18th August 2008, 04:18 PM
... and to get back to the topic...
The job market is cyclical... sometimes we are all living off the fat-of-the-land, then a few years later it is everyone is stoney-broke. Then it comes full circle again and yer back to happysville.
If you are prepared to follow the jobs (the infamous 'circuit') then you should be ok... it [u]can be</u> a fun, flying by the seat of yer pants "yesterday I was in the West Midlands, today I am home, next week I'll be in Outer Mongolia!" sort of thing. Yes, it can be a bloody fantastic job (possibly even up there with Bonekickers!)
But it is more-often-than-not a cold, arduous, nay boring watching-brief on a mud-riddled, fly-infested field in the middle of nowhere.
But that choice is up to you... be prepared to go wherever the jobs are, but also be prepared to accept whatever job it might actually be... it could be pot-washing, it could be fame-and-fortune excavation, it could be wet-sieveing in a cold barn throughout the winter months!
Also, once you get to that heady state of "I am an archaeologist, so there!"... the zenith (or nadir) of the all-singing, all-dancin full time office job should [u]not</u> be the end point. It is not the holy grail of archaeological jobs. Be prepared to take a risk now and again... don't stagnate just because you've found a cushty permanent office job. Sometimes, you may need to take a risk (move-on) to feel archaeologically alive. I moved on just recently... best thing I've done in ages.
Also, for all those old lags out there (like me)... be prepared to know when to call it a day - before your body gives in, yer partner gives up, or your bank manager won't give out.
The job market is cyclical... sometimes we are all living off the fat-of-the-land, then a few years later it is everyone is stoney-broke. Then it comes full circle again and yer back to happysville.
If you are prepared to follow the jobs (the infamous 'circuit') then you should be ok... it [u]can be</u> a fun, flying by the seat of yer pants "yesterday I was in the West Midlands, today I am home, next week I'll be in Outer Mongolia!" sort of thing. Yes, it can be a bloody fantastic job (possibly even up there with Bonekickers!)
But it is more-often-than-not a cold, arduous, nay boring watching-brief on a mud-riddled, fly-infested field in the middle of nowhere.
But that choice is up to you... be prepared to go wherever the jobs are, but also be prepared to accept whatever job it might actually be... it could be pot-washing, it could be fame-and-fortune excavation, it could be wet-sieveing in a cold barn throughout the winter months!
Also, once you get to that heady state of "I am an archaeologist, so there!"... the zenith (or nadir) of the all-singing, all-dancin full time office job should [u]not</u> be the end point. It is not the holy grail of archaeological jobs. Be prepared to take a risk now and again... don't stagnate just because you've found a cushty permanent office job. Sometimes, you may need to take a risk (move-on) to feel archaeologically alive. I moved on just recently... best thing I've done in ages.
Also, for all those old lags out there (like me)... be prepared to know when to call it a day - before your body gives in, yer partner gives up, or your bank manager won't give out.