26th November 2013, 12:43 AM
(This post was last modified: 26th November 2013, 09:12 PM by John Wells.)
My impression, as an outsider looking in, is that many study archaeology as they would history. How many history undergraduates intend to be professional historians?
How many people after a first degree never want anything to do with their subject again? I started having doubts after only one year into my physics degree ;o)
Archaeology courses can attract those of a liberal arts, gentille disposition, whereas the subject in practice can be more like open air coal mining, involving prolonged physical effort in less than flattering postures.
Psychological profiling and selection by assault course and deprivation would not be out of place!
Those aiming for status, security and money will always go for the professions, law, banking, medicine, accountancy etc or anciliary, lower paid, but 'respectable' professions with some ethnic 'minorities' being very well represented.
Status, security and money are not the first things that come to mind with archaeology!
Working long-term as a professional field archaeologist strikes me as one of the most demanding selective processes, physically, psychologically and financially, which only the most determined (or lucky!) will endure.
As for studying for a degree, I believe it should always be about your passion for the subject and a time to enjoy life. Think postgraduate training, or at least a Masters, for anything job related, and then be prepared to travel anywhere.
Concepts of 'Class' are outmoded and pertain more to state of mind than upbringing and can be further confused by considerations of ethnicity.
That is not to say that wealth, influence and privilege will not always be there.
How many people after a first degree never want anything to do with their subject again? I started having doubts after only one year into my physics degree ;o)
Archaeology courses can attract those of a liberal arts, gentille disposition, whereas the subject in practice can be more like open air coal mining, involving prolonged physical effort in less than flattering postures.
Psychological profiling and selection by assault course and deprivation would not be out of place!
Those aiming for status, security and money will always go for the professions, law, banking, medicine, accountancy etc or anciliary, lower paid, but 'respectable' professions with some ethnic 'minorities' being very well represented.
Status, security and money are not the first things that come to mind with archaeology!
Working long-term as a professional field archaeologist strikes me as one of the most demanding selective processes, physically, psychologically and financially, which only the most determined (or lucky!) will endure.
As for studying for a degree, I believe it should always be about your passion for the subject and a time to enjoy life. Think postgraduate training, or at least a Masters, for anything job related, and then be prepared to travel anywhere.
Concepts of 'Class' are outmoded and pertain more to state of mind than upbringing and can be further confused by considerations of ethnicity.
That is not to say that wealth, influence and privilege will not always be there.