I'm lost and need some direction forward

[crazycanuck]

Hey,

I'm feeling annoyed & lost at the moment with my present position and want career or a job with real meaning/use. I have a boring job and don't do anything important but work for a great company. I can't leave yet for varying reasons. At the moment I just want to rip my eyes out from boredom.

Yes, i have a degree however with the moves to different countries, i've been unable to get into the area I want. I've pretty much made my passion just a hobby.

I'm looking at returning to university part time next year and then full time the following. If anyone works in the following areas, can I pick your brains?
1-Health information management
2-Librarianship/Records-Archive management
3-BSC in Sustainable Development.

I'm getting older (ok i'm 35 :() and need to get myself on track.

Any ideas are wonderful.

[shootingstar]

Too bad we didn't meet.

I am a librarian..with a Master's in the discipline. Ah yea, lots of stories..where I've worked as a librarian, all specialized..law, engineering, health care in private and public sectors. I've never worked in a public library where you sign out novels.

I have met librarians from Aussieland..there are some cool fire protection engineering libraries there... :D

I never dreamt a career would mean to have client groups that included: judges, lawyers, physicians, physiotherapists, engineers, firefighters, ex-police officers, accountants...

It has been ..an incredible journey...like a bike ride. :) Methinks I shocked a fire chief in southeastern Ontario when we were bike touring and dropped in on the local fire department's BBQ fundraiser. Had a chat with him on the new firefighter competency standard for the province... and resource support. :D

You can no longer think of just librarians..our reach extends into knowledge management.

PM me anytime.

[crazycanuck]

Thanks S!

I'll pm you some more questions.

If anyone else works in a uni or corporate library please let give me a heads up. Email's preferred as i don't want to always log in at work.

Tanks

[KnottedYet]

Used to be a librarian. My best friend is a librarian. Gotta lot of family who are librarians. Literally grew up in libraries.

Sometimes I still miss it, and still think of going back when my knickers are in a twist in my new career.

But I'm just a little too high energy for libraries at this juncture.

(and CC, 35 is NOT old!!! That's how old I was when I went back to school.)

[littlegrasshopp]

+1 on not being old at 35! I to and 35 and thinking about going back for the second time! First time was at 30. I am glad I did it then, and I'm looking forward to it even more this time. You'll have lots of company!

[wannaduacentury]

Too bad we didn't meet.

I am a librarian..with a Master's in the discipline. Ah yea, lots of stories..where I've worked as a librarian, all specialized..law, engineering, health care in private and public sectors. I've never worked in a public library where you sign out novels.

I have met librarians from Aussieland..there are some cool fire protection engineering libraries there... :D

I never dreamt a career would mean to have client groups that included: judges, lawyers, physicians, physiotherapists, engineers, firefighters, ex-police officers, accountants...

It has been ..an incredible journey...like a bike ride. :) Methinks I shocked a fire chief in southeastern Ontario when we were bike touring and dropped in on the local fire department's BBQ fundraiser. Had a chat with him on the new firefighter competency standard for the province... and resource support. :D

You can no longer think of just librarians..our reach extends into knowledge management.

PM me anytime.

Ditto!! I work in a college library and public library in technical services. Made a career switch 2 yrs ago. Doing a degree in History(halfway there) and will get a Masters in Library Science after that. I like both types of libraries and do different things for each one. I like special collections and archives too. As Shooting star says, it's not just books anymore, there's a whole cool world of information. Do some research, definately an interesting career. You can most likely do a Masters online from an accredited school. Jenn

p.s. oh yea, my dh is acqusitions librarian for the college library we work at :) It's a family thing here too. (wink)

[blueskies]

There's a free online video workshop with Marcus Buckingham on the Oprah web site.

http://www.oprah.com/money/career/marcus/course/marcus_course_main.jhtml

"Are you stuck in a job you hate? Feel like you just don't have enough to give to your professional life and your personal life? You're not alone. Career coach Marcus Buckingham met with a group of women just like you to help them figure out how to reignite the passion in their careers. Now it's your turn! Take Marcus's step-by-step workshop and use his lessons to change your life."

Might help you to make the best of where you're at while you're still there & give some ideas for what would be important features for you in a new career.

[crazycanuck]

Hey, thanks for all the input.

My main concern is even if I do the Master of Information Management @ Curtin Uni, will i be able to attain a position? I know the course is is accredited by the Australian Society of Archivists and the Records Management Association of Australasia but is it hard to break into the sector?

I am unsure if the following makes sense or not but: I know what I want in terms of a career but I can't seem to get there.

I'm tired of being in the vicious circle of-I can't get the job because i don't have enough experience but can't get the experience because i can't get the education/job.etc..

