22nd January 2011, 03:05 PM
(This post was last modified: 22nd January 2011, 03:09 PM by destroyingangel.)
Firstly, couldn't agree more Cheyenne... justifiable rant
Anyway, speaking as someone who is... errr... qualified to answer the questions (six months unemployed and counting)
1. Why is it that archaeologists seem to be unemployable in other industries?
We are both over and under specialised at the same time. For the non-archaeology jobs I've applied for (and actually got some interest/feedback from) they say that I'm either over-qualified and over-experienced in my particular field, yet under qualified and under experienced to move into another one. For my particular specialism (computing stuff), I've got years worth of necessary experience (for archaeological computing), but outside of arch computing (even for those jobs that are close in remit i.e. conservation, ecology, geography) I'm a complete noddy. For non-archaeological computing jobs, I am going up against younger, fitter, faster dudes, some of who have Masters Degrees in computing. Basically, an archaeologist is a 'Jack-of-all-trades, but master of none'.
As Jack of all trades, we are also often too proud to do 'menial' or 'mundane' jobs (unless its to earn some fast cash to: a) pay for the next dig, b) pay off the student loan and/or put off the debt collector, c) pay the bills or d) pay for beer). We think we are 'special' - we are educated, intelligent and deserve respect for our differentness and not-towing-the-line attitude. We don't mind putting up with the sh*t within our own profession, but we won't put up with sh*t in another unless we are desperate. For general McJobs and the like, I'm (we are?) seen as "too proud to work here". That leaves us with temping, but even there we are up against it.
Also as an 'archaeologist', we are often blackballed right from the start. We are a Cinderella profession... everyone wants to be one, those that are one want to stay as one, and die as one. I've been in this profession for nearly 30 years now. I've tried to leave, but it keeps calling me back... that or I just can't kick the habit. Yeah, archaeology is professional heroin! When I'm on it, it's great and I can't get enough, when I'm off it... it's the worst cold turkey going. If you've tried to get out - taking a cv based on this dig, that degree (and that masters degree... oh and that attempted PhD), those desk-jobs to a prospective employer... they'll just look at it and go "he/she's not for us. We feel that you'll take on this job, do it for a while then want to get back to archaeology... we don't feel that you will be committed to us. Why should we spend so many ?1000's on training you up, just for you to dissapear after a few months. Next!"
2. How does an archaeologist re-write their c.v?
After all of the above, basically leave all the archeology crap off the cv. Gear your cv to the employer... most Insurance Sales companies do not need to know that your sepcialism is in "GCMS on food and plant residues adhering to Meso-American pottery". If they do want to know about that (God forbid), then don't bore them to death with it.
3. What other industries welcome/value archaeologists? (our own certainly doesn`t)
If your young enough, adaptable and have a flexible attitude, then other professions will look favourably on you. Do the digging scene for a few years (it looks like an extended gap year on most cv's), then move elsewhere. If your entrenched like I am, then just keep bumbling on... apply anyway.
Suitable professions -
a) Law. The number of times I've seen archaeologists become lawyers is truly astonishing. We, as archaeologists, are literate (did I spell that correctly?), meticulous and methodical. Many skills can be transfreed to law (and vice-versa). Being a lawyer is a good, albeit 'leave your soul and ethics at the doorstep' thing to move into. If you can put aside your (generally) left-of-central, right-on, socially-aware and pc political views, it could be the career for you. The pay's not bad either. There are some positions in the law profession that may ethically sound, but these are few-and-far-between and often oversubscribed (i.e. competition).
b) Archivist/Librarian/Registrar - close in so many ways
c) Undertaker (I see dead people)
d) Ecology / conservation - depends on what you want and what you got. For low-scale practical conservation, archaeology will be looked upon favourably. Higher up (i.e. Ranger) you are up against people who have been doing it a while and/or have qualifications. For environmental consultancy jobs, get on some courses, then apply... you won't get far with just archaeology under yer belt. Learn about fluffys, trees, conservation law and the like. Aboriculture is a good one, but to get one of those you will probably have to take specialised courses in... well for instance... 'aboriculture' (natch), chain-saw use and health-n-safety.
e) I'll think of some more in a while... or maybe there just aren't any more to think of!
Who's going to value us, when we can't even value ourselves? We should be proud for what we are... it's just that we don't shout about it, nor are we able to organise ourselves enough to shout about it. Become accredited, become unionised, value the good, hard-working people in it (and, sorry, but also get rid of those that aren't). simples.
4. What transferable skills do archaeologists have?
Too many to list, but not enough to go on about length about them. Apply the 'Jack-of-all-trades, master of none' principle.
5. How does an archaeologist persuade a potential employer that actually, we`re not from another planet?
Remove the "I'm an archaeologist. I'm brilliant... don'tcha wanna be like me" attitude... a job is a job. Yep, archaeology is a cool profession, but it has it's levels of cr*p just as much as any other. In applying, be honest, be earnest and cross your fingers. Above all, sell yourself not your vocation.
