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Is there a future in studying the past?

1 min read
Is this the time to pursue a course in archaeology? The word from the field that reaches the Current Archaeology offices is that graduates are disillusioned with their prospects: jobs are scarce, competition is fierce and projects are poorly funded. What’s the point?

Archaeology is a fascinating and diverse subject that is hugely enjoyable to study, and can lead on to a multitude of employment opportunities both within the discipline and beyond. There is an increasing pressure on students to choose a course at university that will lead directly into work, yet there is so much more to university life and education than simply establishing a foothold in the job market. Study should be creative and stimulating; so, choose a subject you find absorbing and fulfilling, not merely a means to a pay-packet.
Obviously, with the financial commitment required to spend three years studying, no-one is underestimating the importance of finding paid employment at the end of it. For graduates in the current economic climate, there are no guarantees in any field of study, and an archaeology degree does not limit a graduate to a career in archaeology. On the contrary, it demonstrates to future employers a multitude of valuable attributes above and beyond the ability to attain a degree level of education, such as transferable skills in data analysis, computer proficiency, technical expertise, research and presentation.

Of course, there are some students who are certain that a career in archaeology is what they want. Thinking laterally and approaching your education with imagination and flexibility is the key.

Careers related to archaeology are varied and far-reaching. For example, forensic archaeology can lead to a career in modern criminal investigations; conservators can work for commercial units, in museums or as consultants; archaeobotany and environmental archaeology can be applied to research into climate change in both the public and private sectors. Our own Editor in Chief trained as an accountant before pursuing a career in archaeology by writing about it, and encourages others to consider their options in a similar fashion.

A full-time job outside archaeology does not preclude enthusiastic amateur involvement. Many major excavations survive because of the dedicated volunteers who return year after year, and work every bit a hard as their professional peers. See our digs section for excavations in Britain and abroad. Participating on a dig as a volunteer is also a great way to discover what aspects of archaeology you find most interesting, and even whether or not it’s really for you.

Finally, finances allowing, if archaeology is your passion, why not consider sitting out of the job search and study for a Masters, or even a PhD? The job market will surely be better in the future.

There is a future in the past, and there couldn’t be a better time to study it!

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