Also, I want a career where I have to think and utilize me brain cells! I'm tired of being bored.

Does this make sense to anyone?

[Mr. Bloom]

CC: I recall you were the one that forced me to look up "superannuation";)

Functionally, how would what you seek be different from what you're currently doing?

Is Health Information Management what I might call Informatics?

[KnottedYet]

Job markets go up and down.

When I finally left the libraries I was in a position where I worked 39 3/4 hrs a week and no benes. (it was less than 40 hrs a week....) There were other folks in the same library who'd been doing that for 5-10 years and still had no benes. Jobs were tight.

Couple years ago I was *this* close to heading back to libraries. In my neck of the woods they were DESPERATE for science librarians (that's my "thing"). And there were full benefits!

If the market looks good now, it might be different later; if it looks bad now, it might be different later. Follow your passion! The jobs will be there one way or the other. :D

Oh, and being "older than average" counts as a bonus as a newbie in library jobs. Breadth of knowledge and experience in the real world is far more valuable than just years-in-the-library.

[shootingstar]

CC- Does the information sciences/knowledge management Australian job market which would includes libraries offer jobs like these roles?

http://www.fis.utoronto.ca/component/option,com_jobline/Itemid,/task,list/limit,20/limitstart,0/

There are no guarantees of job offer(s) after graduating with any advanced degree..even a Master's of Business Admin from top universities...doesn't still guarantee a decent job.

To apply that degree and to benchmark oneself in a career, here is a pie-in-the-sky standard for those working in specialized resource centres/roles: http://www.sla.org/content/learn/comp2003/index.cfm The spirit of the standard speaks very well to the professional members who are dynamic and refresh their skill set throughout their career. Becoming an information professional demands that a person constantly learns multiple resouces, technologies in terms of design, teaching, and secondary research. It is about understanding user behaviour and usability of information products in addition to broader political issues of information literacy, censorship/access, privacy, etc.

Sorry, I just got home..from work and had my supper..will continue dialogue offline. Have to shower..

[Flur]

I hope I'm not thread hijacking and I apologize if I am, but I'm absolutely fascinated. I love books... what does one study while working towards a Masters in Library Science? What is a day on the job like?

[shootingstar]

I hope I'm not thread hijacking and I apologize if I am, but I'm absolutely fascinated. I love books... what does one study while working towards a Masters in Library Science? What is a day on the job like?

From an accreditation manual for certifying acceptable library/information sciences university program: http://www.ala.org/ala/accreditation/accredstandards/standards_2008.pdf (p. 6-8) is of relevance.

In a nutshell, there would be compulsory courses on management, organization of information (which we can get into taxonomy/classification development, metadata standards= cataloguing standards) or information architecture (as the techies like to call it), etc.

A day on the job...depends on the type of role. Today included:
*discussing with one of my staff what needed to be done.
*preparing for an informal meeting-- ie. reviewing some best practices that I had written & cosigned with some other managers. This will be issued to our client.
*searches for an engineering manager and another chap on a particular facility building we were building...probably to clarify confusion about the contract terms
*checked in database backend to monitor growth, also if I have put in new user into the system to allow his access.
*indexing some documents with full-text conversion
*meeting with 2 engineers and quality assurance manager. Brainstorming for an upcoming meeting for client wants to understand high-level how all documentation is being organized. Plans to regroup again next wk.
*then HR manager wants to borrow that part-time staff member..next week..I said ok but we need her again
*search request for an obscure permit on watercourse that 1 government authority asked from another party..-found it
*more documents... of course many cover millions of dollars worth of contracts.
*explaining to another staff member how to save time from double/triple checking. Can't afford that...we are taking in 1,000 new documents monthly that must be integrated centrally. (& that's NOT including 70,000 accounting documents, 10,000 engineering drawings that our dept. will inherit in the end).

My present job is not typically a "librarian's" job but clearly it is information oriented, has a clear service and teaching role also.

[mimitabby]

CC, i have to give you my left-handed perspective. I'm a few years from retiring from a job where i don't utilize more than 5% of my talents. I have a job that is boring, pays well, is secure, good benefits. I figured out a long time that jobs earn you money, but they don't feed your soul. (for me) I spent so much time in the first 15 years of working trying to figure out what the "right" job was for me. Hmm, yes, the right job would be city of Seattle goat breeder?

Then i sat down and talked to my DH's 75 year old uncle.
he said "I never did figure out what i wanted to be when i grew up!" That's when i quit worrying about it.

