23rd September 2005, 03:04 PM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by 1man1desk
[quote]On the "additional help from students and volunteers" - should archaeologists be giving a freebie to a developer on a PPG16 site by exploiting unpaid help? Back to the bad old days indeed!
Earlier this year I worked unpaid on a PPG16 site but whether or not my situation is typical or not, I don't know.
Not having any luck finding for my first paid work I got in contact with a unit who already knew me as I been involved with them previously for various reasons. I explained the situation and asked if I could be help out/volunteer on any of their projects where I would learn something new to go on my CV and enhance my job prospects. After it was OK'd with all parties involved I was duly offered a few days on an project involving an aspect of excavation I had not done before. The only stipulation was that I was would not start until site clearance and overburden excavation had been completed as it would be unfair to expect me to do 5 days shovelling and barrowing if I wasn't being paid and not learning anything. I did a couple of days there before before going off on a paid job with the same unit. After the paid work I was asked if I would like to go back to the unpaid work for a few days as they had something interesting for me to excavate which would be a good learning experience. I was only too pleased to do so.
OK, so the unit got a few days unpaid labour out of me but I got a lot out of the deal, not least something to add to my CV. I did not feel exploited in any way and I doubt I affected any of financial aspects of the project, either for the unit or the client. More recently I volunteered to help out with a non-PPG16 research project the same unit was undertaking and although I didn't ask or expect to get paid for it, money was found out of a very tight budget and I got a week's wages. Good Karma, I feel.
