Careers in Archaeology: Options and Opportunities
Be prepared to discuss the following:
1. What kinds of jobs are open to archaeologists? How do career paths
differ in terms of the preparation they require, the availability of
jobs, the job setting, and the kind of work that is actually done? What
is the difference between “academic” archaeology and “professional”
(or compliance) archaeology? What type of job appeals to you and why?
To answer these questions, read Neuman and Sanford, chapter 1, and check
out at least one of the websites listed below.
Web resources on choosing archaeology as a career:
http://www.sha.org/sha_cbro.htm
(The Society for Historical Archaeology's "Careers in Historical
Archaeology" page)
http://www.saa.org/publications/ArchAndYou/chap3.html
(“Archaeology as a Career or Avocation,” from the SAA
website)
http://archnet.asu.edu/archnet/faq/career_faq.html
(Archnet's "General Information on Starting a Career in Archaeology,"
with links to other resources and job listings)
http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismdepts/anthro/dlcfaq.html
(David Carlson’s “Frequently Asked Questions about a
Career in Archaeology in the U.S.")
IN ADDITION
2. Find a listing for a field school or internship that appeals to
you. What is the application procedure, and what are the selection criteria?
NOTE that other listings can be found at the websites for different
institutions (like the Smithsonian). Use a search engine (like google.com)
to find the institution’s home page and follow the links to internships
or educational opportunities. You could also enter the institution’s
name and “internship” on the Google search page. For universities
that run field schools, you might find information by going to the anthropology
department and following the archaeology links. Also, a copy of the
previous year’s Fieldwork Opportunities Bulletin (published by
the Archaeological Institute of America) is available in Diane Snyder’s
office on the 4th floor of the Carpenter Bldg.
3. Find two ads for jobs in two different kinds of institutions (e.g.
a university or college, private CRM firm or government office, or other
context that requires an archaeology background [e.g., museum]). What
are the duties, required skills or expertise, and pay? If possible,
find additional information on the institution, firm, or office.
Online listings of jobs, internships, and field schools
http://www.saa.org/careers/job-listing.html
Job listings at the SAA website.
http://aaanet.jobcontrolcenter.com/
Job listings at the AAA website (primarily academic).
http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/index.asp
Listing of federal jobs, including positions for archaeologists.
http://www.acra-crm.org/jobs.html
Job listings at the ACRA (American Cultural Resources Association) web
page.
http://www.archaeologyfieldwork.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi
Job listings and other useful links.
http://www.archaeological.org/webinfo.php?page=10016
The AIA's Archaeological Fieldwork Opportunities search page.