9th March 2011, 02:27 PM
(This post was last modified: 9th March 2011, 05:35 PM by Boxoffrogs.)
All,
We all need to reconsider where we are and where we are going as opposed to where we want to be. The job market is contracting fast and is likely to tighten still further once the Council budgets kick in next month. It is not just Archaeology that is being held to ransom, other professions are likewise suffering, but in the main their professional bodies (as DA says) have systems in place to help their members. Our 'profession' seems sadly lacking here.
When the National Trust get in excess of 700 applications for one archaeology post I feel that we collectively need to re adjust our sights and think of new careers. Not something I truly want to do, but given that there seems to be little alternative... Do we re-train or take factory jobs/sweep the streets/pick fruit? At the tender age of 55 I have been advised (unofficially and off the record) by DWP to think of my recent redundancy as early retirement..
The depression and stress of my continued unemployment, lack of house sale (I HAVE to sell), the break up of my marriage (in part caused by the stress of the last two years in this profession), the recent death of a very close relative and my continued financial decline is now beginning to tell. I no longer sleep a full night, I can not concentrate on reading or writing, I am irritable to the 'nth degree, I hate TV and loath noise in general. Life seemingly has little to offer in the positive.
If I/we can find solace in being able to let off steam and talk to others in a similar state/position I feel that it can only help.
Having attended a recent 'professional CV seminar' I am happy to share advice, hints and tips on CV's and presentation should anyone so like.
So I sit here throwing raisins at the blackbirds shooing the wood pidgeons after preparing the eveing meal and completeing the house work 15 years post the degree of my choice and now wasted.
We all need to reconsider where we are and where we are going as opposed to where we want to be. The job market is contracting fast and is likely to tighten still further once the Council budgets kick in next month. It is not just Archaeology that is being held to ransom, other professions are likewise suffering, but in the main their professional bodies (as DA says) have systems in place to help their members. Our 'profession' seems sadly lacking here.
When the National Trust get in excess of 700 applications for one archaeology post I feel that we collectively need to re adjust our sights and think of new careers. Not something I truly want to do, but given that there seems to be little alternative... Do we re-train or take factory jobs/sweep the streets/pick fruit? At the tender age of 55 I have been advised (unofficially and off the record) by DWP to think of my recent redundancy as early retirement..
The depression and stress of my continued unemployment, lack of house sale (I HAVE to sell), the break up of my marriage (in part caused by the stress of the last two years in this profession), the recent death of a very close relative and my continued financial decline is now beginning to tell. I no longer sleep a full night, I can not concentrate on reading or writing, I am irritable to the 'nth degree, I hate TV and loath noise in general. Life seemingly has little to offer in the positive.
If I/we can find solace in being able to let off steam and talk to others in a similar state/position I feel that it can only help.
Having attended a recent 'professional CV seminar' I am happy to share advice, hints and tips on CV's and presentation should anyone so like.
So I sit here throwing raisins at the blackbirds shooing the wood pidgeons after preparing the eveing meal and completeing the house work 15 years post the degree of my choice and now wasted.