CAREER INFORMATION FOR ARCHAEOLOGY MAJORS
It is important to understand that employers hire people, not degrees. The skills and knowledge you develop as a result of your education, as well as in your work and community activities, have the greatest impact on hiring decisions. Listed below are some key skills and knowledge you will acquire as a result of your university education and your focus on Archaeology.
SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE SKILLS
Knowledge of how to make detailed observations in order to gather accurate data and information Techniques to professionally uncover, study and preserve physical evidence and information The ability to create detailed archives and documents based upon research and observation An understanding of how to examine past events to better interpret and understand culture and society Awareness of how to identify and examine the differences between various cultures and societies Skills to re-create historical incidents to facilitate a greater understanding of past events comprehensive reports and presentations and educational resources Knowledge of how to conduct and develop surveys and effectively interview and observe individuals, from different backgrounds, in order to gather key information to understand situations or events Skills in the collection and cataloguing of individual, cultural and historical information and data
Regardless of your major, a university education enables you to develop a wide range of valuable ‘transferable skills’. It is often because of these ‘transferable skills’ that employers seek university graduates .
VALUABLE TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
Information-gathering and Communication Skills
The skills required to identify and access a wide range of relevant information and resources The ability to compile and organize facts and information and to comprehend and apply new and/or unfamiliar information to different situations and settings Skills in preparing interesting, creative and informative presentations which target diverse audiences The ability to develop effective reports, presentations and materials using current technology
Thinking, Planning and Organizational Skills
The ability to learn, understand and interpret information and apply knowledge to new situations The ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and effectively plan/manage time, data and resources Problem-solving skills and the ability to make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively and search for, identify and consider all sides of an issue Skills to effectively analyze and interpret a wide range of information and data to discuss, support and/or reject ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals
Teamwork and Management Skills
Skills enabling you to work effectively as part of a team by identifying your role and contributing, through leading, teaching, motivating and/or encouraging others, to the success of the team An understanding of how to successfully identify, plan and contribute to the goals of a project The ability to oversee, supervise and/or contribute to a project from beginning to end including determining outcomes, planning details, making decisions, assigning roles and completing tasks over )
SOME CAREER OPTIONS FOR ARCHAEOLOGY MAJORS
T Archivist T Underwater Archaeologist T Field Technician T Urban Planner T Field Supervisor T GIS Technician T Editor/Technical Writer T Laboratory Technician T Crime Scene Analyst T Heritage Assessor T Park/Tour Guide T Underwriter/Adjuster T X-Ray Technician T Medical Technician T Events Promoter/Planner T Marketing Developer T PropsMaster/Authenticator T Actuary/Insurance Potential Employers
T Municipalities T Universities T Research Organizations T Libraries/Archives T Hospitals/Medical Centres T Market Research Organizations T Governments T Media Organizations T Development Organizations T Insurance Companies T Parks/Historical Sites T Museums T Construction Companies T Heritage Foundations T Public Relations Firms
T Exhibit Planner/Co-ordinator T Public Archaeologist T Artifact Illustrator T Historical Site Interpreter T Geoarchaeologist T Historical Site Guide T Accident Scene Investigator T Cultural Resources Specialist T Site/Land Surveyor T Environmental Impact Assessor T Librarian/Library Technician T Media Researcher/Advisor T Medical Researcher T Health Records Supervisor T Community Relations Co-ordinator T International Business Manager T Preservationist/Restorer T Opinion Researcher/Statistician
T Forensic Analyst T Principal Investigator T Archaeozoologist T Researcher T Archaeobotanist T Policy Analyst T Travel Writer T Public Educator T Program Director T Building Site Inspector T Developmental Consultant T Documentary Consultant T Resettlement Worker T Medical Administrator T Grant Fund Administrator T Cultural Needs Researcher T Media Consultant T Social Worker
Websites
T Canadian Archaeology Association T Archaeological Survey of Canada T Parks Canada T Canadian Association of Palynologists T Society for Historical Archaeology T Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada T The Ontario Archaeological Society T ARCHAEOEXPEDITIONS T The Heritage Canada Foundation T World Wide E-mail Directory of Anthropologists T Society of Industrial Archaeology T EarthWorks Jobs T Jobs In Archaeology T Canadian Museum Associations T The Appraisal Institute of Canada T Bureau of Canadian Archivests T The Association of Canadian Archivists
www.canadianarchaeology.com/ www.civilization.ca/cmc/archeo/ehome.htm www.parkscanada.pch.gc.ca/ www.scirpus.ca/cap/cap.shtml www.sha.org/ www.sshrc.ca/ www.ontarioarchaeology.on.ca/oas/default.htm www.archaeoexpeditions.com/ www.heritagecanada.org/ www.wings.buffalo.edu/WEDA/ www.sia-web.org/ www.earthworks-jobs.com/ www.archaeologic.com/ www.museums.ca/ www.aicanada.ca/ www.bca.archives.ca/ www.archivists.ca/home/