Anyway, speaking as someone who is... errr... qualified to answer the questions (six months unemployed and counting)
1. Why is it that archaeologists seem to be unemployable in other industries?
We are both over and under specialised at the same time. For the non-archaeology jobs I've applied for (and actually got some interest/feedback from) they say that I'm either over-qualified and over-experienced in my particular field, yet under qualified and under experienced to move into another one. For my particular specialism (computing stuff), I've got years worth of necessary experience (for archaeological computing), but outside of arch computing (even for those jobs that are close in remit i.e. conservation, ecology, geography) I'm a complete noddy. For non-archaeological computing jobs, I am going up against younger, fitter, faster dudes, some of who have Masters Degrees in computing. Basically, an archaeologist is a 'Jack-of-all-trades, but master of none'.
As Jack of all trades, we are also often too proud to do 'menial' or 'mundane' jobs (unless its to earn some fast cash to: a) pay for the next dig, b) pay off the student loan and/or put off the debt collector, c) pay the bills or d) pay for beer). We think we are 'special' - we are educated, intelligent and deserve respect for our differentness and not-towing-the-line attitude. We don't mind putting up with the sh*t within our own profession, but we won't put up with sh*t in another unless we are desperate. For general McJobs and the like, I'm (we are?) seen as "too proud to work here". That leaves us with temping, but even there we are up against it.
Also as an 'archaeologist', we are often blackballed right from the start. We are a Cinderella profession... everyone wants to be one, those that are one want to stay as one, and die as one. I've been in this profession for nearly 30 years now. I've tried to leave, but it keeps calling me back... that or I just can't kick the habit. Yeah, archaeology is professional heroin! When I'm on it, it's great and I can't get enough, when I'm off it... it's the worst cold turkey going. If you've tried to get out - taking a cv based on this dig, that degree (and that masters degree... oh and that attempted PhD), those desk-jobs to a prospective employer... they'll just look at it and go "he/she's not for us. We feel that you'll take on this job, do it for a while then want to get back to archaeology... we don't feel that you will be committed to us. Why should we spend so many ?1000's on training you up, just for you to dissapear after a few months. Next!"
2. How does an archaeologist re-write their c.v?
After all of the above, basically leave all the archeology crap off the cv. Gear your cv to the employer... most Insurance Sales companies do not need to know that your sepcialism is in "GCMS on food and plant residues adhering to Meso-American pottery". If they do want to know about that (God forbid), then don't bore them to death with it.
3. What other industries welcome/value archaeologists? (our own certainly doesn`t)
If your young enough, adaptable and have a flexible attitude, then other professions will look favourably on you. Do the digging scene for a few years (it looks like an extended gap year on most cv's), then move elsewhere. If your entrenched like I am, then just keep bumbling on... apply anyway.
Suitable professions -
a) Law. The number of times I've seen archaeologists become lawyers is truly astonishing. We, as archaeologists, are literate (did I spell that correctly?), meticulous and methodical. Many skills can be transfreed to law (and vice-versa). Being a lawyer is a good, albeit 'leave your soul and ethics at the doorstep' thing to move into. If you can put aside your (generally) left-of-central, right-on, socially-aware and pc political views, it could be the career for you. The pay's not bad either. There are some positions in the law profession that may ethically sound, but these are few-and-far-between and often oversubscribed (i.e. competition).
b) Archivist/Librarian/Registrar - close in so many ways
c) Undertaker (I see dead people)
d) Ecology / conservation - depends on what you want and what you got. For low-scale practical conservation, archaeology will be looked upon favourably. Higher up (i.e. Ranger) you are up against people who have been doing it a while and/or have qualifications. For environmental consultancy jobs, get on some courses, then apply... you won't get far with just archaeology under yer belt. Learn about fluffys, trees, conservation law and the like. Aboriculture is a good one, but to get one of those you will probably have to take specialised courses in... well for instance... 'aboriculture' (natch), chain-saw use and health-n-safety.
e) I'll think of some more in a while... or maybe there just aren't any more to think of!
Who's going to value us, when we can't even value ourselves? We should be proud for what we are... it's just that we don't shout about it, nor are we able to organise ourselves enough to shout about it. Become accredited, become unionised, value the good, hard-working people in it (and, sorry, but also get rid of those that aren't). simples.
4. What transferable skills do archaeologists have?
Too many to list, but not enough to go on about length about them. Apply the 'Jack-of-all-trades, master of none' principle.
5. How does an archaeologist persuade a potential employer that actually, we`re not from another planet?
Remove the "I'm an archaeologist. I'm brilliant... don'tcha wanna be like me" attitude... a job is a job. Yep, archaeology is a cool profession, but it has it's levels of cr*p just as much as any other. In applying, be honest, be earnest and cross your fingers. Above all, sell yourself not your vocation.