Why I've Left Archaeology

Hey Guys,
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Bit of a downer video today talking about why I've stopped working in the archaeological sector, which actually something a lot of people my age go through. Also talking about the current labour crisis/shortage in archaeology.
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Thanks for watching!
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[brianshank]

Your courage to change mid-way through your career is admirable. Best wishes for a smooth transition and success in the future.

[artemisapaulina]

I'm 54, when I was 18, I heard the same comments you're making from other people, so I didn't major in Archeology., it was the worst decision I ever made! I regret bitterly not having followed my dream just because I listened to people with bad personal experiences.

[riftfall]

I absolutely appreciate this video! It elegantly voices my concerns with entering the Archaeology profession.

[SaluteToTheSeagulls]

Oh MANNN, how I relate to this so much! Yea I'm at the stage where I've just started a new career that has nothing to do with Archaeology. Very similar story to yours, I was working in CRM and at some point it just became so...unsatisfying. The monotony of everyday, the strain on your body and also the pay. But to be honest it was just that CRM was montonous and at times very politically tense. I turned 30 and I realised, man I want to buy a house and on this path it will not happen anytime soon.

[gabekenton]

I don't know how I stumbled onto this, but you did a great job of explaining your reasons and feelings for leaving the field of archaeology. My feelings towards archaeology and CRM as an American archaeologist are spot on with everything you said. It wasn't so much about the career level for me as much as the traveling, low pay, and lack of benefits. I found a place I love to live and made the choice to start working in healthcare as a new career. I don't regret my choice. This has given me more stability and joy in my life. I still love archaeology and have made it more of a hobby. Now that Covid is not as prominent, I look forward to maybe volunteering at a site or two per year for some short periods and teaching my children about the field of archaeology.

[JonesLeFae]

I totally hear you! I am at a stage now where I am trying to transition to something else - preferably self-employment. In my case, not only is it very difficult to move up the ladder when so much of the work is temporary contract work, I have had several long periods of unemployment (I was unemployed for 6 months over the winter), and the extreme physical demands, not only for me, but for my car as well!

[floridapublicarchaeologyne]

Definitely a tough choice and CRM can be difficult field to navigate. But you’re still doing public archaeology so you’ll always be an archaeologist! Keep up with the content and looking forward to seeing how it grows and your continued advocacy for preserving heritage!

[KinkellaTeachesArchaeology]

What a fantastic video! Factual and honest. This should be required viewing for those looking into a career in archaeology.

[JonFrumTheFirst]

I saw an article on college majors last year. Archaeology was at the bottom of the list - the worst potential for career success.

[annlin_the_archaeologist]

In South Africa its so much worse, I'm also on my way out. I completely understand why you left. I TOTALLY get it.

[williammoore]

Good luck, you seem to be the type of person who will be successful at whatever you choose to do. I enjoy your videos.

[brokenrulerlabs]

Wish more would adopt your mentality about their careers. Balance is important, a person has to take the long view. We also live in different times than back in the past. It's amazing how many ways I have added something special to a young black kids life due to my interest in archaeology and anthropology at large. I'm 54 originally from 🇬🇭. During our shared pandemic experience, I was able to use the material culture of my family to help many black youth connect with bits of their ancestry they had never known. Imagine how special it is to hold a ground stone tool made by african hands thousands of years ago. It's a powerful experience to see their eyes light up with pride and a sense that they come from a really creative ancestoral line. I wish you well. I have no college degree by the way, im just a farmer, but farmers know land, something I can also teach to prospective land stewards. Archeology has to compete with the next generation of land stewards who work along side private land owners to bring our earth back around. Sometimes, the business gets in the way of doing both. Some of us from outside the academic world are trying to offer young people better ways to use the talents and interests they have.

[zombie_snax]

To everyone out there ! Please don't give up . Life happens. Take care of yourself. I'm a construction worker and a felon. ( 4 DUI'S ) The point is that even though we can't do field work abroad and have children. Doesn't mean that we can't continue to study, the internet is both good and bad.

[csluau]

Thanks for sharing this with us all I know this video is two years old but I just now saw it. When I lived in the UK number of years ago, I volunteered to go along to several field walking and excavation sites. It’s how I began to learn about the whole process. I found it to be fascinating, and although far from Indiana Jones :-) to me, it was exciting to see things that were left behind by people from thousands of years ago. Some of these people could have been my ancestors and I was very interested. I still do it occasionally but there has been a lot of very sensitive issues surrounding archaeological sites in North America specifically. Unfortunately, this has had a bit of a damp effect on some of it although I think it has given opportunities to head in different directions with the assistance of indigenous people. With all the storms and crazy weather we’ve been having over the last couple of years. A lot of archaeological sites are being exposed for the first time to open air and the public. I found one a couple of years ago by accident while I was out walking the dog. It led to me and investigating a little bit more and then consulting with a local university and a local cultural organization attached to a tribal council and it went from there. Unfortunately, as you mentioned in the video, there is ongoing development and money talks. So whatever I started to set out to do got blown into the weeds by the developer. I was even told to be quiet and not talk about it, or people that I know that live nearby could have based legal action or financial penalties which would have been terrible so I had to back off and just let it go. Still, I learned that I could probably write a small paper on it. Especially if I linked it with other sites nearby. It’s amazing how many people trying to do this and then decide to go onto other things. Myself included. I never wanted to do it as a full-time job I just was always interested in it. Interestingly, some of my favorite archaeologists have been women and they have taught me a lot. some of the men I have dealt with have been really good and others have their professional standing and their ego to get in the way of teaching me. Overall, it’s been an interesting experience though. I definitely have a lot more respect for people who choose to do it as a living because of the sacrifices, they have to make, including not getting paid very much. You don’t go into archaeology because you want to get wealthy you do it because you’re passionate about it and you love it and are curious about historyand humanity.

[musstakrakish]

Thank you for this vid!! Very helpful. And I really hope things change soon I really want to get into the field someday!

[danv]

I love you videos so much. I have a question, do you think going into archeology is still worth it. Like was there still stuff to discover when you were in the field.
I am going to university in Portugal in a about two years from now for archeology and I want to know if it’s still worth it.

And is there any other jobs you can get with an archeology degree???

Anyway love you videos and thank you for talking about your archeology.

[zachariaswalden]

Just found your channel and love it. I’m in the opposite boat as you. I am finishing my undergrad in anthropology and plan on starting grad school soon. Im 23 and currently work as a union construction worker in the trades and make very good money. I decided to pursue this degree simply out of passion and was entirely surprised by how little jobs in this field pay relative to the experience and level of education they require. Most are in the range of 18-20$/hr, MA in anthro/archaeo, few years of experience, etc… hopefully it will pay off, no pun intended. Anyways any advice would be great and great work on the videos.

[danpatterson]

I changed careers myself, so nothing wrong with that. But I didn't know people got into archaeology with the expectation of making a good living.

[PROofHAPPYWHEELS]

This is why I want to do archaelogy when I'm older, definitely not before having a family because it's very difficult to progress and fit everything in. Bit later in life I would want it to become more of a serious hobby and passion to me.

[olofhakansson]

I totally get why you are leaving. Still sad though. Good luck in the future!