Archaeologists in SA

C

curds

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Good day,

I didn't know where to post this, but since "wealth" factors into it I thought I'd post it here. I've been trying to find archaeology jobs in SA and I have been coming up empty. Are there any archaeologists on here that can tell me if there's a website I can look at for vacancies? My husband has always wanted to enter the field. He studied anthropology and wants to do a master's in archaeology, but I'm worried he won't find work after he has completed the master's. We are not in our 20s anymore we have to be practical with our career choices. He is not expecting to earn a lot, but he does need to be able to find employment. If the field is hard to get into then he will probably end up doing another course.

Thanks
 
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You'll have better luck overseas
Piece of advice find a field his passionate about (Egyptology, Ancient Mesopotamia ect) and stick to it
A jack of all trades is a master of none in field of archeology
 
GreatWmR said:
You'll have better luck overseas
Piece of advice find a field his passionate about (Egyptology, Ancient Mesopotamia ect) and stick to it
A jack of all trades is a master of none in field of archeology
Click to expand...

He is interested in ancient Mesopotamia. The problem with going overseas is that employers need to jump through a lot of hoops to employ a foreigner and most do not want to do it. We spent our 20s overseas and definitely have no problem going where the work is, but we know how long visas etc can take so need to have the option to work in SA.
 
Don't want to lie I don't think archeology is one of those careers you pursue if you don't have substantial financial backing behind you in general let alone in South Africa...


Especially as you mentioned you not in your 20s anymore...

Seems like if you did a bit of "digging" on Google you should have come across this

Frequently Asked Questions | The South African Archaeological Society

www.archaeology.org.za www.archaeology.org.za

Seems like you would be looking at 120 to 150k odd a year

Screenshot_20210731-230716_Chrome.jpg
 
RedViking said:
It's sounds like one of those jobs you do, just so that you end up at a university to teach others to do it, so they can end up at a university....
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That's exactly what I was thinking.

Even the anthropology degrees sounds like one of "those" degrees.

There is a finance/debt guru called Dave Ramsey that constantly talks against getting degrees that won't be worth much. Essentially driving you into debt and leaving you with a very low paying job or none at all.
 
RedViking said:
It's sounds like one of those jobs you do, just so that you end up at a university to teach others to do it, so they can end up at a university....
Click to expand...

...and become the mother ******* dean one day! Or maybe a Hollywood consultant, a TV host of Expedition Unbroadband or maybe, juuuuust maybe:

JURASSIC PARK!

I mean, it could happen.

Personally I love money too much to go do my dream job.
 
You should persue opportunities at museums. I know the East London museum funds a number of escavation sites and research projects along the Eastern Cape coastline.
 
I did find the quote saying the average salary is 120-150k, but I personally know someone who was offered a position at a museum for double that. We lost touch so unfortunately can't pick her brain about what the field is like now. She was offered her dream job (museum) straight out of uni, but times have changed. We are in SA for a short stint so not sure what the job market is like now. If you look at the unemployment rate the answer is obvious. I was hoping there was a bulletin board or something that I missed, but it seems there isn't.
 
Hamster said:
...and become the mother ******* dean one day! Or maybe a Hollywood consultant, a TV host of Expedition Unbroadband or maybe, juuuuust maybe:

JURASSIC PARK!

I mean, it could happen.

Personally I love money too much to go do my dream job.
Click to expand...
lol, I have no dream job. He has one so figured it wouldn't hurt to look into it. But the "uselessness" of the degree is food for thought I suppose.
 
Snyper564 said:
Don't want to lie I don't think archeology is one of those careers you pursue if you don't have substantial financial backing behind you in general let alone in South Africa...


Especially as you mentioned you not in your 20s anymore...

Seems like if you did a bit of "digging" on Google you should have come across this

Frequently Asked Questions | The South African Archaeological Society

www.archaeology.org.za www.archaeology.org.za

Seems like you would be looking at 120 to 150k odd a year

View attachment 1118074
Click to expand...
The higher end is basically the starting salary for a teacher.
 
Hamster said:
...and become the mother ******* dean one day! Or maybe a Hollywood consultant, a TV host of Expedition Unbroadband or maybe, juuuuust maybe:

JURASSIC PARK!

I mean, it could happen.

Personally I love money too much to go do my dream job.
Click to expand...
Jurassic Park would be a paleontologist.
 
Snyper564 said:
That's exactly what I was thinking.

Even the anthropology degrees sounds like one of "those" degrees.

There is a finance/debt guru called Dave Ramsey that constantly talks against getting degrees that won't be worth much. Essentially driving you into debt and leaving you with a very low paying job or none at all.
Click to expand...
If everyone did the degrees for the money only, there wouldn't be archeological digs, or any other passion projects, sometimes I guess in life you've got to do what makes you happy.
 
Lupus said:
If everyone did the degrees for the money only, there wouldn't be archeological digs, or any other passion projects, sometimes I guess in life you've got to do what makes you happy.
Click to expand...
Oh I totally agree, I'm just talking about how the op started this thread.
 
Many major universities in Europe have departments dedicated to African Archeology maybe there's a potential opportunity there.
 
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