{"id":9563,"date":"2025-12-22T20:55:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T19:55:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/womazing.eu\/?p=9563"},"modified":"2025-12-23T14:03:46","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T13:03:46","slug":"reimagining-the-future-of-archaeology-alexandra-dolea-on-burnout-professional-reinvention-and-building-sustainable-career-paths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/womazing.eu\/en\/reimagining-the-future-of-archaeology-alexandra-dolea-on-burnout-professional-reinvention-and-building-sustainable-career-paths\/","title":{"rendered":"Reimagining the Future of Archaeology: Alexandra Dolea on Burnout, Professional Reinvention, and Building Sustainable Career Paths"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Alexandra Dolea<\/a> spent over 15 years immersed in the world of archaeology – from directing field excavations  to lecturing in universities and writing grant proposals across Europe. Her journey paints the picture of an accomplished scholar with international credentials and deep field expertise. But as with many women in research, the visible success came at an invisible cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Burnout, disillusionment, and systemic precarity eventually led Alexandra to question not only her place in academia but the very structures that had shaped her career. What followed wasn\u2019t a dramatic exit but a strategic reinvention. Today, Alexandra is the co-founder of PastForward Hub<\/strong><\/a> – a global career platform connecting archaeologists with jobs, colleagues, and resources across academic, commercial, and public sectors<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not just a story about career change. It\u2019s a roadmap for redesigning work with sustainability, dignity, and autonomy at its core. In this Womazing interview, Alexandra opens up about the long road from fieldwork to entrepreneurship, how she defines professional wellbeing, and why building systems of care is not idealistic – it\u2019s essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Alexandra
Alexandra Dolea. Photo-credit: Corinna Stabrawa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Discovering a Calling in the Dust<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Many people dream of becoming archaeologists as children. What first inspired you \u2014 was there a defining moment or story from your early years that shaped your passion for the field?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

–<\/strong>It might surprise you, but I never actually dreamed of being an archaeologist. I wasn\u2019t one of those kids obsessed with mummies or pyramids. I wanted to be a veterinarian – that\u2019s how far away I was from archaeology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything changed thanks to a brilliant high-school history teacher. He encouraged us to dive into research, visit archives, write, and publish even as teenagers. It was empowering to see our work in print for the first time – it made knowledge feel alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At university, I initially planned to specialize in Ottoman studies<\/strong>. I even learned Ottoman Turkish for a year! But then came the summer of 2006 – a defining moment. We had to choose between museum work, archival practice, or excavation. Most of my classmates chose excavation for fun, so I joined them at a Roman site near the Black Sea called Tropaeum Traiani<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s where it happened. I remember the exact moment I found a simple stone fragment<\/strong> buried in the ground. It wasn\u2019t gold or jewelry – just a piece of history – but it felt like magic. The thought that someone had touched it 1,500 years ago sent shivers through me. That was it. The ground beneath my hands felt like it was whispering stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From that day, there was no way back. Archaeology became my path, my passion, my connection to humanity across time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Beauty \u2014 and Burnout \u2014 of Academic Life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

-You\u2019ve spent years in academia. What made you realize it was time to reimagine your career \u2014 and eventually help others do the same?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


