Mature students job prospects

[Louloubelle]

I did a degree in archaeology many years ago - I graduated in 95 in fact and left archaeology behind to work in social care. I am now in my early 30's and halfway through an MA in field archaeology. Am I dreaming to think that I would get a job in the field? - My experience of excavation is very old now, and although I am learning really practical stuff, I feel my great age is going to go against me. Any advice please?

[Curator Kid]

I don't think you're dreaming at all, but make sure you are also physically fit if you want to go back into the field! My career as a digger was pretty much over by the age of 27 because of injuries - you don't say how much digging you did before, but if it wasn't much remember that it can be demanding, so look after yourself. If the job prospects are a real worry for you, you're at a good point in the MA to explore some other options for employment as well - don't forget that there are university departments, Sites and Monuments Records and Local Government curatorial offices, as well as finds specialists, conservators, illustrators, surveyors, researchers and the like. They are all archaeologists too, and you may already posess skills which are readily transferable to one of these careers and would combine well with your course. Good luck! :)

[mercenary]

CK is right look after your body and it doen't matter how old you are.

I got in to Archaeology quite late (I was 2:face-thinks:with no problems, and that was in the mid '90's when there was a lot less fieldwork going on.

Ten years on however my body is just about clapped out, largely due to a macho and naive attitude to physical limitations.

Good luck:)

[Louloubelle]

My problem is not lack of fitness - well, nothing that giving up smoking wouldn't cure - it's that I feel I am stuck because I don't have 6 months commercial archaeology experience, and can't seem to get a job without that - But how on earth do I get it in the first place? I feel I am going round in circles. I would like the field experience before I decide where I want to specialize. :(

[mercenary]

Hmmm....

I had to volunteer when I started. I didn't think it was like that anymore though. I also had to be itinerant to cobble together work. You may just be in one of those regions where not much happens.

Are you lumbered by the mid 30's encumberances of nice home and partner? If so, you probably need to decide how much you want to work in the field. I myself am about to pack off my partner to the other end of the country because the work has dried up for her here. She's got many years experience as well. But it was that or start again in a new career.

It's a tough choice.

[Louloubelle]

Actually, I have recently got rid of both partner and house, so I find myself with very few ties apart from friends and two dogs. I am living in London, where you would expect there to be lots going on, but maybe I am just not up to speed enough yet to get my CV even looked at.Or am I just not persistant enough?

[mercenary]

Persistence is important as well as stubborness. When I worked in the big smoke both PCA and AOC occasionally took volunteers. I'm not sure about MoLAS. Are you hassling them over the phone? Sometimes that's what is needed. It's all too easy to ignore a CV.

What about the archaeologist pubs. I've been hired after meeting people in the Wheatsheaf in Southwark. Might be worth a try.

Stick with it.:)

[troll]

Louloubelle-Greetings. I hit 40 this year and still diggin! Age has very little to do with it mate. You sound like your in that hideous vaccuum where nothings coming in despite lots of effort going out. You should be able to get paid work-there are units out there who may just take you on on the same rates and conditions as any other established worker-failing that, there are units who will take you on as a "trainee" and pay you a bit less. Volunteering can be a way in but, use as a last resort if possible. If you`re looking for six months experience-get that experience within a commercial "unit" environment. Write/phone/e-mail everyone. Have another look at your c.v/resume...does it read well? Be honest with potential employers-they would rather take a more mature and clearly motivated individual on than they would a tired/jaded/hungover/endemically late young gun. Keep at it.When you hear nothing, don`t get down about it. A unit can (and do) pick your details up months later when they need you. Some units are in the habit of taking a handfull from the pile of c.vs in the pool. Make sure that your`e c.v is nearly always at the top of the pile-re-send a hard copy every quarter. Phone units. Be a pain in the arse. Keep us informed mate...carpe jugulum......:D By the way, your`e in the perfect situation to pack up and sod off onto the circuit for the summer! My kids are grown-up, I live wiv Mum...therefore, I goes where the diggin`s at!! Once you`re known...youre flyin....if no-one knows who you are/has never dug with you......?? Go for it...:D

[Louloubelle]

Thanks for the replies. Mercenary, you have made me choke with laughter on my breakfast this morning, with the idea of hanging out in pubs in Southwark, sidling up to people and making suggestive remarks about the prospect of short term employment. How do I know they are archaeologists? Is there a hanky-in-the-back-pocket dead giveaway type thing, or do I just approach the ones sobbing into their pints?

But thanks for that. Maybe I am just not confident enough to harass people. I shall have to start learning how..if I can work with drug users for 7 years I am sure I can cope with anything!:)

[mercenary]

Glad to amuse.:D

In the Wheatsheaf they are all archaeologists. Or were when I mucked about down there. They are obvious cuz they are dirty. The clean ones are probably archaeologists too, but worked in the office that day.

Don't worry about being embarrassed trying to angle for work, we all do it. Whenever I meet archs from other companies they ask about the work prospects with my unit, whether they are employed currently or not. It's all part of staying clued up about the market. Passivity makes it all very difficult and you ripe for exploitation when you do find work. Don't worry though, many experienced types have not worked that one out yet.

I named myself mercenary because even though I am by no means a money grubbing capitalist I've found a mercenary attitude to changing employment when offered more is a useful way of being treated well. Believe it or not even with little practical experience you have something very important to sell to employers. Serious and committed archaeologists are relatively rare, so if you are one you'll stand out a mile from the dilettants.

[Louloubelle]

Well, after some fervent CV sending I have been offered various jobs, including one in Ireland. Are they mad - would units really employ people like me, or are they so desparate that they would employ anyone with a pulse for desparations sake - What I really want to know I guess is are units employing any old bollocks just to get the job done or have I just answered that question my self? Will I get to learn anything, or am I destined for a life of mattocking until I am done for- which may not be that long?

[mercenary]

How they treat you is largely up to you. Try and get as much as you can out of the job by being very proactive, and if they teach you nothing at least you get that magic 6 months you thought you needed, and can move on to a better unit. I worked (twice!) for a unit that features regularly in the named and shamed club, early in my career. I think most archs work for the odd duff unit, but it better prepares you to know a good situation when you see it.

Well done, and don't underestimate your worth. They need you.:D

[Alfie]

I would add that what you learn is up to you too. I spent my first couple of digging years getting confused, going home at night and reading up so I could start work the next day with a solution to try.Also you are going to be in the circuit, as we used to call it,so you are going to work with people who will know people who will be moving all over the world to the next site. Thats where your next job will come from I should think. Be positive, happy and interested and you will be snapped up by a classy unit. Well done, good luck.

[Oxbeast]

well done, Louloubelle, get in there.
And don't sell yourself short. You are hardly "anyone with a pulse". You've got some experience, a degree and a masters. And willingness to move about and learn things, using things like brain and initive. Take care of your knees, talk to the old diggers down the pub and try to get some post-ex in. I reckon it makes your recording much better.