Parker Posey as the accidental librarian in Party Girl.
Last week, I got started on a new career path. I just got accepted into the Master of Library and Information Science program at San Jose State University. I have contemplated applying ever since I was working after graduation from grad school, mainly because adjunct teaching is so unstable. Also, I like libraries a lot. I always have. I finally took action back in November and applied.
Part of why it took me a few years to get to this decision was inaction. I would think about doing something, yet I didn’t follow through. Also, I had spent many years in school between my BA and my MFA. Some people I knew saw me as a “professional student” or “college student for life,” and I’ve never liked those labels, even if it took me forever to earn my degrees. Even though I wished I did this sooner, I’ve had a few years where I had some time to let go of my identity as a student.
I have had an uneasy relationship with teaching over the past few years. There are some things I like about it, such as seeing students have that “aha!” moment when they’re learning to write. On the flipside, I’m a highly introverted person and it does take a lot out of me explain things to groups of people day after day. Plus, the adjunct lifestyle’s a tough one (the pay and the driving around to cover a small state) and I’m absolutely certain that I don’t want to become a full-time professor.
I’m not ready to jump the teaching ship yet (unconventional work schedule is a plus), but I definitely need some work experience in my new field. I’m going to meet with the volunteer coordinator of my local branch of the city library to see about doing some volunteer work. Plus, I’ll keep my eyes open for library jobs. I certainly feel that my experience with students isn’t negated, as I may draw upon it for later. Plus, I might wind up teaching college students about libraries later on. I can never say never on that.
Tags: library, library science, MLIS, San Jose State University
Good luck to you, man. It’s always exciting to start down a new path in life and it sounds like this is a path that will suit you well. I think the key for you will be to just make sure to stick with it. Following through is always hard for we sensitive-artist-types.
ThePete’s last blog post..Ballpoint Adventures for February 24, 2009
Thanks! I’ll stick with it for sure. I am excited about September now. There’s no time like a bad economy to reinvent yourself.
Congratulations! This is really cool. I’ve made a couple of stabs at post-BA studies, and never got very far due to constantly having my fascinations change from one subject to another.
Kyle’s last blog post..gustatory graduation
Hey I heard about that program here at work! Are you doing it online? If something opens up here at USD I’ll let you know.
Kyle, thanks!
Thanks, Rich! I appreciate that.