29th December 2012, 06:50 PM
(This post was last modified: 29th December 2012, 07:01 PM by John Wells.)
If Ifa becomes like other professional bodies, especially when Chartered, you will find Government departments etc will use Chartered Membership as evidence of appropriate qualification and experience with the usual 'or equivalent' or 'to the standard of'. However, few individuals would want to take the responsibility for employing someone who is not formally recognised by the appropriate professional body! Effectively, membership of the body becomes a requirement.
Over the years, professional bodies usually become increasing demanding in terms of academic standards and practical qualifications/experience and ongoing education, as they tighten their professional requirements. University departments can then become increasingly pressured into the requirements of the professional body as students become aware of the need to fulfill the requirements to gain employment and to have a career. In some fields, the requirements, especially for graduate 'professional development', include extensive assessed work which is costly to have 'marked' by already Chartered Members of the body, leading to effective control of those available in the job market and the level of salaries or fees that can be charged. There may be course requirements too, extending through ones career.
Whether or not this evolution is a good thing for an individual depends on personal circumstances. In terms of political clout and professional standards it is usually the way to go.
At present, archaeology is too readily dismissed and archaeologists too readily disposable!
Over the years, professional bodies usually become increasing demanding in terms of academic standards and practical qualifications/experience and ongoing education, as they tighten their professional requirements. University departments can then become increasingly pressured into the requirements of the professional body as students become aware of the need to fulfill the requirements to gain employment and to have a career. In some fields, the requirements, especially for graduate 'professional development', include extensive assessed work which is costly to have 'marked' by already Chartered Members of the body, leading to effective control of those available in the job market and the level of salaries or fees that can be charged. There may be course requirements too, extending through ones career.
Whether or not this evolution is a good thing for an individual depends on personal circumstances. In terms of political clout and professional standards it is usually the way to go.
At present, archaeology is too readily dismissed and archaeologists too readily disposable!