13th January 2009, 11:27 AM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by monty
Quote from Bob: 'I'm sorry for those graduating this year, but you're better off not starting out in archaeology!!' this is a really pointless and negative statement........and any undergrads should take absolutely no heed...........when things pick up (and they will !)the profession will be crying out for experienced staff as was the case in the not too distant past..........
and my point, Monty, is that there are all ready too many archaeologists with skills, and too many of those are unemployed at the moment. Coming into archaeology at the moment is not something I would suggest to anyone, would you? seriously?
I don't know the exact figures anymore, but this summer there will be another couple of hundred archaeology grads, plus 2nd years all looking for site work, on top of several hundred unemployed, and skilled, archaeologists who have already committed to the profession. The problem is a lack of work, not a lack of staff.
What will these interns get? In archaeology, as we often agree, there is f*** all training, so in a time of financial pressure on units who will train these interns so they are not being used as drudges? It can only be other staff, on top of their existing jobs, and without proper training themselves. Which units will have the flexibility to offer such schemes properly? Units don't train staff properly at the best of times, when they are cutting things to the bone do you think interns will get a good deal. Archaeology does not need this scheme, and is not suited to it for all the reasons we all complain of. If you want to get into Barclays or Microsoft (two companies interested)then I can see three months in a structured internship might be worthwhile, but in archaeology?
BAJR has a training grade, and that is what should be paid, not a level just above student loan income. No intern will get a job at the end of 3 months when there are diggers with 20 years experience out there on the dole. If you want an intern scheme apply for an IFA learning bursary, you'll get a 'decent' wage then, and real skills.