7th September 2005, 11:40 AM
Merc, I disagree that a degree teaches you how to think. Not everyone I have met who has a degree is actually capable of applying the appropriate level of analytical thought to their site work. I do agree that everyone on site should be working towards understanding the whole process and not just the digging side of it. After all, if they understand why they are asked to do certain aspects of the job then they ought to be able to produce better and more useful site records, and if they want to progress through the ranks then it is useful training for that too. For this reason, I have always encouraged all staff to get involved with all aspects of the job, where possible. This has paid off in many cases, but has also been a gross mistake in certain others since said staff proved incapable of relating the different aspects of the job to each other, or were just too lazy to bother ? and these were people with degrees. Of course, if you are right about a degree teaching you to think, then any degree should be a valid entry point, not just an archaeology degree.
There also seems to be an assumption that those without degrees are incapable of thinking and I find this quite offensive. Just because a person does not have a degree does not mean they are stupid. Likewise, possession of a degree does not automatically confer intelligence, common sense and all that is good in the world.
Cheers,
Eggbasket
Eggy by name, eggy by nature
There also seems to be an assumption that those without degrees are incapable of thinking and I find this quite offensive. Just because a person does not have a degree does not mean they are stupid. Likewise, possession of a degree does not automatically confer intelligence, common sense and all that is good in the world.
Cheers,
Eggbasket
Eggy by name, eggy by nature