Is it the issue of equal opportunities?

Or is that archaeology is missing out on wider perspectives from people brought up in different parts of the world??

I personally think that someones gender, sexuality, ethnicity, age, size, skin colour, accent, upbringing etc etc, are irrelevant to whether they can do the job or not.
But these factors may influence whether that individual wants to do the job!

[BAJR]

I personally think that someones gender, sexuality, ethnicity, age, size, skin colour, accent, upbringing etc etc, are irrelevant to whether they can do the job or not.
But these factors may influence whether that individual wants to do the job!

Damn good quote... damn good

[Tool]

Damn good quote... damn good

Seconded. :face-approve: