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27th August 2008, 01:09 PM
For a free GIS program to try out.. and play with
start on the basics and work up to metadata!
http://www.qgis.org/
Quantum GIS (QGIS) is a user friendly Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS) that runs on Linux, Unix, Mac OSX, and Windows. QGIS supports vector, raster, and database formats. QGIS is licensed under the GNU General Public License. QGIS lets you browse and create map data on your computer. It supports many common spatial data formats (e.g. ESRI ShapeFile, geotiff). QGIS supports plugins to do things like display tracks from your GPS. QGIS is Open Source software and its free of cost (download here)....
http://download.qgis.org/downloads.rhtml
"I don't have an archaeological imagination.."
Borekickers
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4th September 2008, 01:12 PM
From various contacts it would seem to be the case that some of the environmental and engineering companies have started to make archaeologists redundant already.
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8th September 2008, 09:44 PM
Thanks for all the advice folks :face-approve:
Am now stepping up the job hunting and sending out apps left right and centre as the bank has refused to give me the money for a masters. Barstewards.
'There is no great genius without some touch of madness'... that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it
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8th September 2008, 09:55 PM
Sorry to hear about the bank. On the up side you'll be bound to find the fieldwork will give you a more rounded perspective on whatever master's you'll eventually get around to doing. I've never yet anybody whogot to put their master's topractical use when they first started, too busy learning new stuff. good luck:face-approve:
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22nd September 2008, 11:41 PM
I would have to echo trowelmonkeys sentiments although i was disappointed at the time, i have to admit not getting the funding for an ma turned out to be a huge advantage. I took two years out digging on the circuit and the experience was a massive eye opener - i will never unquestioningly accept the findings of a report again!
NOt only did it give me chance to do a few pipelines to save up to pay my fees, but it gave me the contacts and experience that allowed me to work in archaeology while i did my MA.
Just keep trying - you've unfortunately graduated at a pretty bad time but it wont last forever, I got hold of the current archaeology list of archaeological units, cross referenced it with BAJR units list and sent every company a cv. Its time consuming but it works - one time is all you need to get you on your way!
Make sure that if all youve got is enthusiasm it shows through - try not to get too down. Big hugs and let us know when you find a job :face-approve:
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23rd September 2008, 12:03 AM
Trowelfodder is right. Getting turned down for MA funding was one of the best things that happened to me, though it didn't feel like it at the time, nor for the next two years living in manky sharing houses saving the cash for tuition fees. Nor yet for the two further years it took me to get a decent job (by archaeological standards). Best of luck with the circuit- you'll find out if it's really for you. Just think how much fun you'd have had paying back the loan on digger money.
PS-I once had a phone call from a confused (and apparently desperate) PM asking me if I could identify someone from the years he had worked for me and his subsequent employment. Turned out he'd forgotten to attach page 1 of the CV and had signed his name as an illegible sprawl. There's a moral to that somewhere
