Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

Research and present the heritage potential of proposed development sites.
Run small and medium scale archaeological fieldwork projects.
Monitor groundworks on building developments.
Write reports on archaeological findings.
Liaise with clients, curators and the general public.

The job is extremely varied though it generally involves an early start! One day I might be searching through documents and maps in a local record office. The next monitoring the excavation of foundations on a busy building site and the next leading a team to undertake an archaeological fieldwork project. All my findings have to be meticulously recorded and then presented in the form of an archaeological report. This involves the use of technical drawing, survey, CAD, GIS and database software as well as filling in pro-forma and word processing. Time and people management skills are essential.

As above. Also presenting those findings through an archaeological report or journal article which releases that information into the public domain. I also enjoy opportunities for the public to engage with archaeology either through informal discussions through the site fence or more formalised community projects.

Turning up to a building site (normally the only woman on the building site) and communicating what you would like to see and how best to do that within their system of work and without causing disruption. Trying to obtain good archaeological data when time and resources are often limited and the weather takes a turn for the worse.

The thrill of discovery and constructing a picture of the past from many pieces of data. Varied and challenging work.

Research using original documents and secondary sources. Technical drawing both on site and using CAD and GIS software. Data collection through observation and measurement. Survey (TST/ GPS). Manual labour/ digging. Communication skills. Management of logistics, time, resources and people.

H&S training (CSCS). Location of underground services. First Aid. Survey equipment and software. Cad and GIS software. 4x4 driving.

15/06/04 - 01/10/05 Project Assistant
Started work straight from university on what was then the largest building site in Europe - Terminal 5. Employed through Wessex Archaeology in what was a joint venture project (Framework Archaeology). At this time I was on short term contracts (generally 1 month) but had no break in employment.

02/10/05 - 31/12/07 Assistant Supervisor
First permanent position, still with Wessex Archaeology. Chance to gain more experience and take more responsibility.

01/01/08 - 31/10/12 Supervisor
Promoted to supervisor. Work more independently and run small scale projects.

01/11/12 -present Project Officer/ Archaeologist
Run small and medium scale archaeological fieldwork projects. I have also diversified my role slightly by also undertaking desk-based assessment work.

www.bajr.org is now the easiest place to find archaeological jobs advertised but it is also worth while building up contacts with units who may ring round known individuals if they need staff before formally advertising. The initial 1-2 years are likely to be on short term contracts and you may not be continuously employed - certainly not by the same unit. It may well be worthwhile exploring volunteering opportunities in order to enhance your CV experience. Pay and conditions are famously dire for a graduate career, although steps were being made to improve this the financial crisis hindered and in some cases reversed this progress.

The IfA is the organisation that attempts to set standards within archaeology though as membership is voluntary both for organisations and individuals this limits its effectiveness.