I am 'between contracts' at the moment or 'resting' as I like to put it, being the media luvvy I am these days
For those of you who don't know me, I am a 39 year old 'career change' archaeologist. I did a part-time degree in history and graduated last year. I've officially been a pro archy since May 05, which is when I started looking for paid digging work. After getting some advice from Toby re. CVs and asking various people for references, I sent a whole load of letters out to a variety of units, both in my region and beyond.
After a relaxing summer, doing some non-developer paid jobs and voluntary work for YAT and becoming a TV star, I finally had to get serious about Finding Work as the sabatical I'd allowed myself was well and truly over! I phoned round units in Yorkshire, introduced myself, etc and sent updated CVs. Although nothing was offered at that time, a couple of weeks later one of the units I'd phoned called with an offer of work for 4 weeks, starting the next week. My first proper break !
The 4 weeks originally offered was extended to 8, then I was on the permanent staff, which is quite unusual for digging staff at my experience level.
Digging wise I was quite happy, I could do the work no problem, the training and work experience I'd had at St Leonard's, etc. was more than adequate to do the basic job required of me. Actually I think a couple of people were quite impressed by how much I could do with minimal supervision. I was officially taken on as a trainee but due to staffing issues on my first dig I was presented with a 2m x 30m trench to deal with, more or less on my own ! Using context numbers for plan numbers, square boxes for contexts (my "weird YAT ways" as one colleague jokingly described them) had to be put to the back of my mind as I got to grips with the unit's way of doing its paperwork. Fortunately everyone was very helpful (and patient!!). Being mid-winter, the weather was a bit rough at times but you kinda get to know what clothing combo works best and how to keep reasonably warm and dry. Only problem was using the Portaloo whilst wearing several layers, including a boiler suit....
Some interesting archaeology, some really dull archaeology but overall I enjoyed the digging and I got to work with some nice people and found time for a few laughs too.
Whilst 'in the office' I did quite a lot of finds processing and environmental sample washing, also inputting listings etc. for the reports the post-ex staff were working on. So some good CV stuff.
In the 4 months I worked at the unit I only got out digging for 8 weeks in total. When in the office between digs, once the post-ex stuff was done, there was a lot of time when there wasn't enough to do and it got very boring. I suppose a disadvantage of keeping staff on after digs, rather than laying them off. I was getting paid to do very little, which would have been OK if I'd wanted to stay but I was not happy with a number of things.
I had a problem with the way inter-personnel stuff was handled. If I'd been a short-contract digger it probably wouldn't have posed a problem but when you are around the office a lot and have to deal with it, it isn't so good. Then there was the archaeology. Digging-wise, I felt at times that the digging team wasn't being allowed by management to make the best decisions for the archaeology, as commerical pressures were given priority. As I've no other real experiences to compare with I wasn't sure if this is typical of all units, and so whether I was making a fair judgement, I'm not sure. Another problem for me personally was that the unit has a policy of not getting involved in public archaeology, which is something I would like to do more of. Then of course there was the commute. I was travelling an 80 mile round trip most of the time, with no expenses paid, and was spending about a week's wages on fuel every month. The commute wasn't pleasant either, especially in the dark and bad weather. A combination of things led to me the difficult decision to resign, including wanting to have a re-think of where I wanted to go career-wise.
On that final point, I haven't a clue - digging is good, but there are other things I want to do as well.
Since I quit I've applied to several units for work (either in answer to adverts or speculatively) but so far no digging work offers have come my way. If I was prepared to travel and work away from home getting work would be much easier, but the age I am and being married I really don't see myself as an itinerant digger and I have social committments at home I don't want to miss out on.
I finally got around to signing up with a recruitment agency this week to get some temp work to tide me over...... been to get a haircut today as they've put me down for some reception work in a private clinic. Working the winter season and wearing a wooly hat, day in, day out, lately my hair has been more 'Crazy Meg' than 'Toni&Guy' ..... ;D
(not really a "quick" reply, sorry!!)
