PhD options

[kevin wooldridge]

I am sure that the job prospect at the end of the line is a major consideration, but bear in mind that the outlook for jobs in academic archaeology (let alone in field archaeology) is not rosy right now. At present many non-tenured jobs in archaeology departments are under pressure and those pressures are likely to increase once the full impact of increased tuition fees and the withdrawal of funding for humanities courses take effect. I agree with GP Stone that you may well make plenty of contacts in academic circles and Yes...there is the possibility that one of those might be serendipitous to future career/life balance, but it isn't anything that can be counted on as an absolute - you should also consider that it is quite likely if you enter a one legged arse kicking contest, that nearly all of the people you meet will be one legged arse kickers....

But in some ways this makes your decision easier. If you take the prospect of 'potential' employment out of the equation that only leaves the academic considerations, which to my mind are twofold. One you either already have something to say which will be best said though the publication of an academic thesis or you have something to research which the format of a PhD would be best suited for researching. With the former of course there are other avenues you could still follow - other publication outlets and formats. With the latter, private research is still possible and at the same time choosing another form of gainful employment to keep the wolf from the door.

So my suggestion would be reject the PhD as a means to an end i.e employment, but to seriously consider the PhD as an end to a means or a means which might have other alternatives. Reading our other BAJR thread at the moment (on depression amongst archaeologists) I would suggest at the end of the day that the right choice is the one that brings you the most happiness and the least grief...