Full Careers
How to direct my career toward a job in the library field?
I am currently a high school teacher, who has realized in the past year does not enjoy teaching. I love books and organizing and would like to direct my career toward something in the library field, not necessarily in a school. I have a B.A and a Masters in Education. I can't afford to go back to school right now, but if I could get into the library field and get some assistance I would gladly go back and get whatever additional training or schooling needed to further my career in this field. What would be the best way for me to get a job/ break into this field given my background and situation???? I already have a full time job (that is very demanding) that I am not willing to quit until I can get into this field and don't have time for another job at this point. I am in the process of volunteering at my local library.... I have taught at all the levels that my license allows from 7th grade to regular high school to high school for adults (my current job) and I didn't enjoy teaching at any level. I just want to be around books and reading and organizing and not have to teach! I am looking for alternatives to going back to school right now! I already have a ton of student loans and am saving for a house, so school is NOT an option right now. So please don't bother answereing if your answer is go back to school, I am looking for other options to get into this field and THEN go back to school!
Public Comments
- easy look up National Assoc of Librarian Org. or something like that. contact local library for info. get 2 more pt/tm jobs , get budget apply it, save up ur money so u have some thing to live on or prepay ur life for the 2 yrs of schooling. check with college see if u can take some course pt/tm. suggest reading '48 days to work u love' d.miller to confirm ur actions and get more info on going forward. read 'total money make over' d.ramsey to get handle on ur cash flow b4 school.
- Wow, don't enjoy teaching anymore....that is hard after what you have put into that profession. I would think that you could apply at your local Library to work after the teaching day and see if you really do want to work in a Library. I would give it several months before giving up a teaching job. Could be you might run across a Grant to go back to school. My Mom went to night school, and took day classes when us kids were in elementary school. She became a Librarian for a few years, then gave that up for the Grocery Industry...and became a Meatwrapper for double the pay and back then good medical benefits. Have you thought of teaching at a different grade level....? That change will be really different and might give you the enthusiam you lack now for teaching.......
- To be a 'librarian' one must get a MS in Library Science. You can probably work at a university library while you attend school to obtain this degree.
- Generally, to be a librarian you need a Masters Degree in Library Science from a school that is accredited by the American Library Association. If you can get a job, the money is pretty descent. You do not want to work as a clerk or a para-professional in a library because they don't make any money. (If you think teachers are underpaid you wouldn't believe how little library clerks and para-professionals earn.) I earned my Masters in Library & Information Science one year ago. The market in Southern Californai, which is where I lived, had way too many qualified applicants with MLIS degrees and I was unable to get a job. I'm not sure if it was really worth it for me to get my Masters Degree. The demand right now is currently for librarians who are bilingual and children's librarians. Also, if you are willing to work in small towns that nobody else wants to go to this will improve your chances of getting a job. I would recommend that you get your MLIS degree if you are serious about this. You can always take out student loans to fund your education. Also, many good library schools offer degrees online. Good luck.
