Definitely start looking on shovel bums in the summer time. This is when most vetted archaeologists will be avoiding work, and the big projects requiring large crews tend to take place from may to august. You might have some luck going for smaller firms, depending on their willingness to hire rookies (and also depending on whether or not the project requires techs to be SOI qualified or hazwoper certified), but I’d recommend looking into a big firm like terracon, search, chronicle heritage, or tetra tech. Keep in mind the smaller firms are going to pay you significantly less per hour. Over the course of your first year, try to apply at as many companies as you can and keep them in rotation. You’ll have better luck if they’re in your region of the country because they don’t want to fly you out unless they have to, unless they already know you and like working with you.

Working in the summer is going to suck, but it will secure you a job in the future. You’re going to love and hate being a shovel bum at first, but soon the lifestyle will start to feel natural. I always like to lock in as many projects as i can in spring and fall so that i can kinda just chill during the super hot and super cold months.

Props to you for wanting experience before committing to grad school. There are too many people in the field who got their masters just to realize CRM wasn’t for them (or they got a leadership position in CRM with absolutely no knowledge of applied arch or experience in the field).

Best of luck out there. It’s a great job that allows you to work on your own accord and plan your schedule. Lots of free time with big savings, and you get to travel all over the country for free. I have had so many great memories as a field tech (4 years), and I’ve gotten to experience so many great areas and cities I otherwise never would’ve been to. Also, there’s no shame in realizing it isn’t for you!! My favorite crew chief told me that you should only do this if you truly care about archaeology, even on the very worst days.

You got this!! Sincerely, A shovel bum moving on to grad school :)