Topic ID #7583 - posted 5/7/2010 5:40 PM
Pathfinder
Accredited field schools
Pathfinder
Hi all,
I just joined the site because I'm in the process of career-switching (from healthcare to archaeology) and could use some practical advice. I've had a few field experiences in the recent past which were great and helped me realize I could do this kind of work, and really wanted to! But, I've found recently that many job postings for field technicians specify that the candidate have attended an "accredited" field school. Does accreditation refer to any field school associated with an academic program? or is there some master list of field schools that would meet that criteria? I'm a bit concerned because I don't think either of my fieldwork experiences (one I made a "donation" to so I could become a "volunteer"; the other was part of an internship through a museum) are actually "accredited". So... any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.
Tim
I just joined the site because I'm in the process of career-switching (from healthcare to archaeology) and could use some practical advice. I've had a few field experiences in the recent past which were great and helped me realize I could do this kind of work, and really wanted to! But, I've found recently that many job postings for field technicians specify that the candidate have attended an "accredited" field school. Does accreditation refer to any field school associated with an academic program? or is there some master list of field schools that would meet that criteria? I'm a bit concerned because I don't think either of my fieldwork experiences (one I made a "donation" to so I could become a "volunteer"; the other was part of an internship through a museum) are actually "accredited". So... any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.
Tim
Post ID#17676 - replied 5/8/2010 1:02 PM
Archaeovagrant
First of all, are you nuts?? Trying to get into archaeology now is like, well, I can't think of anything. Jobs are very scarce in this poor economy, since the big projects providing many of the jobs are gone.
Now, having said that, I totally understand why someone would want to do this--I love it.
As for field schools, check on shovelbums.org for the comprehensive list of field schools for this year. Any one attached to a university should work, although it might be a little late in the season to find an opening.
Now, having said that, I totally understand why someone would want to do this--I love it.
As for field schools, check on shovelbums.org for the comprehensive list of field schools for this year. Any one attached to a university should work, although it might be a little late in the season to find an opening.
Post ID#17685 - replied 5/10/2010 10:45 AM
trowley
Hi ,
I'm new to the job market, and new to posting on here- although I have hung around for months reading all the great info. :)
I was wondering the same thing, so I'm glad you asked.
From what I've gathered, to be accredited means you're either associated with an academic program, or you're "accredited" through ROPA, which is the Registry of Professional Archaeologists. ROPA has a list of field schools on their website that are accredited, but I only saw a few. Maybe there is one where you live, though?
Here's the link:
http://www.rpanet.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=10
I also read on the AAA website that they publish a list every year of accredited field schools and also post that list on their website, but I could not find the list on their website.
Here's their website:
http://www.aaanet.org/index.cfm
HTH,
Trowley
I'm new to the job market, and new to posting on here- although I have hung around for months reading all the great info. :)
I was wondering the same thing, so I'm glad you asked.
From what I've gathered, to be accredited means you're either associated with an academic program, or you're "accredited" through ROPA, which is the Registry of Professional Archaeologists. ROPA has a list of field schools on their website that are accredited, but I only saw a few. Maybe there is one where you live, though?
Here's the link:
http://www.rpanet.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=10
I also read on the AAA website that they publish a list every year of accredited field schools and also post that list on their website, but I could not find the list on their website.
Here's their website:
http://www.aaanet.org/index.cfm
HTH,
Trowley
Post ID#17701 - replied 5/20/2010 2:36 PM
LiamCollinsWSU
From the RPA site: (butr this is just their classification schema)
RPA Certified Fieldschool classification system: Each fieldschool is labeled with a number that designates the total number of weeks of field and laboratory experience each participant will gain if she/he completes the full field and laboratory experience. Each full five days of field or laboratory experience will count as one week. For example, For example, a certified field school with twenty days (4 weeks) of total training time will be certified as "RPA-4P." Short field schools (fewer than twenty days) may be certified as "RPA-Introductory." Introductory field schools provide students with exposure to archaeological field work, but do not constitute a full training experience.
Basically, you need to take a very critical look at the fieldschool and what you want to get out of it. You don't want to waste your time on a site doing something you don't plan on ever using. I suggest talking to the Director and maybe asking if you can speak to some students who have been in it. This forum is actually a GREAT place to find someone who can give you a participent's view of any school, or suggest some you might find beneficial based on your interests and future plans. Also, try smaller colleges near your home as well, they sometimes don't advertise on the websites but will tell you all about it on their website under the Anthro Department, or at least give you a contact name to call.
