Career goals, types of libraries and course selections

[Phyl]

Today I had to fill out a "plan of study form" so I can be accepted by the Graduate Admissions Office (already accepted by the department). This particular school has 6 required courses and 6 electives. As someone who's undergrad only had one required class this is super limiting to me. I feel like if I took a variety I'd not have enough experience with anything. This isn't my first choice program but filling out the form caused me think about what I actually want to study.

My interests are in museums, archives, and college libraries. From the (limited) research I've done this is a pretty small job market and especially in college libraries most people have another degree in a specific subject. Also with the economy and job market being how they are right now lots of these institutions are hurting for funding and not really hiring. I also have experience working with my undergrads Rare Books library, and in talking with my internship supervisor (the university archivist) that seems like where my interests definitely lie.

I feel that taking public library classes and more database management, online info and other things that would relate to corporate libraries and information management might be more useful in terms of finding a job. But as fun as reading young adult literature for class would be I don't know if I see myself being happy in a public library. But other than my use, I have no experience with public libraries. I've done some database/computer science type classes in undergrad and I hated them. Mind numbing, spirit sucking, mentally screaming at a TA who didn't speak adequate English hate. I know I could make it through a class or two if it meant better job prospects.

I want a job after graduation. I chose to take a year between undergrad and grad, and I'm spending most of it unemployed or temping. My BA does not qualify me to flip burgers or file; it's been frustrating to say the least. I don't want to be in the same position 2 years from now with more debt, another degree, and no job.

So where do I compromise what I want to what is marketable? What is a reasonable expectation of library jobs in the next few years? How's everyone else handling this? Am I really really going to need more school to do what I want and is there anyway to start working and have whoever I'm working for pay for it?

Additional thought: being geographically mobile helps, of course, but I've got a long term relationship and he's got a steady position and wants to stay in urban areas for his field. How screwed am I for not wanting to move a significant distance from NYmetro area?

Edited March 4, 2010 by Phyl

[In4mation]

So where do I compromise what I want to what is marketable? What is a reasonable expectation of library jobs in the next few years? How's everyone else handling this? Am I really really going to need more school to do what I want and is there anyway to start working and have whoever I'm working for pay for it?

Additional thought: being geographically mobile helps, of course, but I've got a long term relationship and he's got a steady position and wants to stay in urban areas for his field. How screwed am I for not wanting to move a significant distance from NYmetro area?

This post is for rhetorical and for your own venting, right? Ok, maybe not. I'll throw out some possible answers.

Where do you compromise is a question that only you can answer. Some people don't ever compromise, while some give up everything just to be employed. I think you can find a middle ground, you probably just need to talk to some people about what they do and how they got there.

The reasonable expectation is probably that the economy will bounce back somewhat and libraries will receive more funding. What happens after that is anyone's guess. As you probably know, most libraries are eliminating positions and will probably not rehire in the same fashion. No longer are people needed to check out books, but rather operate the automated machines. Many librarians are multitasking and even shelving books. You might want to contact libraries and ask librarians what they think.

I am handling this by going to get a PhD. Although I've spent over a decade in the book industry, and have only been accepted to a MA in LIS, I will not stop there. You should find your own niche.

Will you need more school? That depends on your ultimate goal. What did you want to do, how much do you want to make, where are you willing to locate? these are all questions you need to answer yourself. Yes, some places will pay for you to get more education, especially if you work for a university library, you may be able to get tuition waiver to their program, or even another. Every company/position is different.

If you had to stay in a metro area, I think NYC is a good one. The public library system, corporations, and other resources are outstanding. But this also means more competition for jobs. I am sure it possible to be successful there, you might have to work a little harder and be a little more resourceful and determined.

Good Luck!

[Phyl]

Thanks, I think my post was a product of the realization I'm going to actually have to start making decisions about grad school rather than just waiting to get in. The other programs I've applied to are far more flexible and it'll be easier to blend my interests and more marketable stuff. I just need some patience while waiting to hear from them. :deep calming breath, check online status,still no decision:

[sleeping kitten]

Thanks, I think my post was a product of the realization I'm going to actually have to start making decisions about grad school rather than just waiting to get in. The other programs I've applied to are far more flexible and it'll be easier to blend my interests and more marketable stuff. I just need some patience while waiting to hear from them. :deep calming breath, check online status,still no decision:

Try to get experience. Internships, or whatever. You are MUCH more likely to get hired (or so i've been told by the librarians who hire at my school) if you actually have experience.

[AwkwardPants]

Try to get experience. Internships, or whatever. You are MUCH more likely to get hired (or so i've been told by the librarians who hire at my school) if you actually have experience.

This is the key point. Get experience with different libraries or with archives and you will figure out what you want to do.

Library school is dull. Even if you could hand-pick every class individually, library school would still be dull. You may get the occasional fantastic prof or interesting class project, but mostly you will just have to grit your teeth and dig your way out of the busywork. After my first semester, I started specifically looking for courses taught by adjuncts because the tenured profs in my department either had never worked in a library or hadn't worked in one in 10+ years. And unless theory is your thing, they will not have a lot of wisdom to impart about how to be a great librarian.

Nobody can tell you what the librarian job market will be like in two or three years. At the moment it's pretty bleak, but that's true of the job market for just about every profession. So for now, the best thing you can do is spend your time in library school by making yourself a stand-out candidate from day 1. Get involved, get a job, go to conferences, make friends with the librarians at your school. One of the best things you can do is read job ads religiously and then figure out how to get the skills/experiences that hiring committees want. I don't think it's the norm for academic libraries to require a second master's degree. At some places it's preferred (especially for subject specialists), but the vast majority of practicing librarians I know don't have one. In fact, the best strategy is to get your MLS while getting into as little debt as possible, get a job, and then let your university pay for your second master's degree while they also pay you.

Oh, and the rule for academic librarian job searches is as follows: you can get a job quickly, you can get the type of job you want, and you can get a job in your preferred geographical area, but you only get to pick two of the three.

Anyway, sorry for the information overload. I'm a young academic librarian who is jumping ship to get an unrelated PhD, but I'd be happy to answer any more questions if you have them.