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What Can You Do With an Archaeology Degree?

Apply your project management and research skills on a daily basis. Pursue careers in cultural resource management, museums, historic preservation, government agencies, or research organizations.

Investigate, Explore, and Develop

Archaeology explores how humans have lived, worked, and interacted across history, uncovering the stories of past cultures. Students have the unique opportunity to learn with their hands and utilize special technology to solve complex problems. While students get to dig through actual sites to make discoveries, they also develop a strong set of skills that employers and graduate schools value. 

At Willamette, our archaeology students have lots of opportunities to learn outside the classroom. On campus, students can use the Archaeology Lab and the Hallie Ford Museum of Art to conduct research. Students can complete internships and fieldwork for academic credit and find supportive mentorship with each professor. Our partnership in Scotland offers a unique experience to collaborate and build experience.

What is Archaeology?

Archaeology is the study of past human societies through physical items and materials left behind. Archaeologists use scientific methods, fieldwork, technology, and research to understand how people lived and cultures changed over time.

A student pointing to a column in Greece

Archeology Provides Transferable Skills.

Studying archaeology gives you more than just technical know-how. From hands-on fieldwork to understanding how people and cultures connect, an archaeology degree helps you build a mix of skills that are portable across many careers. 

A student testing archaeology equipment

What Skills Do You Learn?

  • Teamwork and awareness. Students collaborate alongside others during their fieldwork and projects. They navigate ethical issues, engage with diverse communities, and navigate the legal and regulatory framework.
  • Field and lab skills. Students learn how to apply scientific concepts to problems. They survey, catalog artifacts, and use tools like GIS and remote sensing.
  • Research and analysis. Students work with quantitative and qualitative data, interpreting and applying statistical techniques to draw conclusions.
  • Communication. Students have to give presentations and write reports that cater to different audiences.
  • Detail-oriented work. Students have to inspect, analyze, and demonstrate a strong attention to detail during site work and projects.
  • Project management. Students learn to plan and execute projects and research. They work through tight deadlines, seasonal restrictions, and limitations to accomplish their goal.
Willamette students starting a drone in a green field.

What Jobs Can You Get With an Archaeology Degree?

There are plenty of options when you combine a powerful skillset with practical experience and a liberal arts foundation. when you combine a powerful skillset with practical experience and a liberal arts foundation. However, it's helpful to understand different types of employers and industries that benefit from an education in archaeology. Popular career paths for archaeology majors include field archaeologist, cultural resource manager, and university professor. Career paths also include:

  • Archaeology & Fieldwork

    • Archaeologist
    • Field Archaeologist
    • Forensic Archaeologist
    • Environmental Archaeologist
    • Geoarchaeologist
    • Field Technician
    • Site Supervisor

  • Museums, Archives & Heritage

    • Museum Curator or Gallery Curator
    • Museum Education Officer
    • Museum/Gallery Exhibitions Officer
    • Conservator
    • Archivist
    • Records Manager
    • Heritage Manager
    • Heritage Consultant
    • Historic Buildings Inspector or Conservation Officer
    • Cultural Resource Manager

  • Research & Academia

    • Academic Researcher
    • Professor or Teacher
    • Historian
    • Palaeontologist
    • Social Researcher

  • Science, Technology & Data

    • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist
    • Cartographer
    • Data Analyst
    • Remote Sensing Specialist
    • Remote Pilot Specialist
    • Forensic Analyst

  • Law, Government, and Business

    • Cultural Heritage Lawyer
    • Tourism Professional
    • Forest Ranger

*Keep in mind that some of these roles do require additional education and even graduate degrees.

Is an Archaeology Degree Worth It?

If you're curious, adaptable, and interested in hands-on learning and research, an archaeology degree can be extremely worthwhile. While you'll learn valuable skills that employers and graduate programs look for, many students find it to be personally rewarding and meaningful.

When pairing the degree with field experience, a clear plan for a career, and an internship, students can make the most out of their degree.

Two people at an archaeological dig site looking at the views around

Is Archaeology a Good Degree?

Absolutely. Students who are interested in conducting research projects and solving real-world problems benefit from an archaeology degree. Not only does it teach highly transferable skills, but it also leads to real careers and pairs well with graduate programs.

Students learn to become skilled researchers, communicators, and problem-solvers. While those skills are powerful in archaeology, they also lead to roles outside of the industry.

Two people working on an archaeological dig at Willamette

Consider Graduate Degree Programs

Some long-term archaeology careers require a master's degree or PhD, and many students pursue graduate study in archaeology, anthropology, or cultural resource management. A bachelor's degree plus field experience can still qualify you for many entry-level roles. Willamette archaeology graduates have pursued graduate degrees at:

  • Durham University
  • Johns Hopkins University Advanced Academic Programs
  • San Diego State University
  • Tufts University
  • The University of British Columbia
  • University College London
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University of Glasgow
  • University of York
  • University of Washington
  • Washington University in St. Louis

Real-World Experiences at Willamette

Experiences matters in archaeology. Archaeology can be a competitive field, so Willamette offers hands-on learning opportunities to help students achieve their goals. While many students work on an archaeological site during field school, we also encourage students to pursue internship opportunities. Our students have interned at:

  • Chachalu Tribal Museum
  • City of Salem
  • Hallie Ford Museum of Art
  • High Atlas Foundation
  • Ness of Brodgar Archaeological Field School
  • NOAA
  • Oregon Archaeological Society
  • San Diego Archeological Center
  • University of Tennessee

Recent Willamette archaeology graduates have found roles at:

  • Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, Inc
  • Courtney Deery Heritage Consultancy, Ltd.
  • GUARD Archeology, Ltd
  • ICF
  • Modis
  • Oregon Department of Forestry
  • Osage Nation
  • PanGIS, Inc
  • Statistical Research, Inc.
  • USAID
“Working in the North Atlantic absolutely laid the foundation for the dissertation research that I'm now doing. Without that kind of introduction into that region, it’s hard to imagine my trajectory would be the same.”
Alex Casteel BA'17

Why Choose Willamette for Archaeology?

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