-I never had a grand career plan. I just wanted to do archaeology for the rest of my life, – but academia doesn\u2019t always reward passion. It demands it, and often drains it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I worked on projects across Romania, Austria, France, Greece, and Turkey. I collaborated with universities and museums, and from the outside, it looked impressive. But behind the scenes, it was extremely unstable. Most of my positions were short-term contracts or fellowships with no benefits. Sometimes you work 12 hours a day, writing reports or managing projects, and you\u2019re not even sure if you\u2019ll be paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Archaelogist
Alexandra excavating an ancient site<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I used to joke that I was a \u201cfreelancer in denial.\u201d<\/strong> I didn\u2019t want to be a freelancer, but that\u2019s what I was \u2014 constantly applying for grants, juggling deadlines, and living without stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then came the pandemic. My last contract in Vienna ended in late 2020, and suddenly, I was unemployed. I had spent months writing research proposals – none were funded. Overnight, I went from field director to job seeker. For the first time, I couldn\u2019t see my next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It wasn\u2019t just professional loss – it was identity collapse<\/strong>. I\u2019d built my self-worth around academic achievement. When that disappeared, I felt empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 2022, I hit burnout and panic attacks, anxiety, and sleepless nights. The irony is that I had dedicated my life to studying ancient civilisations, yet I couldn\u2019t find stability in my own. That realisation changed everything. I hit a wall. And in that space – after the collapse – I started to ask different questions. Like: what if I didn\u2019t go back? What if I built something else? That\u2019s when the idea for PastForwardHub started to take shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I started talking. First anonymously, then publicly. I wrote about burnout on social media, and the response was overwhelming. Dozens of people – mostly women – messaged me saying they felt the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s when I realised: this isn\u2019t just personal. It\u2019s systemic. And it needs infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Passion Becomes Pressure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

-This is the \u201dsecret behind of the scenes\u201d of academia, unfortunately. Many professionals in research and academia struggle with burnout, instability, or lack of support. What do people usually share with you – and how do you help them move forward?<\/strong>
-The most common word I hear from academics is \u201calone.\u201d<\/em> People feel isolated – as if everyone else is doing fine except them. But behind closed doors, most are struggling with the same things: precarious contracts, overwork, and emotional exhaustion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I mentor professionals now, I notice a big shift: it\u2019s not just early-career researchers who feel stuck – it\u2019s mid-career professionals<\/strong> too. They\u2019ve built impressive r\u00e9sum\u00e9s, but they\u2019re trapped between worlds. They\u2019re \u201ctoo qualified\u201d for entry roles outside academia, yet \u201cnot experienced enough\u201d for corporate positions. That creates deep insecurity and loss of confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We start by identifying their transferable skills<\/strong> – project management, leadership, communication, data organisation, and intercultural understanding \u2014 all essential in other sectors. Then we focus on redefining success, shifting from \u201csurviving another grant\u201d<\/em> to \u201ccreating a life that fits your values.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The turning point often comes when they realise: I have options.<\/em> It sounds simple, but for someone conditioned by academia, it\u2019s revolutionary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating the Support System She Never Had<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Tell us about PastForwardHub. What inspired you to create it, and how is it helping archaeologists build more sustainable futures?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


-PastForwardHub was born out of shared burnout – and shared hope. I met and then partnered with two other women – also archaeologists who had left academia. We asked ourselves: What do we wish had existed when we were in crisis?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s how PastForwardHub began – as a global career platform connecting archaeologists with jobs, colleagues, and resources across academic, commercial, and public sectors. It\u2019s a career ecosystem<\/strong> that combines mentoring, networking, and practical skill-building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We want to offer resources for both career and personal development: mentoring, coaching, and a strong community where people can ask questions, share experiences, and organise workshops or webinars focused on practical skills. Members of the community will also be able to share their expertise – for example, how to use project management tools or apply AI ethically in academic research. Understanding the responsible use of AI, and how to integrate it into everyday research life, is becoming essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And since we probably overcomplicated our lives (as archaeologists tend to do!), we\u2019ve already been working on it for nearly a year. We launched a crowdfunding campaign<\/a><\/strong>, as everything so far has been built on a volunteer basis. We dedicate our free time to this project and have already invested our own funds to build the website, a brand identity, and a social media presence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also developed a Discord server to connect the community and created a survey to understand what people truly need – what archaeologists need – from this platform. Our goal is to launch the first version next year, to start testing, refining, and improving as we go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re trying our best – and building something we believe the community truly deserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rethinking Success Beyond Academia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

-For those feeling stuck or undervalued in academic or contract-based archaeology, what does a \u201csustainable career path\u201d look like – and how can they start building one?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


