Creating ideal conditions for students
Elin works as an education administrator and exam coordinator at the Centre for Languages and Literature here at the university. She's responsible for Danish, Icelandic and the translation courses, as well as for exams with adaptations for students with learning support. “I spend a typical day in my office, responding to emails from students and scheduling exams”, Elin says. “The work with learning support involves talking to teachers, finding solutions and making sure that students have the best possible conditions for their studies. I also administrate grades and communicate with management. The most fun part is structuring things – I really like planning and organising.”
Found a love for administration at her part-time job
In 2019, Elin began studying history in Lund, but longed for something more practical and therefore switched to archaeology. This resulted in a bachelor's and master's degree in prehistoric archaeology, combined with courses in osteology, the history of religions and ethnology. “The master's programme was particularly valuable because of the number of international students, and the variety of perspectives they all brought.” During her studies, Elin worked at the Unit for Educational Services at the university as an IT support technician and scheduler, and that’s where she discovered her love for administration. “I got to write lists and make schedules, so it suited me perfectly.” Elin also served on the board of the archaeological student association KNUT as event coordinator and secretary. “What I learned there about organisation and collaboration is useful in my role today.”
Education is more than just studying subjects
Although Elin has not followed a traditional career path as an archaeologist, she makes good use of what she learned during her studies. "Now that I work in administration, I am part of the university's public face. How you express yourself on websites and in front of students is important, and it is valuable to have insight into how the university works from both sides. During my studies, I built good relationships with study counsellors and researchers. Those experiences will be valuable If I decide to do something else later.”
Elin's advice for those who are worried about finding a job
"Give student associations a chance! You can go to game and craft nights, but also workshops on how to apply for jobs and make important contacts. I heard about my first job at a museum through a member of KNUT”, she says. “One tip for archaeologists is to mix different specialisations and courses to broaden your knowledge. If you want to work in the field, you may need to travel around and be flexible to get a job. But there are other paths to take. You can work in a museum, as a guide, in administration, in archives or for government agencies. Remember that you may not get your dream job right away. It takes time and you have to try different things to find what works for you."