...or the end of the beginning?
This week I'll start my last semester as a library science student at Simmons -- once I complete it I'll have my Master's degree and will at long last be eligible for a professional librarian job (although I have about another year yet before I finish my MA in history). What has seemed such a faroff and theoretical thing is now just thirteen weeks away, and I'm wondering how soon I should get off my duff and start emailing out my resume and C.V. to prospective workplaces. I'm guessing it's probably not too early to apply for any position that's announced from this point on, as in most institutions it's usually a few months between posting a professional vacancy and making an job offer.
So needless to say, I'm equal parts thrilled and terrified right about now. Thrilled because I'm definitely ready to move on; terrified because this isn't just a change of venue I'm looking at, but a quantum leap! And I have to say the prospect of leaving the Widener Library for any reason sits as well with me as a kick in the gut. I'm already missing this place, and I haven't even left. While I suppose there's a chance that something will open up here at just the right time, I don't want to take a job at Harvard just because it's a job at Harvard. I want a challenge -- something that will combine my education thus far with my library skills and my teaching experience -- not a foot in the door. I feel fortunate that I've spent the past ten years working in two of the world's greatest library systems, but at the same time I understand now that the name is less important than opportunity and what one makes of it.
Speaking of which, I have the unique opportunity to be involved in the creation of a library from the ground up at The Greek Institute, where we are planning to incorporate our physical and digital holdings into a bonafide research library which will be open to the public. What better way to cut my teeth as a librarian? Would that someday they'd have the need and financial wherewithal to hire me as their fulltime library professional, but until then I'll be happy to do what I can either part-time or as a consultant.
Another thing I'm going to miss is all of the weekday time I've enjoyed with my daughter up until now. I know a lot of fathers don't get a chance to spend as much time alone with their children as I have, and I'll always be grateful for these past two and a half years, because they've definitely made me a better parent and forged what I hope is a lifetime bond between Baby Exile and me. And although I'm hoping for a more regular schedule than the one I have now, maybe my professional job will allow me the rare off day to continue being a beach bum with the little lady.
2 comments:
congrats on starting your last semester! I was, at one point, looking at the Library Science program at Simmons (derailed--long story)...from what I gather, when all this is over, you should have a Real Job that will pay you some Decent Money. But, in a strange way, you might end up missing the "school days"...you will never be in this same place again. :-)
Thanks for the well-wishing! Yeah, I've actually had a pretty darned idyllic couple of years -- a couple of days with the baby, a couple of days at work, a couple teaching or taking classes, and then writing whenever the opportunity permitted. Once I get back into 9-to-5 mode I fear it will become excruciatingly difficult to keep all of my plates spinning... here's to hoping for a really interesting job, if nothing else!
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