Archaeology

Over the course of your degree you develop a wide mix of subject-specific and technical skills, you should consider these skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile.

Prospects

A 2010 HESA survey of 2009 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, just over 42% of archaeology graduates were in employment either in the UK or overseas. Of these, almost 30% work in catering and retail and just over 10% work in clerical and secretarial positions. Almost 9% work in other professional or technical occupations while 8% work as commercial, industrial and public sector managers.

Archaeology graduates also work in areas such as marketing, sales and advertising, education, and information technology. Employers value the range of skills they possess meaning archaeology graduates can work in a variety of areas.

Where are the jobs?

Jobs can be found on the British Archaeological Jobs and Resources (BAJR) and the Institute for Archaeologists (IFA) websites.

A significant growth area has been in rescue archaeology in advance of building work, for utilities companies, and environmental agencies. For a more detailed overview, you will find it helpful to look into the following employment areas:

Government and public administration - this sector covers opportunities in local government including archivist and historic buildings inspector.

Creative arts - this sector covers a wide range of activities from museum and art gallery curating to music and drama.

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Archaeologist
• Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer
• Museum/gallery curator
• Museum education officer

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Higher education lecturer
• Adult education lecturer
• Tourism officer
• Archivist
• Cartographer

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it's not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

You can find more about the skills you develop during your course, the jobs listed above, plus case studies and where to find these jobs at Prospects.

Included with the permission of AGCAS. For the latest version of this publication, see www.prospects.ac.uk. For permission to reproduce, contact copyright@agcas.org.uk.