01.09.08
Make it twopence
So I’ve got an interview for a part-time (15-25 hour/week) “library associate” position next week. Even assuming I get the job, it’s a 45% pay decrease from what I’m currently making–and I’m not making all that much. I’ll be able to keep my current job even with the reduced hours.
So my question is (again assuming I get the job): is it worth taking the position to get the experience even with the drastic cut in pay? I would ask for the least amount of hours so I could earn as much as possible. It’s not like I would be unable to pay my bills, although with this being the post-Christmas season my credit card would really prefer me not to take a pay cut.
What do you think?
Liz said,
January 9, 2008 at 10:45 pm
If you do not have any library experience on your resume, or even if you have some, but not much, I think the answer is a definite “yes”! Every librarian I’ve talked to says that experience is crucial – many would even say your MLIS is a bit useless without it (I think librarians’ blogs reflect this opinion too).
Even if the job doesn’t pay well and isn’t the most glamorous, you can’t get to the next library job without the first library job. If you can make your bills, I think it’s worth it. You should think some about what your plan is to get to the job you ultimately want – this job may be part of that path.
Colleen said,
January 10, 2008 at 6:52 am
If you want to work in a library (and of course, you likely do now that you’ve got the degree), you’ll need some experience to back up your resume. (I say this having just finished my job hunt a few months ago. I had 3 years of experience in a university library system in both access and reference and instruction, and a few times I was still told that they preferred more than 3 years.)
There are so many MLS grads who have never worked in a library before that I think this is pretty much a requirement to even land an interview for a good spot anymore. I’d recommend taking the job (particularly if it is in the type of library you’d like to ultimately work in). Any experience is better than none, and if you can stick it out for 6 months to a year, you’re way ahead of where you are now with that experience. (It’s also good because it will fill that ever-increasing gap between what you learn for the MLS and what you actually do while working in a library setting.)
Keep us updated and let us know how it goes. I was holding down a FT and a PT job while doing the MLS full time, so I feel your pain…but it’s completely worth it when you land the perfect job. I promise!
bluestockinglibrarian said,
January 10, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Colleen, I don’t have my degree yet (I’ll be applying for grad school in fall ‘08), but yikes–you were told 3 years wasn’t enough experience?! I’m pretty sure I want to work in academic libraries instead of public ones (which is what this one is) but if that’s the case, I should take what I can get!
Liz, I’m intrigued by the job path idea you mentioned… Could you tell me more? Maybe it’s something one learns about in grad school, but I assumed (perhaps naively!) that I’d work my way up the ladder once I got a job (all those baby boomer librarians are supposed to be retiring any day now, right?
) either within that first library or by keeping my eyes open at nearby libraries (relocation is not an option for me). Is there something more I should be planning?
emcavert said,
January 24, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Sorry to be so slow about replying to your question about the “job path”! It’s not anything very specific – it’s just basic life planning, and how the path looks is a product of you, your previous experience/education, what you want, and the opportunities available (what schools you can go to and what jobs you can get). It is an individual, personal path that you create for yourself. My main point is that I recommend creating a path for yourself so that you always have an eye looking forward. Many people get very caught up in getting through school and then they get done, and then they don’t have a next step ready to go. Your plan can, and will, change all the time.
To give an example, my current plan: keep getting through school and getting as much out of my MLIS classes as possible. Stay in my current positions through this spring, and then consider other positions as they become available (but it is okay if I say where I am until graduation). Make connections to librarians and others in the field through library associations and networking. Do a project this summer that will give me new, practical experience. Learn some basic web development skills by next fall.
Hope that helps.
-Liz
bluestockinglibrarian said,
January 26, 2008 at 11:02 pm
No worries, Liz!
I think I understand you better now about the career path… basically having an end goal in sight (beyond “become a librarian”) but also keeping an eye on the tangible, present-day/near-future things that make up the journey. Am I right?
Your plan sounds like an admirable one. I’ve been reading quite a lot on various listservs that MLS/MLIS students should “make the most of” their education and be sure to take classes beyond the basic requirements, that regardless of the quality of the school, the degree is what you make it, etc etc. Do you mind if I ask–are you doing your degree online or the traditional way?
emcavert said,
January 31, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I am in a traditional program at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN. I initially signed on to contribute to this blog, but so far it seems I have over-committed myself and haven’t gotten anything up! (Though I frequently write down ideas to use later). I am about half-way through and am enjoying the program very much.
bluestockinglibrarian said,
January 31, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Well, you’ve given me lots of good advice! I look forward to reading your column once it’s up and running. What’s your subject?