We are looking for two new ordinary committee members!
We have two vacancies to join our committee, and are keen to hear from anyone who a member of CIfA and is interested. One of the roles will be with a focus on our group communications, including social media and the other will be a general committee position. You do not need experience of being on a committee before as we can give you full training, the most important thing is enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in. We are a busy group and the committee all take an active role in shaping the work and future of our group. You can find out more information about the roles in the
* ordinary committee member role description or by taking a look at the graphics showing the
* benefits of volunteering with us,
* information about the roles, and the
* summary of who we are looking for.
If you are interested or have any questions about the roles, please contact mailto:earlycareerssig [at] gmail.com or groups [at] archaeologists.net for an informal chat and to express your interest. The deadline to apply is Friday 13 September.
Your Profession, Your Future, Your Voice
This is the Group for anyone in the early stages of their career in archaeology, or for those who want to share their skills and experience with early career professionals. Are you excited (or worried!) about the journey ahead? Do you want a voice in shaping the profession? Then this is the Group for you!
Background
The Early Careers Special Interest Group was founded as the New Generation Special Interest Group in 2012 following a series of discussions and debates by a group of Practitioner (PCIfA) grade members at the 2012 CIfA conference in Oxford. It became clear that there were many people within the Institute, in the early stages of their careers in archaeology, who wanted to be more involved with the Institute and play a greater role within the sector as a whole.
For several years, the name of the group was felt to be confusing and not representative of the scope of the group’s ambitions. After consultation, the name was changed to ‘Early Careers’ in 2020.
The Early Careers Special Interest Group (SIG) is for archaeologists in the early stages of their own career pathways to come together to support one another, share their experiences and amplify their own voices. Together, with the group’s committee, the group will work to ensure that our members are represented at Advisory Council and that the needs and concerns of early career members are heard. We also hope to provide a platform to share information and opportunities that will support early career professionals, students and those contemplating a career in archaeology and associated fields.
Who does the group represent and who can join?
The Early Careers Group aims to support those interested in a career in archaeology and those archaeologists in the early stages of their career working in all aspects of the sector. Everyone is welcome to join the group but it is specifically relevant to those interested in a career in archaeology and those archaeologists in the early stages of their career working.
Aims
The aims of the group are:
- Explore, research and offer practical support and advice on pathways into the profession and career development; including encouraging mentoring.
- Highlight and showcase the contribution of early career archaeologists to the sector both in the present and in the future, online and at sector gatherings such as conferences, especially in providing show cases for group members.
- Increase the role and representation of early career archaeologists within CIfA.
- Engage and collaborate with other CIfA groups and with relevant outside agencies, such as Historic England and Council for British Archaeology.
How to join the Group
Membership of the Early Careers Group is free to CIfA members and student members are automatically enrolled. Membership is free to CIfA members through the Members area login. Those who are not members of the institute will need to pay an annual £10 fee and can join here
Twitter: follow Early Careers Group on Twitter! @CIfA_EC is the current handle.
Facebook: join the Facebook group
Email: groups [at] archaeologists.net
Instagram: search for the group by the handle @cifa_ec.
Committee
Jessica Elleray (Chair)
Tabitha Lawrence (Secretary)
Sarah Botfield (Treasurer)
Gulfareen Chohdry
Emily Moon
Katie Sanderson
Sakshi Surana
Phil Pollard (Advisor)
Claire Corkill (Advisor)
Joanne Kirton (Advisor)
Michael D'Aprix (Advisor)
Megan Schlanker (Advisor)
Group constitution
You can view our constitution here (PDF)..
Three-year plan
Forthcoming events
For information about upcoming events, please visit our event calendar. Members of the Institute can also find CPD recordings here in the meantime.
Previous events
Useful Resources
- 10 things Diggers wished New Starters Knew... A factsheet in collaboration with Diggers Forum
- CIfA Early Careers Toolkit
- Careers Advice via Archaeology Scotland
- Past Horizons - a website for archaeological equipment including trowels
- A careers guidance page via the Council for British Archaeology
- The YouTube channel of the Council for British Archaeology Here you will find video playlists of our collaborative CBA & EC SIG Conference (2021-2024)
- The Youth Forum of the Heritage Trust Network
- BAJR British Archaeological Jobs Resource
- Commercial Panda Memes Facebook page A comedy page featuring memes related to work within commercial archaeology, and followed by many EC people.
- HistoricScot Youth Forum web page via Historic Environment Scotland
- Museums + Heritage article by Mark Carnall (2016)
AGM minutes
AGM minutes March 2024
AGM minutes March 2023
AGM minutes February 2022
Committee minutes
Committee minutes 17 July 2024
Committee minutes 3 March 2022
Committee minutes 31 January 2022
