Archaeologist
Learn about this occupation – including typical duties, education required, salary and job outlook information, job boards and more.
Archaeologists study artifacts of the near and distant past to develop a picture of how people lived in earlier cultures and societies. Many in the profession are also involved in the preservation of archaeological sites. Some archaeologists work under the aegis of a major research institution, such as a university or a museum. Many more people in the field are employed by private-sector companies that assist the government and private developers in complying with federal laws aimed at protecting archaeological sites. (The Princeton Review)
Occupational profile
Find detailed information about the occupation, including typical duties and working conditions, in the links below:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) - Canadian occupational descriptions
- O*NET Online - U.S resource for occupational descriptions and information.
- OCCinfo by alis - Alberta-based occupational information
- A Day in the Life of an Archaeologist - The Princeton Review
- Sokanu: Archeologist - occupational information and videos
- Profile: Archaeologist, Indigenous Knowledge Researcher - University of Victoria
- Career Profile: Bioarcheologist - from Let's Talk Science
- Career Profile: Osteoarchaeologist - Let's Talk Science
- Alumni At Home: Yes, we have no dinosaurs - Archaeologist specializing in Paleoethnobotany - profile from UMToday Alumni
Education
U of M Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar & Catalogue outlines program admission and course requirements. Use the left menu to navigate to a specific faculty and program. To determine which degree path suits your unique occupational goals, speak with a Career Consultant. For support with course registration and academic issues, speak with an Academic Advisor.
Faculty and Department Homepages
Visit U of M's faculty and department homepage to learn about program application deadlines and processes, as well as additional in-house resources and opportunities.
Exploring Other Education Options
Labour market information
Labour market information informs users of supply and demand for specific occupations and sectors. It includes such things as salary and job outlook information. These resources support informed career decision making and job search efforts.
Resources
- Trend Analysis: Job Market Report (Winnipeg region) - Gov. of Canada Job Bank
- Occupation Outlook Handbook - Job outlook for the U.S.
- OpportuNext - salary range and job growth prospects - Manitoba
Professional Associations
Professional associations may organize events and provide directories, job postings, career and labour market information. Student membership opportunities may also be available: engage, learn and network!
- The Manitoba Archaeological Society (see Instagram)
- Canadian Archaeological Association
- Society for American Archaeology
- Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
Directories, Industry Associations, and Sector Councils
These resources provide industry news, labour market information and a list of potential employers. Remember, there are usually multiple industries worth exploring.
- Canadian Museums Directory - Canadian Museums Association
- Universities Canada - members
- BC Consulting Firms - BC Association of Professional Archaeologists
Job Boards
Search occupations of interest in the industry-specific job boards below to learn about skill requirements, employers, job duties and available jobs. You may also wish to search more general online job boards.
Other links
These external resources may provide you with additional information about the occupation and opportunities to build experience:
- University of Manitoba Anthropology Students' Association (UMASA)
- Article: Underwater archeologist visits Winnipeg... - The Manitoban
- Article: Trading trenches for transects: An archaeologist’s experience at sea - UMToday News
- Article: All in a day's work: Dene archaeologist following his dream, reconnecting with roots - CBC
- Interview - Classics student involved in archeological fieldwork - UMToday News
- Archaeology - Parks Canada
- Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN) - Government of Canada
- Wanuskewin Historical Park (Sask.) - Canada's longest-running archeological dig
- Canadian Museum of History - Archeology Lab
- Center for American Archaeology
- Current Archaeology magazine (U.K.)
- Archeology magazine - by the Archeological Institute of America
- Sample Careers in Archeology and Heritage Studies - Wilfred Laurier University
- Article: Excavating Canada's past with a newly critical eye - The Globe & Mail
- Article: Graves and Garbage: The Hard Life of an Archeologist - The New Yorker