RPA Certified Fieldschool classification system: Each fieldschool is labeled with a number that designates the total number of weeks of field and laboratory experience each participant will gain if she/he completes the full field and laboratory experience. Each full five days of field or laboratory experience will count as one week. For example, For example, a certified field school with twenty days (4 weeks) of total training time will be certified as "RPA-4P." Short field schools (fewer than twenty days) may be certified as "RPA-Introductory." Introductory field schools provide students with exposure to archaeological field work, but do not constitute a full training experience.
Basically, you need to take a very critical look at the fieldschool and what you want to get out of it. You don't want to waste your time on a site doing something you don't plan on ever using. I suggest talking to the Director and maybe asking if you can speak to some students who have been in it. This forum is actually a GREAT place to find someone who can give you a participent's view of any school, or suggest some you might find beneficial based on your interests and future plans. Also, try smaller colleges near your home as well, they sometimes don't advertise on the websites but will tell you all about it on their website under the Anthro Department, or at least give you a contact name to call.
Post ID#17702 - replied 5/21/2010 8:29 AM
Pathfinder
hey all,
Thanks for the input! even the "are you nuts" comment ;) I did just recently stumble accross the RPA listing, but that seems to be quite a short list, and I have no idea if "certification" would count as "accreditation". I also searched the AAA Professional Development board under "Field School"... and actually, the Maya Research Program turns up there, though I'm pretty sure it's not accredited in the traditional sense so... who knows. I think I'm going to go with the suggestion to make sure it's attached to a university and hope for the best. Thanks!
Thanks for the input! even the "are you nuts" comment ;) I did just recently stumble accross the RPA listing, but that seems to be quite a short list, and I have no idea if "certification" would count as "accreditation". I also searched the AAA Professional Development board under "Field School"... and actually, the Maya Research Program turns up there, though I'm pretty sure it's not accredited in the traditional sense so... who knows. I think I'm going to go with the suggestion to make sure it's attached to a university and hope for the best. Thanks!
Post ID#17703 - replied 5/21/2010 8:34 AM
KB
I've hired many people and have never heard of anyone looking up a field to see if its RPA certified. I would imagine that any typical, 6 week long field school run by an accredited university would be fine. I would suggest finding one that is a reasonable cost, in the region which you would like to work.
If you're interested in switching careers, I'll give some general advice... Accept that in order to have a reasonable career in archaeology, which is stable, of a reasonable salary, with benefits, you will need to go to graduate school. I would recommend doing so sooner rather than later and if you already have a degree in the healthcare field, perhaps trying to apply that experience towards your concentration.
If you're interested in switching careers, I'll give some general advice... Accept that in order to have a reasonable career in archaeology, which is stable, of a reasonable salary, with benefits, you will need to go to graduate school. I would recommend doing so sooner rather than later and if you already have a degree in the healthcare field, perhaps trying to apply that experience towards your concentration.
Post ID#17707 - replied 5/22/2010 10:09 PM
betswald
I'm not sure that this site is the right place to begin my search or not. Through some geneology digging we found an ancestor burial place on an old estate "cannan", north of Little London in Jamaica. It is a pretty significant site containing early settlers and we'd be interested in finding out who/where in Jamaica we might get some attention to seeing if the government can participate in nationalizing it for historic preservation. We don't know where to get started there but think it is important before the site disappears entirely. The site has a mosoleum and a number of large horizontal markers outside it and a significant seal (crest). We can share pictures of the site and the information that we have retrieved as soon as we get the right parties.
Post ID#17849 - replied 7/9/2010 5:46 AM
Murray
Hi....I've worked in UK archaeology for 14 years and I run a non-accredited field school.....archaeology is great fun but its an expsnesive hobby...so either you have to ver very lucky, independantly wealthy or have a partner who works....which impacts on whether you want kids
I run a fieldshool because I got bored not being able to dig what I wanted and having to worry about making money for my boss......not being accredited has caused me problems but only small ones, they key thing is to ohave fun but make sure you can pay the bills!
I run a fieldshool because I got bored not being able to dig what I wanted and having to worry about making money for my boss......not being accredited has caused me problems but only small ones, they key thing is to ohave fun but make sure you can pay the bills!
Post ID#17902 - replied 7/20/2010 4:16 PM
whatamIdoing
"RPA Certified Fieldschool classification system: Each fieldschool is labeled with a number that designates the total number of weeks of field and laboratory experience each participant will gain if she/he completes the full field and laboratory experience. Each full five days of field or laboratory experience will count as one week. For example, For example, a certified field school with twenty days (4 weeks) of total training time will be certified as "RPA-4P." Short field schools (fewer than twenty days) may be certified as "RPA-Introductory." Introductory field schools provide students with exposure to archaeological field work, but do not constitute a full training experience."
The RPA is a LOL riot.
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