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[Anonymous]

I'm a computer programmer -- now out of work. I've been looking for jobs as a programmer, but have always wanted to go into archeology/anthropology. I'm a middle-aged woman and I would like to do something more socially relevant. I have no formal education as an archeologist, anthropologist, or educator but tons of education in information systems/project management/computers, etc.,  including an M.S. in computer science. I did get an art-history degree many years ago, too. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions as to how I can get into this field?

[Anon archaeologist]

I'm an archaeology professor with a Ph.D. in anthropology, which is the typical degree for my field. I'm successful and employed at a research I university after several years of climbing up the ranks of academe. I didn't get my Ph.D. until I was 38, and I am now 44. However, it is a very tough field, with sometimes 400 people applying for the same job. To guarantee success, you need to get into a top program, with well-known advisers, and make them like you enough to help you, and produce like a maniac (publications, papers, grants, etc.) Otherwise you will languish like the disillusioned ones in this forum.

Jobs are highly specific, too. If they advertise for someone who works in Mexico, and you work in Japan, well, you can't apply. If they want an expert in gender, and you are an expert in labor, forget it!

In terms of teaching, you can teach at a community college with an M.A., but since there are so many out-of-work Ph.D.'s, your competition will be doctoral-degree holders, and they usually get the jobs. I know this from personal experience.

However, with your information-technology background, you might want to look into programs in applied anthropology, where the aim is to work in the private or nonprofit or non-governmental organization sector. An M.A. or Ph.D. can lead to jobs here.

If you are into archaeology, you should consider what is called "contract" or "public" archaeology, a type of applied work where you would work in private or government (park service, etc.) jobs. These often only require an M.A. and are not so hard to get. They can be rewarding and come with 401K's and medical coverage, too!  

You might also try looking at the American Anthropological Association's Guide to Departments of Anthropology (available in most reference sections at college libraries), and look for a professor who is interested in developing computer applications in anthropology/archaeology, or who does G.I.S. (geographic information systems -- very big in archaeology), who might be happy to grad a student with an I.T. background.

Well, all I can say is that I did it. If you are ready to work really hard, I suggest you attend an urban campus of a good city or state university, where there will be other older students, and avoid campuses with "college age" only populations, as you will be highly discriminated against by both students and faculty members.

At 44, I am usually mistaken for 34, at 38, 28 -- but some of the people who were with me in my "college age" Ph.D. program who were in their forties or fifties were hassled and pre-judged and treated like total crap. My undergraduate degree was from the City University of New York, where there were tons of older grad students, and no one batted an eye. Many of them successfully finished after I moved on.

Well, there you have it. It sure is a fun field, so good luck.