Growing Together: The Fair Field Foundation’s Mentorship Program

In archaeology, we often talk about stewardship – caring for the past so it can shape a better future. In 2022, The Fair Field Foundation started with a clear and necessary purpose: to finally create a space where women, 2SLGBTQ+, and any marginalized individuals in archaeology could access the guidance, connection and support needed to build lasting careers. Strengthening the field starts by strengthening the people in it, and our Mentorship Program was created to turn that belief into action!

As we complete the pairings for this year’s mentorship cycle, we wanted to take a moment to reshare what this experience is truly about. 

What is the Mentorship Program?

Starting each January, we connect professional archaeologists from around the globe with one mentee who is navigating their future in archaeology. This mentorship carries on for one year and is designed to be a positive space for growth, clarity, confidence and honest conversation about building a sustainable career. (We don’t want this to be confused as a direct recruitment opportunity or job interview)! The goal is to learn from one another, share experiences and create real momentum in professional journeys.

What Happens in a Mentorship?

Naturally, every mentorship looks a little different but we have guidelines in place to support you along the way! Regular conversations are at the heart of the program and can be held bi-weekly or monthly depending on what works best for each pair. Having a dedicated 1 hour check-in allows the time to (1) share updates and celebrate wins (2) unpack challenges (3) create goals and strategize (4) share experiences (5) identify and address other relevant needs or questions. For example, some of these discussions may explore things like building leadership skills or navigating dynamics within the field, to resume building or advice on continuing studies. 

We would like to give a kind reminder that the mentee is responsible for taking the lead when it comes to coordinating meetings with their mentor. Our team at The Fair Field Foundation will check in quarterly to see how things are going and celebrate your progress along the way. Of course, mentors and mentees are always welcome to reach out anytime if questions come up or support is needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’re often asked whether you can rejoin the program after completing a mentorship cycle. The answer is absolutely yes! Mentors and mentees are always welcome and encouraged to return – you’ll just be matched with someone new the next time.

We also get asked who can join the program and if they need to be in North America. The program is open to anyone in archaeology who feels they would benefit from guidance and support or feels marginalized within the field. Meetings are done virtually so you can be located anywhere! We do our best to match mentors and mentees within similar timezones to make check-ins as smooth as possible. 

The Impact So Far

We truly love hearing about the experiences and impact that have come from these connections and wanted to share some positive feedback! We’re grateful for everyone who has stepped forward to mentor, to learn and to grow. This program exists because of your willingness to invest in one another.

“[My mentee] is making excellent progress… Our conversations have been meaningful. We’ve discussed developments in the field, my own career path, and various opportunities she might pursue.”

“[The Fair Field Foundation] mentorship has been going great! [My mentor] has been so supportive of my goals in making archaeology more accessible, and I believe she will be a great support come field season! TFFF has been so great, and I have been enjoying my time!”

“[Our mentorship] is really good! We worked mostly on resumes which was a success!”

“[My mentee] is a wonderful young archaeologist and we are having a lot of fun talking about all things AI, career and everything in between. I hope she is getting as much out of this as I am, it is really great to see the world through someone else’s eyes who are just starting out.”

“The mentorship is going really well! [My mentee] and I have been meeting about once a month, depending on our schedules. She’s incredibly passionate about archaeology and determined to finish her thesis this semester. Over the winter, she’s gaining hands-on experience cataloguing artifacts with a CRM company, which has been a great opportunity for her.”