-A sustainable career doesn\u2019t mean leaving archaeology – it means redefining your relationship with it<\/strong>. It\u2019s about creating a structure where your work supports your life, not the other way around.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first step is acknowledging burnout<\/strong>. It\u2019s not weakness – it\u2019s a signal. You can\u2019t build something sustainable on exhaustion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, take inventory of your skills. Academics often underestimate themselves. Archaeologists, for instance, handle logistics, budgets, field teams, communication, and cultural sensitivity daily – all of which translate beautifully to other industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And finally, find your community<\/strong>. Academia often breeds isolation, but sustainability comes from connection \u2014 people who remind you that you are more than your job title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal isn\u2019t to abandon your passion; it\u2019s to make space for your humanity within it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skills beyond the trench: what archaeologists bring to the table<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

-And what are some skills archaeologists often overlook in themselves?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

–<\/strong> So many! Project management. Budgeting. Cross-cultural communication. Public speaking. Writing. Teaching. Data analysis. Event coordination. Language fluency. Negotiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But academia often trains us to only speak in academic terms. So these skills aren\u2019t recognised outside the field – and sometimes not even inside it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PastForwardHub aims to help archaeologists identify, articulate, and leverage these skills – whether they want to stay in academia, freelance, public sectiors or shift to NGOs, publishing, education, or even tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Most archaeologists have five careers\u2019 worth of experience. They just haven\u2019t been taught to name it.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turning Pain Into Gain<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

-Looking back, how did your personal challenges shape your mission – to turn pain into gain, not just for yourself but for others?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


-For a long time, I saw my burnout as failure. But pain is also energy – it can destroy you or move you forward. Once I started to speak openly about it, everything changed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, I was terrified. I had no idea what I was going to do. I\u2019ve worked since I was a teenager, so I knew I could do anything – even sell at the market, which I actually did. And that\u2019s fine. You can have a PhD, all the titles in the world, but when you need money, you set your ego aside and do what it takes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That experience taught me not to be ashamed of working hard or needing financial stability. We don\u2019t talk about that enough- how most people in academia live in precarity. Only a small percentage reach permanent positions. In archaeology, over 90% never do. That\u2019s the reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

It looked like I had it figured out, but honestly, it was terrifying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the moment I started to talk and write openly about my struggles, people began writing to me: \u201cThank you. I thought I was the only one.\u201d<\/em> (That\u2019s actually how we met, too – you read that post<\/a><\/strong>, she laughs.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s when I realized: my story wasn\u2019t just mine – it was systemic. Silence was the problem. So I began mentoring, creating workshops, and advocating for change. I even presented at the European Association of Archaeologists<\/strong> about the need for professional mentoring and coaching in our field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, every time a mentee tells me they\u2019ve found their next step or rediscovered confidence, I feel that transformation again. It\u2019s proof that healing multiplies when shared.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Reality Behind Academic Precarity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

-In your community surveys, what are the main challenges archaeologists report today?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


-Our survey already includes over 250 responses – and the top three challenges are strikingly consistent:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Difficulty finding stable jobs<\/strong> in archaeology.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Low pay<\/strong> even for highly qualified professionals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Financial insecurity<\/strong> that prevents long-term planning.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How can anyone innovate or stay mentally healthy when they\u2019re constantly in survival mode? It\u2019s not sustainable. Another problem is the perception that academics are \u201carrogant\u201d or \u201cunrealistic.\u201d In reality, archaeologists manage incredibly complex tasks as we mentioned earlier: budgeting, logistics, fundraising, conflict management, and intercultural collaboration. These are not \u201csoft\u201d skills. They are transferable leadership skills, and there are so many ways to apply those skills in other fields – for the benefit of other professions and society as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The Future of Archaeology and the Role of AI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    -How do you see the future of archaeology and humanities in an era shaped by AI and technology?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


