21 year old female Waitress from West Moors

Question 1. In the current economic climate, what made you decide to undertake an archaeology degree?

I wanted to choose something I would enjoy and stick to as I knew I would find Uni a lot less interesting if I didn't. Although I entertained the idea of becoming a paleaopathologist, I don't have the financial backing to do the necessary qualifications and so I have pretty much given up on a career using my degree.

Question 2. Currently, what do you perceive to be the most significant archaeological find that you have made and why is this?

I have not made many finds due to the lack of archaeological digs I have been on. However, I did enjoy my time despite not finding anything particularly significant.

Question 3. What/ where do you see yourself to be in ten years time?

I honestly have no idea. I have been an official graduate for one month and I think it will take me far longer to decide what it is I would like to do with my life. Though I reckon I will probably have kids by then!

Question 4. An archaeology student’s degree is multi-disciplinary, sociable and academically challenging. During your time as an archaeology student what has been the most memorable moment within or out of the lecture theatre?

Silchester! What goes on there stays there, and that is probably a very good thing! It was a lot of fun and I made some good friends, quite apart from thoroughly enjoying the archaeological aspect.

Question 5. What are you currently doing? (Excavating, working, holidaying etc.)

Working in a hotel, a job I had during my studies and that I have just made full time. I do enjoy it and there are career advancement oppurtunities, so you never know, I may still be there in ten years time!

Question 6. What are your thoughts and feelings about commercial archaeology?

It is obviously necessary to keep our history, but I feel it is unfortunate and a little unfair that this is pretty much the only sector where there is any decent amount of funding and so few jobs.

Question 7. Has your perception of archaeology on TV changed since you undertook your degree? (E.g. Time team, meet the ancestors, Bonekickers).

God yes! As a kid, I never realised what assumptions Time Team jumped to and how much they must have missed due to their speed. Bonekickers was laughable, and always has been. I still enjoy Meet the Ancestors though, despite what I now know about the archaeological world.

Name

Rebecca Ripley