1st June 2012, 10:06 AM
Quote:I'd like to ask Bonesgirl and Kel whether they felt there was enough information available about the pitfalls of a career in archaeology, before they began their studying and whether that was widely recognized amongst their academic peers?
Before I began my degree in archaeology (80’s) there was an orientation day where you could meet with representatives of the various departments to discuss your chosen subjects. (These were occasions where a department could do the hard sell on their subject and therefore increase numbers.) The guy I met on that day (great person, great archaeologist, now sadly no longer with us,) stared at me in a slightly surprised way when I approached him – it seemed as if no one had bothered him since the days beginning.
‘Hello, I’m going to study archaeology,’ I said, full of vim and good humour.
There was no reply - just raised eyebrows, I decided to fill the stifling vacuum with more meaningless banter.
‘Yes , I’m taking it as my first subject and I’d like to pursue it as a career.’
More silence, the lecturer cleared his throat and said: ‘Are you mad?’
I think now, seeing the scorched remains of Irish archaeology, he had a point, but I would always counter by saying that it doesn’t do to plan too far ahead . . .
And do wave that CV around Bonesgirl - to quote Outkast - 'Shake it like a Polaroid picture.'