9th February 2006, 06:35 PM
These are all issues which were largely present in peoples minds when I graduated ( in 1990!). One point that should be made is that archaeological degrees have never been ( and should not be!) vocational and should be seen as very good degrees offering a unique combination of science and humanities based skills. Whilst there is a decline in student numbers at the moment, this may be fluctuation rather than a trend, and may well stabalise as the new system beds down ( or breaks!).
In terms of career development I have posted links to relevent documents, and Kate Geary has put up a useful statement about that elsewhere on this site, and I recomend people read those documents and make up their own minds. I would recomend people to get experience and try to explore as much of the discipline whilst at University and in the first few years and think as early as possible about where they want to go ( granted I only decided when I was 30...but there is nothing to stop you changing your mind)
moving further off topic, there are already significant skills shortages in some areas, and this can already lead to individuals getting pay rises or landing longer contracts. On a more collective basis the only mechanisms which exist at present to raise wagges are the IFA and BAJR - which is frustratingly slow! Unfortunately until the majority of archaeologists unionise to support collective barganing, more stable contracts etc and show that they will exert serious pressure to improve their pay, its not going to happen.
coo coo coo Miaow Miaow Miaow coo coo coo coo
In terms of career development I have posted links to relevent documents, and Kate Geary has put up a useful statement about that elsewhere on this site, and I recomend people read those documents and make up their own minds. I would recomend people to get experience and try to explore as much of the discipline whilst at University and in the first few years and think as early as possible about where they want to go ( granted I only decided when I was 30...but there is nothing to stop you changing your mind)
moving further off topic, there are already significant skills shortages in some areas, and this can already lead to individuals getting pay rises or landing longer contracts. On a more collective basis the only mechanisms which exist at present to raise wagges are the IFA and BAJR - which is frustratingly slow! Unfortunately until the majority of archaeologists unionise to support collective barganing, more stable contracts etc and show that they will exert serious pressure to improve their pay, its not going to happen.
coo coo coo Miaow Miaow Miaow coo coo coo coo