23rd October 2004, 10:39 AM
Hello all.
I have just graduated this year and as a mature student I was aware how hard it would be to find employment in archaeology. In total I have had 13 weeks experience most of it digging skeletons. I have applied for countless jobs who ask for "some" experience i.e. 2-3 months the big "but" is that yes these units do not require much experience but obviously when people with more experience than yourself applies they are going to choose that person.
This can be and is very frustrating because like the old saying goes "to get the job you need experience but to get experience you need a job" and I am beginning to think that I will never get one, not even anything temporary until I work for countless months possibly as a volunteer to get that experience (which of course I am willing to do) but I do think that some form of extra training should be offered by these bigger units and universities to prepare people who are willing and wanting to learn these skillswhich will ultimately make them suitable for positions that are being offered.
Jackie
I have just graduated this year and as a mature student I was aware how hard it would be to find employment in archaeology. In total I have had 13 weeks experience most of it digging skeletons. I have applied for countless jobs who ask for "some" experience i.e. 2-3 months the big "but" is that yes these units do not require much experience but obviously when people with more experience than yourself applies they are going to choose that person.
This can be and is very frustrating because like the old saying goes "to get the job you need experience but to get experience you need a job" and I am beginning to think that I will never get one, not even anything temporary until I work for countless months possibly as a volunteer to get that experience (which of course I am willing to do) but I do think that some form of extra training should be offered by these bigger units and universities to prepare people who are willing and wanting to learn these skillswhich will ultimately make them suitable for positions that are being offered.
Jackie