Advice about education path for archaeology

Question

Late starter. 43 years old and finally decided to work on a life long passion of archaeology. I work 40 hours at my current job so I am going to start with distance learning degree program. For obvious reasons Archaeology is not something I can study through online courses. I decided to major in history and for electives, take some foreign language (german) credits. So my big question is, If I finish a BA in History with a few credits in language, Am I setting myself up fairly well with transferable credits (from a history major) for attending a traditional college part time in a few years and jumping into archaeology degree?

History seemed to have the most crossover credits that I could find from some of the better distance learning schools. Other choices would have been just a straight liberal arts degree. Either way I would gain some anthropology credits but the history path actually offered more anthropology.

Anyone think I am heading the wrong direction?

Answer 1

Nope, you are doing fine as far as the academic stuff goes. My question, however, would have to be 'what path' have you identified for yourself in archaeo?  

I am also 43, but have been doing archaeo professionally for a little over 21 years.  

A few members of my grad school cohort were in their 50s and 60s.  One was finishing a PhD and headed for a semi-retirement position teaching at a community college after a career in business (he already had the position more or less locked in when he finished).  Another was developing a reputation for doing a very highly specialized form of stone tool analysis which, he hoped, would allow him to work in a variety of different places.  Last I heard from him this was working out, but work was either very busy or nonexistent.  

If you intend to attempt the fully academic route, you're in for a very rough ride.  If you are open to doing archaeology through CRM, you should seriously consider looking for a graduate program which will permit you get some hands-on experience doing it.  

A degree does not guarantee you a job - or even opportunities to work on interesting projects as a volunteer.  Experience is generally considered more important than education among employed professionals inarchaeology. You have some catching up to do in the area of experience.  I suggest you participate heavily in your state archaeology society and look for as many experience opportunities as you can.  

Feel free to add me to you contacts and stay in touch if you think I might be able to help you further.