<p>Hello. I am an undergraduate student, 1st year, attending Wilfrid Laurier University on the Brantford campus. I'll keep this concise, and get straight to the point. I am very interested in history, and think that I would absolutely love to get involved in archaeology post-graduation. The problem is that there are far and few jobs in the field, and I'm not sure if I'd be wasting my money getting a degree in the field (I wouldn't consider it a waste of time, however, seeing as I would enjoy my time spent learning about something I actually find interesting). As of now I am enrolled in a double major program, specifically criminology and history. I have the option of switching to archaeology and history, which I'm sure would significantly pad my applications after graduation, but my parents argue that it isn't entirely practical. I feel inclined to agree with them. Criminology is interesting, but I have no desire to get involved in the justice system. It seems like a practical, broad degree though. I might consider law school one day, or working for CSIS, but these are by no means 'career ambitions'. My question, I guess, is this: should I keep going with history and criminology, or switch to history and archaeology? Would I still be able to pursue a career in archaeology without a degree in it, or is it required (I've heard mixed replies)? What do you think is the practical, economical thing to do? </p>
<p>I think you should stick with what you love. Job prospects might seem grim now, but keep these things in mind:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Even if you don’t get an Archaeology job right out of school, you could always work in academia (History or Criminology) until something in Archaeology opened up.</p></li>
<li><p>Your History degree sets you up possibly for a teaching position in a sub-university-level school.</p></li>
<li><p>Criminology would help you if you wanted to go into law school.</p></li>
<li><p>Or you could work with (or start) a group that works to serve underpriveleged prisoners. </p></li>
</ul>
<p>So as a History/Criminology major, if the Arch thing doesn’t work out immediately, you’ll still have some decent vocational options directly related to your majors. </p>
<p>Thanks for the quick reply. So is an archaeology major not required if I wanted to get into the field? I look at job postings and a lot say they require a degree (or a degree in process), so that’s why I wasn’t sure if I’d be closing a door by not majoring in it. Everyone says criminology is more practical, and that it’d be risky to give it up for archaeology, so that’s why I needed to know. </p>
<p>Also, on a side note, how useful IS a criminology degree outside the realm of law enforcement? </p>
<p>Criminology attempts to help you understand the motives of crime and the causes of those motives. So anything that deals with the judicial system/process is going to value Criminology knowledge. </p>
<p>I think if you wanted a Crim-related job, some good candidates would include:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Law school (to become a lawyer or to work in corporate law)</p></li>
<li><p>Start or join a non-profit organization that helps convicts – finding lawyers, researching appeals, contacting relatives, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>Add a MS or PhD in Psychology and become a criminal profiler.</p></li>
<li><p>Get your PhD in Criminology and become a professor.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Those are just four ideas.</p>
<p>I don’t know if you need a degree in Arch to be able to find work in Arch. I would think that any History major would do, plus a willingness to get dirty and apply a lot of patient elbow grease. Hehe. But I am not sure.</p>
<p>Regardless, History and Criminology majors would open some doors.</p>
<p>And if you majored in Arch, you could do museum work or teach if you could not secure Arch work.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks for the advice. I’m certain I’ll go with history, I’m just deciding between arch and crim for my second major. The info you provided will help a lot.</p>
<p>No problem. Good luck!</p>