Need a kick in the ass for work direction.
January 21, 2012 1:44 PM Subscribe
I am wanting to get a job in Indianapolis where I am from. My wife and I have lived in my current city for 4 years and have not managed to make any close friends and am not finding much to do here. I am average at my job IMO where others could do much better and have more passion (librarian) (i.e. I don't deserve this job...but that is another story...). Question: trying to figure out what I might be better at and leave library service altogether to more qualified people and find some unrelated job that I can at least make 35 K to start paying off student loan. Is this asking for too much in today's job climate? I am 41 with the M.L.S. if that helps clarify and have solid work performance and have no qualms about ever being a librarian or anything like it again.
Response by poster: I like to draw, read, do research for novel, starting to write fiction, criminology interests (my major way back in 93 though am not sure if I can handle practical street stuff over theory)...read a ton on theology though my beliefs change 4 x a year. I don't know if looking for a job I could love is too much to ask for or if I should try to find a job I can do and do hobbies on the side. (I am just now resurrecting the drawing from a long time ago and writing is a new thing. Can't guarantee I'm that good at it.)
Thanks for your clarification question. I treid to delete this question as I felt ashamed asking in a climate where having a job is something to be grateful for.
posted by snap_dragon at 3:12 PM on January 21, 2012
Thanks for your clarification question. I treid to delete this question as I felt ashamed asking in a climate where having a job is something to be grateful for.
posted by snap_dragon at 3:12 PM on January 21, 2012
Best answer: I wondered why you marked this resolved! You shouldn't feel ashamed -- many of us are in the same position, working a job and thankful to have it, but not fulfilled.
I don't think it's too much to want a job paying 35K -- that's lower than the average starting salaries for new grads in 2011, and you have experience plus a graduate-level degree. The problem with trying to find jobs for enjoyable hobbies like reading, writing fiction, and drawing is that they are scarce and most people like them and think they are pretty good at it. For every successful artist or writer, how many are starving? Is it possible that you are a pretty good librarian, but just at the wrong library? Are there tasks that you do (or see other people do) at the library that seem particularly interesting, and that might provide a path to a different career?
posted by Houstonian at 3:23 PM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
I don't think it's too much to want a job paying 35K -- that's lower than the average starting salaries for new grads in 2011, and you have experience plus a graduate-level degree. The problem with trying to find jobs for enjoyable hobbies like reading, writing fiction, and drawing is that they are scarce and most people like them and think they are pretty good at it. For every successful artist or writer, how many are starving? Is it possible that you are a pretty good librarian, but just at the wrong library? Are there tasks that you do (or see other people do) at the library that seem particularly interesting, and that might provide a path to a different career?
posted by Houstonian at 3:23 PM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Houstonian, that is a good question about being at the wrong library. I know I am...I don't think I am meant to be in the public sector anymore. I have 20 years + retail experience (most of it in bookstores) and I think maybe it has worn me out a bit though I don't dislike people. I look at the library field and it is so so so terribly sparse with jobs even though I have 4 years experience...and it filters much more when I am heading for 1 city -- so that is why I am totally open to something unrelated. Plus, when it comes to being a librarian, I am a good mule -- I plug and get the job done but I don't have the new ideas that are needed and constantly demanded to keep things fresh. I just don't. I am at peace with that. If I had money I would go back to school for something (assumingI could figure out what) but that isn't an option right now. I am a bit too unhealthily cynical about finding something i love as I can't even figure out what I am good at. At the risk of quoting a self-help guru, something stuck in my head, though. It was the uber-buff Jillian Michaels and she said to ask yourself a question. Instead of "why me?" or "I can't etc etc", how about asking "Why Not Me?". So...I am working on it despite my apparent negativity. (Wow, this is a meandering answer...sorry 'bout that.)
posted by snap_dragon at 3:33 PM on January 21, 2012
posted by snap_dragon at 3:33 PM on January 21, 2012
Best answer: I wonder if these two blog posts linked on the blue today (and probably some more reading from the same blog) might help you reframe your approach: The Passion Trap and Beyond Passion. In your list of interests, I see a lot of things that are tough to do for a living, particularly if you don't also have a strong interest in things like marketing yourself and running your own small business. (I have this problem too -- e.g., I really love knitting and could do it all day every day, but to make that my career isn't going to happen without strong entrepreneurial skills that I don't have and am not really interested in getting.)
The other reason why I'm suggesting reframing your search is your line about not deserving your job, and leaving library service to more qualified people. You earned your degree and got yourself a job? That means several other people think you're qualified. Is it possible that you're just feeling crappy about yourself and selling yourself short? Because if that's your problem, it'll follow you to your next career and keep getting in the way of your happiness, so it might be the most important thing to work on.
posted by clavicle at 3:38 PM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
The other reason why I'm suggesting reframing your search is your line about not deserving your job, and leaving library service to more qualified people. You earned your degree and got yourself a job? That means several other people think you're qualified. Is it possible that you're just feeling crappy about yourself and selling yourself short? Because if that's your problem, it'll follow you to your next career and keep getting in the way of your happiness, so it might be the most important thing to work on.
posted by clavicle at 3:38 PM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Clavicle, thanks for those links, and yes you are right about the problem. (I am currently working on it, also with better living through chemistry as they say...and found an interesting app for Android for CBT journaling.)
