After graduating from university in August 2008 with a research masters in archaeology, I was fairly confident – despite the recession – that I would be able to find some kind of work, even if it wasn’t my dream job. Sixth months down the line, after numerous failed job applications, unreturned email enquiries, and useless job agencies, a friend suggested that I join WEXO.


After joining and applying for a few jobs, I quickly obtained some work experience working for WEXO itself, and out of this I obtained the internship I am currently doing: working for Intelligence Squared (IQ2), London’s premier debating forum. I am currently working in a small team, helping to build their new website. Not only do I have the chance to put to use the skills I gained at university, but I am also constantly adding new skills to my CV. In addition to helping source content for the website, I carry out research for the background information on the written articles and videos that will appear on the site, and provide input about its layout and style. But the main new skill I have learnt is how to use the software that allows us to add content to the site, and the associated testing and editing. This job was not something I had ever thought of doing when I graduated, but this internship has opened up a whole new career path for me.


What I would recommend about WEO is that it is more personalised than other websites that offer jobs or internships. When I first joined WEXO I was already tired of other websites emailing me details of jobs that were entirely unsuited to me and which seemed to have been chosen at random. Within weeks of joining WEXO I had gained a few days’ work experience there. Shortly after that they arranged for me to have an informal interview (a drink in a pub!) with someone from IQ2, and the next week I started working there. I am hugely grateful to WEXO for this. Although I have only been at IQ2 for two months, I already feel that I have greatly increased my chances for obtaining future employment in a range of roles.


Mark Roberts

I’ve been working for WEXO for over three months now and was lucky enough to find the position through the website itself. However, my roots lie not in business development but the exotic world of archaeology.

I studied Egyptian Archaeology for three years at University College London and found it one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’m often asked how I got ‘into the field’ as it were, as well as the more frequent questions about my relations to Indiana Jones and why I chose to design buildings (note: archaeology is NOT architecture), and so have decided to share my top five reasons for how and why I went into the Archaeological environment and why you all should too;

1. Travel – Travelling around the UK and Europe and seeing ancient sites was what originally got me hooked. While studying for my undergraduate degree the opportunities to travel were fantastic. Beside study tours to Turkey and Egypt I was able to spend three months across three consecutive summers excavating a Roman fort in rural Romania. Sun equals fun.
2. Experience – The best way to learn things in archaeology, especially if you want to become a field archaeologist, is to get stuck in. Experiencing techniques and evidence in the field is the best way to develop an understanding. There are various societies and field teams that allow students to come along and join in at weekends and school holidays. As long as it doesn’t spend the whole time raining with you knee-deep in mud and bones, it can act as a great foot in the door and helped me considerably.
3. Research – Any background reading is a great asset, try out “Archaeology: Theories, Methods and Practice” by Renfrew and Bahn. Following current affairs also provides a great residual knowledge of archaeology and enables you to make wild assumptions about a series of small walls in true Time Team style. The best source online is http://www.archaeology.co.uk/ .
4. University – Studying archaeology is predictably the best way to turn the hobby into a career, and you’ll quickly come to realise Tony Robinson is no expert.
5. Variation – An aspect of archaeology that you can’t find in most dull office jobs is that of variation. Whether you’re travelling abroad in sunnier climes, writing a research paper, excavating a burial ground, or dabbling in site photography, the one thing you will never be is bored!

Let’s hope this has encouraged you all to jump on the archaeological band wagon and start digging up your parent’s garden!

Elliott Rampley

elliott@wexo.co.uk