Walter D. Kingsborough
     Archaeologist
     Sam Houston National Forest
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     I have not been following the thread on the graduate programs in the
     South, but in response to one point in the posting from Mike Polk:
     I agree that it is not required that one have a PhD to be a professional.
     By the same token, it is not required that one have a MA to be a
     professional. Experience, proven productivity and the simple fact that one
     in being paid to provide a specialized skill makes one a professional. A
     professional baseball player is not required to hold a PhD or MA in
     baseball to be paid a professional wage as long as professional quality
     play is provided. However, the years of training and practice might be
     equated to the years of study and research that go to making a MA or PhD.
     Now, many are going to take exception to this analogy. I like it because
     it reminds me that there is a real world outside of archaeology.
     Basically, if you are paid to provide a skill, then you are a professional
     in that skill. If yo are being paid for your skills as an archaeologist,
     then you are a professional archaeologist. On the other hand, if someone
     (or an organization) wishes to define a minimal level of education and
     experience below which a person should not be paid for the specialized
     skill of archaeolgy, they are free to do so. My organization uses
     definitions provided by the Office of Personnel Management in Washington.
     The standards of education and experience vary depending on the series and
     grade of the position. In all cases experience could be considered in liue
     of education (although some specialized undergraduate or graduate
     education is usually reqiured). So, while a BA is generally reqiured to
     qualify for GS-5 Archeologist, an undergaduate with a couple of years
     experience could also qualify. Likewise, someone with a related degree
     (e.g., Biology) and 10 years experience in archeology could also qualify.
     Bottom line: a degree is not everything, and experience does count for
     something (as long as you've paid your dues, and do quality work).
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Opinions and viewpoints are purely those of the author and in no way represent
the policies of the USDA Forest Service nor the opinions and viewpoints of any
official representative of the Forest Service.
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