a field archaeologists lot....

[Troll]

" There`s nothing particularly noble about wanting to be a site assistant forever, it just shows a regrettable lack of ambition on your part..."
Discuss...

[the invisible man]

Surely wanting to be a site assistant forever is an ambition in itself?

Ambition could be defined as the desire to progress to positions of more responsibilty, remuneration and/or status.

It could also be defined as the desire to work in the role or occupation that you wish to, that gives you most satisfaction.

So I see nothing noble about it, nor do I see any shame in it.

I used to have a proper job myself.....

[achingknees]

Mature site assistants are a rare breed. While it's a truism that many get tired and weary then leave, there may be other reasons. An old boss of mine wouldn't employ people with too much site experience and little sign of career 'advancement'. He chucked their CVs in the bin. "If theyr'e not supervising by now there's something wrong with them".

[EarlySlav]

I think archaeology would be better if more sites had diggers with 5 to 15 years digging experiance on them. Around the 60-75% level would be good with a pay scale that does not force people either to go up or out.

[vulpes]

Speaking from experience achingknees, your boss probably had a point.

[vulpes]

Troll: "As an aside-I earnt more than the Prime Minister at one point so I know the score".

For those wanting to be site assistants 'forever' I would recommend following Troll's lead (and saving hard) before attempting something so foolish.[:p]

[Beardstroker]

No, Vulpes, he was probabably an idiot, particularly if he was turning away skilled labour, something unit managers cannot afford to do this days.

A previous unit boss of mine had a habit of taking unwarrented dislikes to people that they had employed before, often for totally bonkers reasons, like they didn't like the way they filled their context sheets in or he/she was a bit rude to me in the pub about ten years ago. This resulted in us having virtually no experienced digging staff during an intensly busy period a few years ago. Not terribly clever really.

[vulpes]

Yes, well Beardy, just chucking CVs in the bin is a bit silly really. Everyone deserves a fair crack of the whip, and all applicants who meet the essential criteria should be interviewed (even for site assistant jobs!!!). Still there're some old lags out there who fit the "If theyr'e not supervising by now there's something wrong with them" bill pretty well. It take's all sorts though.

[achingknees]

The idiot was a project officer/manager, but now runs the unit. It was a long time ago and more choice in labour was available.

[Beki]

I know many mature site assistants who absolutely love what they're doing. They feel that going any higter would mean less time on site.

I don't think wanting to be a siter assistant forever shows lack of ambition, it just shows that you love the job and want to stick to it, wheres the harm in that?