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I graduated in May 2007 with my MLIS and I have yet to find a professional position. I was kept on as a temporary employee at the library where I was a GA through the end of last year after I graduated. However, since that position ended. I have been unemployed. Part of the trouble is that I really do not want to relocate. It is not a good option for me right now and unfortunately I live in the area where I went to library school so there are lots of MLIS grads.
I have many years of paraprofessional experience, mostly in public services, however I have worked in public, academic, and special libraries so I am open to the type of library I can work in. I currently volunteer at a public library and stay involved in the state library association to remain in touch with the profession, but nothing seems to be panning out. I have applied to a couple of out of state positions with no luck. I am even applying for paraprofessional positions with no success in some cases because I am seen as "overqualified".
Since I am nearing the point of being unemployed more than 6 months, what's the best way to address this if it all on a resume or in an interview?
Presently my volunteer experience does cover the gap but I don't know if that's sufficient. Also my degree is fast approaching not being so "new" and I don't have any professional experience,
The irony of the situation is that I left my full-time paraprofessional position in a public library to finish my MLIS and gain some more current experience in an academic setting. Now I am having a harder time finding a job than I did before I got my degree.
I could really use some pointers. Thanks!
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My situation is very similar to yours, with only a volunteer position covering the gap of now 7 months. What I did was take a continuing ed course this summer - that way it shows I am at least TRYING to do SOMETHING while nothing pans out. It sounds like you are doing all you can - being in a professional association and volunteering. But my suggestion would be to just add a continuing ed class... That's all I can think of! I keep reminding myself that there were plenty of stay at home moms in my classes who had been out of the workforce for years, not working at all while their husband's supported them, so I'm hoping a span of a year or so with no job will not be that bad looking as long as I volunteer and take classes. readersadvisor wrote:
The irony of the situation is that I left my full-time paraprofessional position in a public library to finish my MLIS and gain some more current experience in an academic setting. Now I am having a harder time finding a job than I did before I got my degree.
I could really use some pointers. Thanks!
Very similar to my situation, I am now really really regretting leaving the para position to go to school full time. But it was a dead end position with no opportunity for advancement. I saw getting my degree faster as the only way to improve my current situation and not drag it out for 5 odd years part time, instead of 2 full time! :-(
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readersadvisor wrote:Since I am nearing the point of being unemployed more than 6 months, what's the best way to address this if it all on a resume or in an interview?
Presently my volunteer experience does cover the gap but I don't know if that's sufficient. Also my degree is fast approaching not being so "new" and I don't have any professional experience,
The irony of the situation is that I left my full-time paraprofessional position in a public library to finish my MLIS and gain some more current experience in an academic setting. You do not put things like that in a resume. A resumes list your education, jobs, skills, etc. No where do you list things that you feel are negatives. Spend more time customizing your cover letter and resume to match the exact requirements of the job ad. There is nothing you can do about things that others may consider negative. the only thing you can do is sell yourself and experiences for each position your apply. If you are asked about it an interview, you address their question honestly.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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I left my paraprofessional position for the same reasons and figured the academic setting would be a good change especially since I had started working in academic libraries as an undergrad many years ago. I do feel better knowing I am not alone in this. I wouldn't mind a continuing ed. course but I really don't have the money to spend on it. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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ktb2780 wrote:Very similar to my situation, I am now really really regretting leaving the para position to go to school full time. But it was a dead end position with no opportunity for advancement. I saw getting my degree faster as the only way to improve my current situation and not drag it out for 5 odd years part time, instead of 2 full time! Wow! What program did you go through? I know a lot of people that worked full time and finished their Masters in 2-2.5 years. Yes, the degree is the minimum requirement for professional positions. But, the actual experience (paraprofessional or professional) is more valuable in actually getting a job. I would look at how you are "selling" your paraprofessional experience. Can it be written differently to show more "action" and also match the exact needs of the job ads? Are you selling your experience short?
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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readersadvisor wrote:I left my paraprofessional position for the same reasons and figured the academic setting would be a good change especially since I had started working in academic libraries as an undergrad many years ago. I do feel better knowing I am not alone in this. I wouldn't mind a continuing ed. course but I really don't have the money to spend on it. Thanks for sharing your experience! Apply for some of the various travel grants and educational grants offered by various local, state, and national professional organizations. Most are targeted towards early career or new professionals. They often get very few applications because everyone assumes they cannot win.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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I'll definitely look into that. Thanks!
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bcgray wrote:ktb2780 wrote:Very similar to my situation, I am now really really regretting leaving the para position to go to school full time. But it was a dead end position with no opportunity for advancement. I saw getting my degree faster as the only way to improve my current situation and not drag it out for 5 odd years part time, instead of 2 full time! Wow! What program did you go through? I know a lot of people that worked full time and finished their Masters in 2-2.5 years. Wow, I have never heard of a program taking that long to complete either! Most programs I know of are about 2 or 2.5 years as well, and that is if you go part-time/6 hours a semester. Mine took exactly 2 years, and I worked full-time while getting my master's.
Check out the Talking Books Librarian blog at http://talkingbookslibrarian.blogspot.com
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Next time I reply to something I will be sure to put down all the factors of the story - sheesh!
This isn't the point of the thread, I was just trying to relate to the original poster, but now that it has become the point, I will say taking 2 classes per semester for two years straight was not an option, I commuted to my job round trip 3 hours per day, and my job + personal/family obligations would realistically only allow for 1 class per semester. *Those other 3 hours per day were the hours I would have used for the second class*. Moving closer to my job was not an option at the time, and since it was a dead end job anyway, I figured I'd just go full time, volunteer, and complete it faster to have better prospects quicker, than I would have at 1 class per semester over the course of 4 years. The 5 years was typo.
And for the record, it technically did not take my the full 2 years full time - one semester less than a full two.
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ktb2780,
Don't worry about how long it took. I started going back to add to my Masters to become a school librarian in 2004. I will just be completing my student teaching this fall. I had a child and stayed home with our daughter full time till just three days ago when I started student teaching. I took one class a semester and had completed two of the six I needed before I had our daughter in 2005. Everyone works at their own situation's pace. I was able to complete my Masters in one year when I was single, young, and only a year out with my B.S. degree, so circumstances do change.
Good luck finding a job,
Tasha
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Don't give up. Most important, keep looking and applying for jobs, every day. Use your networks. Tell everyone you know what kind of job you are looking for, and ask if they know of any jobs or any companies that employ people with your skills. Remember, many people get their jobs through networking.
Surviving Unemployment
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Hi,
I left my paraprofessional position for the same reasons and figured the academic setting would be a good change especially since I had started working in academic libraries as an undergrad many years ago. I do feel better knowing I am not alone in this. I wouldn't mind a continuing ed. course but I really don't have the money to spend on it. Thanks for sharing your experience! :)
EDITED 12/22/08 to remove MAKE MONEY signature -- please don't link to spam sites.
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