20th February 2012, 03:38 PM
I've only just come across this thread and think it's about time that these issues are being raised. I graduated in 2008 and then undertook a year long PG degree to make myself 'more appealing' to employers. I have since undertaken numerous volunteer roles/ 'voluntary work placements' to gain more skills and knowledge of various archaeological employment routes (not only commercial archaeology). During this time I have worked outside of the archaeology field because I have no other option, bills need paying and bank of mum and dad only goes so far (I should state that 3/4 years after gratuation I am still living with parents because I can't afford not to).
Last summer I accepted a Grampus Heritage placement to spend 2 months on excavation abroad to increase my digging skills and build towards that '6 months experience' threshold. To do this I had to give up my non-archaeological day job but since returning I have not been able to find work. So I gave up my source of income to improve my archaeology experience to land in a position worse than what I started with. I now have a CV that is considered 'very attractive' with a wealth of various voluntary positions making me a 'catch' to anyone wanting to take on volunteers but not to employ?
To me there should be paid intern positions offered not only by commerical units but also in other areas of archaeology so that graduates can have a chance to get a foot in the door because eventually people will move out of archaeology for better paid jobs or move into retirement but without training fresh graduates at the bottom end of the spectrum who will replace the specialists once they move on?
Last summer I accepted a Grampus Heritage placement to spend 2 months on excavation abroad to increase my digging skills and build towards that '6 months experience' threshold. To do this I had to give up my non-archaeological day job but since returning I have not been able to find work. So I gave up my source of income to improve my archaeology experience to land in a position worse than what I started with. I now have a CV that is considered 'very attractive' with a wealth of various voluntary positions making me a 'catch' to anyone wanting to take on volunteers but not to employ?
To me there should be paid intern positions offered not only by commerical units but also in other areas of archaeology so that graduates can have a chance to get a foot in the door because eventually people will move out of archaeology for better paid jobs or move into retirement but without training fresh graduates at the bottom end of the spectrum who will replace the specialists once they move on?