Abstract
What utility does an archaeological education provide students choosing careers off well-trodden archaeological paths? What do these students bring to their careers and society at large? This paper focuses on some of the ways academic training in anthropological archaeology in the US offers students perspectives, skills, and knowledge that fits well with non-traditional careers. Despite a relatively dismal employment outlook for traditional archaeology jobs, archaeological education cultivates valuable critical thinking, project management, and technology skills useful in other career contexts. Archaeological graduates are flexible, informed professionals who understand and embrace cultural diversity. They enrich public awareness about the importance of archaeology and the preservation of cultural resources.
Résumé de recherche
Quelle est l'utilité d'études d'archéologie pour les étudiants qui font le choix d'une carrière hors des sentiers battus de l'archéologie ? Quelle est la contribution de ces étudiants à leur carrière comme à la société dans son ensemble ? Cet article s'intéresse à certaines des manières dont la formation universitaire en archéologie anthropologique aux États-Unis dote les étudiants de points de vue, de compétences et de connaissances qui sont en bonne correspondance avec des carrières non-traditionnelles. En dépit de perspectives d'emploi relativement peu encourageantes pour les carrières de l'archéologie traditionnelle, les études d'archéologie cultivent des compétences précieuses en matière de pensée critique, de gestion de projet et de technologie qui s'avèrent utiles dans d'autres contextes professionnels. Les diplômés d'archéologie sont des professionnels cultivés et adaptables qui comprennent et accueillent favorablement la diversité culturelle. Ils contribuent à enrichir la connaissance du public quant à l'importance de l'archéologie et la préservation des ressources culturelles.
Resumen
¿Qué utilidad ofrece una educación arqueológica a los estudiantes que eligen carreras fuera de los caminos arqueológicos más transitados? ¿Qué aportan estos estudiantes a sus carreras y a la sociedad en general? Este artículo se centra en algunas de las formas en que la formación académica en la arqueología antropológica en los EE. UU. ofrece a los estudiantes perspectivas, habilidades y conocimientos que encajan bien con carreras no tradicionales. A pesar de una perspectiva laboral relativamente deprimente para los trabajos de arqueología tradicional, la educación arqueológica cultiva valiosas habilidades de pensamiento crítico, gestión de proyectos y tecnología que son útiles en otros contextos profesionales. Los graduados en arqueología son profesionales informados y flexibles que comprenden y aceptan la diversidad cultural. Enriquecen la conciencia pública sobre la importancia de la arqueología y la preservación de los recursos culturales.
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Acknowledgements
I’d like to extend my thanks and appreciation to my dear friends Stanton and Claudia Green for their gracious invitation to participate in this project. I also thank the other participants who’ve taught me much about archaeology’s public good.
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Bartram, L. Off the Beaten Path: Employing an Archaeological Education in Non-traditional Careers. Arch 17, 161–177 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11759-021-09421-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11759-021-09421-2