And a friend said a piece of wisdom quoting Thomas Wolfe in that "You can never go home again." so I am trying not to wax too nostalgic about my old haunts but when I visit, it truly still feels like home in a good way despite the usual changes.
posted by snap_dragon at 3:48 PM on January 21, 2012
And a friend said a piece of wisdom quoting Thomas Wolfe in that "You can never go home again." so I am trying not to wax too nostalgic about my old haunts but when I visit, it truly still feels like home in a good way despite the usual changes.
posted by snap_dragon at 3:48 PM on January 21, 2012
Considering that you have the library degree but don't want to stay in the public sector, have you looked into corporate librarianship or knowledge management?
posted by Meg_Murry at 5:05 PM on January 21, 2012
posted by Meg_Murry at 5:05 PM on January 21, 2012
Best answer: Lists of things you enjoy are generally not lists of things you can find jobs doing. This is one of the many reasons being an adult sucks. On the other hand, 35K is not a very tall order, so in your position and with no real direction, I would work with an adult careers advisor or coach to do a skills inventory and find out what jobs you're a good match and qualified for. Warning: I am deeply suspicious of these people and there are virtually no qualifications for being a "coach" - it is hard to find one who can apply actual science rather than self-actualizing bullshit that just makes you feel better about a job search that is still directionless. (Although to be honest, it sounds like you could use some confidence...)
But basically, I bet you have a very specific skillset you don't recognise or value, but that employers would in jobs you've never thought about for yourself. Market research. Hit air balloon pilot. Accountant. Until you can detail your real skills with precision, you won't know!
If it helps, the kind of career reinvention you're talking about is 100% normal these days; we have something like four careers in a lifetime. You shouldn't feel badly about it, you should just do it well!
posted by DarlingBri at 6:40 PM on January 21, 2012
But basically, I bet you have a very specific skillset you don't recognise or value, but that employers would in jobs you've never thought about for yourself. Market research. Hit air balloon pilot. Accountant. Until you can detail your real skills with precision, you won't know!
If it helps, the kind of career reinvention you're talking about is 100% normal these days; we have something like four careers in a lifetime. You shouldn't feel badly about it, you should just do it well!
posted by DarlingBri at 6:40 PM on January 21, 2012
Snapdragon I share your feelings for Naptown as I'm looking to move back in a few months. Fortunately I will be able to do this with my company. I know some friends of mine have had luck finding jobs with the state working downtown. I can't speak about the library system though. Good luck in your search.
posted by Phantomx at 8:55 PM on January 21, 2012
posted by Phantomx at 8:55 PM on January 21, 2012
Best answer: I am also currently questioning my career, and I'm reading this book. I actually found it in my local library. I've found it immensely helpful even though I am not a recent grad. It takes you step-by-step through some classic life-coach and job-coach exercises, as well as some creative visioning and positive thinking stuff. It has really helped open my mind to all the possibilities in my life.
It seems like you are seeing everything around you as a closed door, so you are not letting unexpected opportunities enter your life, and you don't know where to start looking for your next step. It sounds like you are not clear on what your strengths and desires are, or what options are out there. You need to do some serious, sustained, creative thinking... which no one on the internet can do for you. The book I linked is a guide for exactly that.
posted by 100kb at 12:01 AM on January 22, 2012
It seems like you are seeing everything around you as a closed door, so you are not letting unexpected opportunities enter your life, and you don't know where to start looking for your next step. It sounds like you are not clear on what your strengths and desires are, or what options are out there. You need to do some serious, sustained, creative thinking... which no one on the internet can do for you. The book I linked is a guide for exactly that.
posted by 100kb at 12:01 AM on January 22, 2012
Best answer: Have you thought about looking for a job as a church or seminary librarian? I stumbled into theological librarianship and it may be a good fit for you if you're interested in the subject. There are a few places in Indianapolis that you might want to keep an eye on if this sounds interesting - Christian Theological Seminary or the Archdiocese of Indianapolis - or maybe even a religious bookstore.
Also, think about going to a temp agency once you get to Indianapolis and see what's available. I was midway through library school when I got assigned a temp job organizing event planners, and I really hoped they'd take me on permanently, I liked it so much. There are so many careers out there that you don't even know exist but sometimes happily stumble upon. Good luck! If you have any questions about theological librarianship, feel free to get in touch.
posted by jabes at 4:58 PM on January 23, 2012
Also, think about going to a temp agency once you get to Indianapolis and see what's available. I was midway through library school when I got assigned a temp job organizing event planners, and I really hoped they'd take me on permanently, I liked it so much. There are so many careers out there that you don't even know exist but sometimes happily stumble upon. Good luck! If you have any questions about theological librarianship, feel free to get in touch.
posted by jabes at 4:58 PM on January 23, 2012
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posted by Jubey at 2:25 PM on January 21, 2012