23rd January 2008, 02:56 PM
Hi All
Gorilla, I am sure that there are research scientists who have similar feelings, carrying out experiments on crappy expensive drugs to help hypochondriac westerners deal with their bowel issues (brought on by stupid fad diets and ready meals). They once had a future curing cancer before being swallowed by the commercial world of drug testing. The best they can hope for is promotion to chief lab scientist so that they can go to conferences and try to get grants for some proper research. Of course for that to happen the present chief sci has to go and he's been there for years and shows no sign of going.
The Architect who had visions of designing Gaudiesque organic eco-friendly homes, his dissertation was on "socially integrated ergonomic design". Now he's working for A N Other Architects using standard template off the peg designs in order for a large developer to cover an area in squalid little houses which will all be bought up by "investment" landlords to be rented out to struggling families who can't afford to buy their own home.
Archaeologist are not alone in their disappointment about how this vocation/profession of works. There are flip sides, those people who graduate with a BA/BSc and who could fund themselves through an MA/MSc and get a their first job with a salary of £20,000 in a Council and are promoted to Principle Archaeologist two years later as they get on with the boss and aren't embarrassed by their complete lack of knowledge of, or dedication to archaeology but can do that corporate thing well. They are perfectly happy living in that converted farmhouse bought with the help of mummy and daddy. So what if they can't recognise a feature on a site and let units get away with really cheapskate work, they think archaeology is a complete "hoot".
Personally, I decided that instead of whinging (I was the biggest whinger in the hut I assure you) I started volunteering for every educational weekend/evening event that my unit was involved in. I did the arch road shows, I organised school visits (in my own time) I took on responsibilities above my pay grade and then I applied for permanent jobs until I got one, from that one I made sure I got as much training out of it as I could and then applied for every curatorial job I could until getting one I could really get my teeth into. It took me many years but I got there. I'm not saying its easy, and I'm not saying everybody can be as lucky as me, but it can be done, from digger to DC is possible. Unfortunately it can take learning skills apart from on-site and post-ex and most units don't cater for that (if any training is given) and therefore a lot of unpaid work.
This isn't meant to be a "lesson" so sorry if it sound smug (not trying to be). I think I'm making the point that we are not alone in our discontentment and individual solutions are always up to the individual not the system or the organisation they work for. We don't all start with the advantages some seem to have and have a lot further to climb but it is only ourselves they can improve our own lot.
Steven
Gorilla, I am sure that there are research scientists who have similar feelings, carrying out experiments on crappy expensive drugs to help hypochondriac westerners deal with their bowel issues (brought on by stupid fad diets and ready meals). They once had a future curing cancer before being swallowed by the commercial world of drug testing. The best they can hope for is promotion to chief lab scientist so that they can go to conferences and try to get grants for some proper research. Of course for that to happen the present chief sci has to go and he's been there for years and shows no sign of going.
The Architect who had visions of designing Gaudiesque organic eco-friendly homes, his dissertation was on "socially integrated ergonomic design". Now he's working for A N Other Architects using standard template off the peg designs in order for a large developer to cover an area in squalid little houses which will all be bought up by "investment" landlords to be rented out to struggling families who can't afford to buy their own home.
Archaeologist are not alone in their disappointment about how this vocation/profession of works. There are flip sides, those people who graduate with a BA/BSc and who could fund themselves through an MA/MSc and get a their first job with a salary of £20,000 in a Council and are promoted to Principle Archaeologist two years later as they get on with the boss and aren't embarrassed by their complete lack of knowledge of, or dedication to archaeology but can do that corporate thing well. They are perfectly happy living in that converted farmhouse bought with the help of mummy and daddy. So what if they can't recognise a feature on a site and let units get away with really cheapskate work, they think archaeology is a complete "hoot".
Personally, I decided that instead of whinging (I was the biggest whinger in the hut I assure you) I started volunteering for every educational weekend/evening event that my unit was involved in. I did the arch road shows, I organised school visits (in my own time) I took on responsibilities above my pay grade and then I applied for permanent jobs until I got one, from that one I made sure I got as much training out of it as I could and then applied for every curatorial job I could until getting one I could really get my teeth into. It took me many years but I got there. I'm not saying its easy, and I'm not saying everybody can be as lucky as me, but it can be done, from digger to DC is possible. Unfortunately it can take learning skills apart from on-site and post-ex and most units don't cater for that (if any training is given) and therefore a lot of unpaid work.
This isn't meant to be a "lesson" so sorry if it sound smug (not trying to be). I think I'm making the point that we are not alone in our discontentment and individual solutions are always up to the individual not the system or the organisation they work for. We don't all start with the advantages some seem to have and have a lot further to climb but it is only ourselves they can improve our own lot.
Steven