Expert: Ralph Salier - 10/19/2010

Question
Hello, I am currently a high school student and am strongly interested in pursuing a degree in Archaeology, specifically Classic. I was wondering what the career prospect of this field is and what colleges are best suited for this major. I am considering George Washington University and Boston University. Are these universities any good? Please give me any advice that will help guide me in this career path. Thank you!  

Answer
Hi Sarah,

First of all, why archaeology?  And why the classical cultures?  Why not Meso-American, North American, or if you want to go further afield, India or south east Asia?  What do you hope to do with a degree in Archaeology?  Do you have a back up plan?

Both schools are good but not for the classical cultures.  You will want Cambridge, Yale, Harvard, Columbia, U of Penn, U Chicago.  All hard schools to get into but have great classical programs.

So, tell me more, please answer the questions below and allow me to steer you a little:

1) Why Archaeology?
2) what is the basis for this interest, what got you motivated?
3) what do you know about archaeology? have you been on a dig?
4) what are your expectations and what are they based on?
5) Besides the Romans and Greeks, are you interested in any other cultures, why?
6) Are you prepared to study and learn how to read ancient Latin and Greek?
7) What is your cultural heritage?
8) What do you plan to do with a degree in Archaeology if you can't find work in  that cultural area? Are you prepared to broaden your horizons and stick with it?
9) What if any are your back up positions?

Why is #9 so important?  In my sophomore year of college I met Ms. Leaky (Louis's wife) a remarkable woman and archaeologist.  Her advice to me at the time (now nearly 40 years ago) was - always have a back up plan, archaeology is a finicky business and you should always have a way to make a living like being a plumber, teacher, electrician... That way you can find real work when there is none in the field.  

I took her advice and I'm glad I did.  It kept food on the table some times.  You also have to consider the debt you may carry out of college.  This has to be paid back and as a shovel bum (what you are when you have a BA in Archaeology) you will make between 10 and 20/hr during the field season.  You'll need to get a Masters degree and then you can be a PI or crew lead or supervisor.  Then you'll make between 35K and 50K if you hit the right opportunity (here in the States) In Europe, you are lucky  to find steady work and still have to support yourself.  A tough thing to do as a non-citizen of the EU.  

Please understand, I am not trying to discourage your dream. But you need  to understand the reality and difficulty. [and the fun, dirt and excitement - it is what keeps me going for the better part of the last 40 years],   So, do please answer the questions and allow me to provide direction for you.

Ralph