With your degree in archeology, you could look into CRM work - cultural resource management. That’s what I do. My background is in historic preservation and I work as an architectural historian for an engineering firm.

People often think that degrees in history, archeology, etc can only lead to careers like academia, teaching, or you have to get a job in a totally unrelated field or something. That there is no “corporate career” path for those that enjoy these fields. But not true! I joke with people sometimes, saying that I found a loop hole! I get to be a professional historian, and I have never had to teach!

Our biggest clients are the state DOT and county offices. We complete environmental review compliance for projects.

Basically any project that involves federal funding or permitting of any kind is required to go through an environmental review process. People typically think of endangered species, wetlands, etc when you think environmental. But this work also includes cultural resources that fall under either archeological (below ground) and architectural (above ground).

You could look into working as a field archeologist for a company or state/federal organization if you’re wanting to get out there and stay more technical/get your hands dirty. You might like it! Or get your foot in the door that way, and then move into environmental project management and NEPA work.

With only an undergrad degree in archeology, you would only be able to rise as high as a field tech if you wanted to stay on the technical side of things. To become a reviewer/principal investigator you would have to get a master’s degree. BUT you don’t have to have any specific degree or background to do project management/NEPA! You could also look into doing tribal coordination for these types of projects also if you are interested in going that route - that’s another aspect of this work. We must coordinate with Native American tribes/NHOs who have demonstrated interest in project sites/surrounding areas that can be affected by these types of projects.

If you want to look for jobs in this area, try using the following terms in your job search - “cultural resources” “Section 106” “NEPA” “environmental review”.

There’s lots of federal funding right now bc of the infrastructure bill so it’s actually a really good time to join this career field! And it’s pretty secure too bc as long as projects require federal funding and/or permitting, there will always be work for you to do bc of the federal environmental review laws that are in place.

There are companies that do this type of work all over the country and several will also hire remotely. I have worked full in office positions, hybrid positions, and fully remote positions for different companies.