    -Many archaeologists are afraid of AI – but mostly because they don\u2019t understand it yet. It\u2019s not a monster coming for our jobs; it\u2019s a tool, and like any tool, it depends on how we use it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    AI is already part of our daily life from translation tools to image analysis. In archaeology, it can help process large data sets, recognise patterns, or read ancient inscriptions faster. But it can never replace human interpretation, intuition, or cultural context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What we need are ethical frameworks<\/strong> – understanding where automation helps and where human expertise must remain central. Instead of resisting it, we should teach the next generation how to use it consciously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Technology won\u2019t end archaeology. It will expand it – if we learn to integrate it with awareness and respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Growing Through Mentoring<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    -How has mentoring others helped you heal and redefine your own purpose?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


    -Mentoring saved me. After burnout, I needed a new way to channel my experience – something that gave meaning to the pain. Helping others navigate what I had survived became that channel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When I mentor someone who\u2019s on the edge of giving up, I understand their pain and I see myself in them. And when they rediscover hope, it feels like both of us heal a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I don\u2019t want to fight academia; I want to transform it from within – through compassion, dialogue, and community. Because if the community isn\u2019t well, the discipline isn\u2019t well either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    –And do you think that institutions like universities and heritage organisations are open to collaboration?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    -More and more. Some are realising that their graduates need broader support. Others see PastForwardHub as a way to offer something meaningful to alumni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Redefining Identity Beyond the Title<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    – Leaving academia isn\u2019t just a professional shift – it\u2019s an identity change. How did you navigate that?<\/strong>
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    -That was the hardest part. Academia becomes who you are. When you leave, it feels like losing a part of your identity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But I realised something important: I didn\u2019t stop being an archaeologist. I just changed how I express it. I\u2019m still researching, analysing, connecting people to the past – but now I do it through mentoring, writing, and community building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your title doesn\u2019t define your value. Your impact does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Building a Movement, Not Just a Platform<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    -What\u2019s next for PastForwardHub, and how can people get involved?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


    -Right now, people can support us by backing our     crowdfunding campaign<\/a><\/strong> to bring the first version of PastForward Hub online.  The platform will eventually offer both free and premium memberships, partnerships with universities, and even local \u201chubs\u201d where members can meet in person.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our mission goes beyond job listings. We want to redefine what success in archaeology looks like – from competition to collaboration, from burnout to balance, from silence to visibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Anyone can join by taking our community survey<\/a><\/strong>, contributing expertise, or simply spreading the word. Together, we can build a more supportive and sustainable future for researchers everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Final Reflections: Choosing Yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As our conversation closes, Alexandra smiles – not the smile of someone who has all the answers, but of someone who has learned to live the questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cI wasn\u2019t brave,\u201d she says. \u201cI was desperate. But sometimes desperation becomes courage when you refuse to give up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Her words capture the spirit of an entire generation of researchers rethinking what fulfillment means. The excavation may no longer be in the soil – it\u2019s within ourselves, in rediscovering purpose, connection, and joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Through PastForwardHub<\/strong>, Alexandra Dolea is not just building a platform. She\u2019s building a movement – one rooted in empathy, resilience, and the belief that sustainable professional careers begin when we choose ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can connect with Alexandra here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If the story resonates with you do not forget to support the movement here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Alexandra Dolea spent over 15 years immersed in the world of archaeology – from directing field excavations  to lecturing in universities and writing grant proposals across Europe. Her journey paints the picture of an accomplished scholar with international credentials and deep field expertise. But as with many women in research, the visible success came at […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":9567,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"80","_seopress_titles_title":"Reimagining Archaeology: Alexandra Dolea on Sustainable Careers","_seopress_titles_desc":"From burnout to breakthrough: Alexandra Dolea\u2019s story of leaving academia to co-found PastForwardHub - a new path for archaeologists seeking sustainable careers.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-womazing-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/womazing.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/womazing.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/womazing.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/womazing.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/womazing.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9563"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/womazing.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9563\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/womazing.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9567"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/womazing.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/womazing.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/womazing.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}