December 2014 Moms

Randomhapa, I have library questions!

You've mentioned a few times about being a librarian.  I have questions!!!  I have a BA in English and MLS.  Long story short, I worked full time and went to school full time so I didn't get the opportunity to do the volunteering/library time in order to GET a library job when I graduated in 2011.  I'm getting this kid out and want to find a freaking job using my damn degree on maternity leave is over.  I concentrated in grad school on the business side of things (analyst, etc.).  Truth be told, I wanted to work at the CIA when I graduated but never heard a word after the 14 times I applied.  Any suggestions??? 

p.s.  I'm moving anywhere.  Seriously.  I live in Georgia now and I've worked as a Legal Assistant for too many years to even mention.  Right now my MLS is basically a really expensive piece of toilet paper. 

God I sound like a loser :(

Re: Randomhapa, I have library questions!

  • I got involved with the program and realized, yep I don't really want to be a "librarian" in that sense.  I really enjoyed the data collecting, analyzing of information side of things.  Are you a member of any of the professional organizations?  I keep toying with the idea of just biting the bullet and joining something but I feel like I'm wasting my time.  I've been out of school for 3 years now and haven't been hired so I'm worried I'm unemployable at this point.  If that makes any sense whatsoever?  I'm contemplating just not going back to work once the kids start school and taking a part time library job somewhere so I can at least get my damn foot in the door!!!  I had this jerk at SCAD that I interviewed with offer me an entry level, $25,000 a year job and I flat out said to him are you freaking kidding me?!?!  I'm 35 years old and have a Master's degree!  Maybe I'm just doing this all wrong and have to pay my dues, as they say? 

    Sorry to talk your ear off.  I'm just so incredibly frustrated and I beat myself up every single day for doing the blood, sweat and tears involved with getting my MLS, only to be doing what a high school graduate can do in the end.  I should just be grateful I have a job, I guess.
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  • I'm a library staff person at an academic library. 

    Even staff positions at my library require a college degree and library experience.

    At my library, we often hire MLSs for staff-level positions. And they are happy to get a foot in the door and get some experience at any level. This enables them to find librarian-level positions elsewhere. 

    I think professional organization memberships are another good place to start. Also, you could work with your program (the one you graduated from or just one that is local to you) to see if there are mentoring, volunteer, or teaching opportunities. Being able to demonstrate commitment to the profession will give you an edge. 

    HTH.


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  • Any other libraryland citizens on D14 want to chine in? @C&EChicago perhaps (unless my pregobrain remembers incorrectly...)?

    Edit: Darn you pregobrain!!!!!


    @randomhapa - Sorry I am not a librarian.  I am an accountant.  My MIL and FIL studied Library Sciences.  I know that my FIL was able to use more of the technical side of his degree and did more on the database side.  He ended working up in data warehousing for one of the large credit card companies.  Not sure if I can be of any further assistance.  PM if you have questions (I really should get rid of that & in my SN). 


    Test
  • Research analyst.  Sigh, that would be amazing!!! 
  • @Hufflepuff42 Yes, it was me.  I haven't been on here in a good while, as I'm still healing from my loss.

    In Indiana, everyone working in a library has to have a college degree or be working on getting a college degree.  At our particular library, we prefer library experience as well. Quite honestly, getting a job at a library in a small town library or whatever may be your best bet to at least get your foot in the door. In our state, we have a series of e-mail list-servs that post jobs at various libraries around the state.
    BFP #1: 4/4/2014, EDD: 12/12/2014, MM/C 5/29/2014 @ 12 weeks, baby stopped developing at 9 weeks, 1 day. Cytotec 6/11/2014.
    Panorama test done, no chromosomal abnormalities. Found out baby was a boy.
    Missing my little boy, Cayden Michael

    BFP #2: 1/30/2015, EDD: 10/07/2015
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  • MW has her MLS from Kent State.  She found a better job just before Akron decided to become really stupid with their library system.  She was just staff, not an actual librarian her MLS specialty was cataloging.

    MW says go back in time and get another degree.  Since that can't happen, she says join a job board.  She is also saying that Southern States are looking for librarians.  Her MLS friend is currently trying to find a librarian position near a beach in the South and hasn't had a lot of luck either.  These are hard positions to find and land.  Her one other co-worker had to move to Colorado to become a librarian.
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  • I really wanted to end up in academia but I just don't see it happening at this point.  It's so hard not to feel like I wasted my time (and money) for a degree I'm never going to use.  I've even applied to South Carolina (where I got BOTH of my degrees) and never heard a word.  Seems like they'd want alums first, right?!?!?!?
  • @Hufflepuff42

    It brings a tear to my eye that someone knows the Gamecocks.  For real, my blood runs garnet and black.  Our guy was drafted #1 this year and we ALL cried.  Man, I wish my dad had been here to see that. 

    I'm trying to devise a plan where I have this baby then it's full court press on finding a job.  I'm hoping that my husband can keep doing what he's doing where I can not be the primary financial person in the family and I can actually take the opportunity to take a lesser paying job.  It'll be hard to take a huge cut in pay but maybe the ends will justify the means?  Archiving, etc. is all so interesting to me.  USC has a rare books library that I could spend hours just browsing through.  What I wouldn't give to do THAT!!!!
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