16th August 2010, 05:40 PM
Don't think it should really matter about prior qualifications. A exam, test, proof of proffesional competance would be more appropriate. Many of the best field archaeologists I've met have no qualifications whilst many newly graduated may think they know it all but soon discover the truth (I count myself in this category). Many uni's have no practical elements, and those that do often have no real commercial value. I don't mean this as a critism, I don't think that its entirely practicle for uni's to teach field archaeology to a commercial level. I only mean this to say that having a degree doesn't mean you know what your doing, even if you do understand the theory.
Although I suppose I would be nieve not to think that in many of the commercial companies a series of letters after your name does help you raise through the ranks. I can think of one specific instance of an individual (By and far the best archaeologist I've ever worked with [git]) who whilst working at the equivilant grade of an SPO was on the wages of a APO because he didn't have any prior qualifications. I have heard some people say that a degree gives you the theoretical background to place your site in context and thats why you need a degree, but seriously does anyone believe this? I have a degree and I don't think my report writing or site recording has gained any additional clout, eureka moments or thought provoking insights?
Although I suppose I would be nieve not to think that in many of the commercial companies a series of letters after your name does help you raise through the ranks. I can think of one specific instance of an individual (By and far the best archaeologist I've ever worked with [git]) who whilst working at the equivilant grade of an SPO was on the wages of a APO because he didn't have any prior qualifications. I have heard some people say that a degree gives you the theoretical background to place your site in context and thats why you need a degree, but seriously does anyone believe this? I have a degree and I don't think my report writing or site recording has gained any additional clout, eureka moments or thought provoking insights?