200 years ago, no one worried about getting joy from jobs. you worked to stay alive. we kind of still do. I get my jollies from lots of stuff. my job keeps me flush.. life is good. i am happy, fulfilled, but my job is just a small part of my life.

good luck.

[kelownagirl]

PM Queen. I'm sure she works in a Uni library.

[shootingstar]

sorry CC...I'll give a better answer offline...I hope though running around to pack to go on vacation after work tomorrow..

Am distracted by phone call from partner who just finished cycling-conquering a mountain pass this evening, in the rain on his way to the interior B.C.

Am trying to make this cycling related...eventually. ;)

[crazycanuck]

Mimi-I understand what you're saying and my job isn't my life.

All of the friends in our social circles have good careers plus good cyclists and I want that as well. I don't get why I can't have that or be that!

I am embarassed to say what I do for work as it's unimportant and it's not a career position.

I do understand that nothing's guaranteed in life!!

[LBTC]

As usual, I see both sides of the work / life coin. I totally see Mimi's idea, and have lived it and benefited from it greatly. This month I made a leap and am starting with a new exciting firm with fabulous technology and likely a very bright and prosperous future.

The job happened because a guy I worked with recommended me to his friend. And I guess when I worked with that guy he was impressed with my abilities, even though I was way below capacity because I was so sick.

What am I trying to say? I think that the answer will be clear to you when you are ready for it. Keep doing your research, keep asking questions, finding out about courses, etc, but know that you will not see where the path leads when you take the next step (you've already taken the first one by starting your research). Be open to what the universe offers. And be prepared to take a risk.

I'm sending you lots of butterflies. Watch for them, they may help you find the answer!

Hugs, too
~T~

[mimitabby]

I can appreciate your dilemma. I'm just saying, happiness comes from within, whether you are a brain surgeon or the guy who wheels the patients out of surgery (like someone we know) or a dirt farmer or a corporate exec. The job, the career won't make you happy. You have to do that.

and good luck with your career. I see young people like you and I always hope you find that something that helps you make a difference.

[wannaduacentury]

CC, i have to give you my left-handed perspective. I'm a few years from retiring from a job where i don't utilize more than 5% of my talents. I have a job that is boring, pays well, is secure, good benefits. I figured out a long time that jobs earn you money, but they don't feed your soul. (for me) I spent so much time in the first 15 years of working trying to figure out what the "right" job was for me. Hmm, yes, the right job would be city of Seattle goat breeder?

Then i sat down and talked to my DH's 75 year old uncle.
he said "I never did figure out what i wanted to be when i grew up!" That's when i quit worrying about it.

200 years ago, no one worried about getting joy from jobs. you worked to stay alive. we kind of still do. I get my jollies from lots of stuff. my job keeps me flush.. life is good. i am happy, fulfilled, but my job is just a small part of my life.

good luck.

"I never did figure out what i wanted to be when i grew up!"

I agree with your uncle Mimi. Also "Work to Live, not Live to work" theory keeps me sane. It's easy to get caught up in. Besides the average adult has several careers before retiring anyhow.

So CC, do research, volunteer as an apprentice in something you're interested in. My dh got into libraries by doing project jobs and went in the back door that way(he did public an academic libr) I'm following in his footsteps that way( btw I'm 35 too), while finishing my degree. Libraries in my area are jobs to keep, you either have to die or quit for an opening b/c folks just don't leave. Jenn

[Geonz]

On the other hand, my job is a *very* fulfilling part of my life. Every minute of every hour, we're having our little effect on the universe, and if some planning can steer us towards the work hours having a salubrious effect on it and ourselves, it's worth working at.
It's not worth goin' nuts over the infinite parts we can't control, of course ;)

I love love love books ... but I would be miserable as a librarian (well, perhaps there *might* be a weird niche job somewhere). Lots of my friends are librarians and it involves ORGANIZING information and keepin' track of lots of stuff at the same time ;) I'm afraid ... I'd be reading when I should be working...

When I was in my 30's I found an absolutely excellent job suited to my skills and temperament teaching at a small private school. Except it wasn't *really.* And... it was the fourth attempt. I had to go at the "what do you want to do" question knowing "and it might not be what you *think* you want to do?"

_What Color Is Your Parachute_ by Bolles helped with some neat exercises in discovering the kinds of situations I perform well in and find satisfying. There were some major surprises.

It's a weird economy so security matters... but be a little daring :)

[TahoeDirtGirl]

I really enjoyed reading this thread. When I graduated college in 2000 at the age of 30 I thought that real life was going to begin, and that employers would be knocking down my doors and I would be using what I learned and making great money. HA. What I didn't realize is that we are on these paths (bike paths!) that when I am on it, everything feels *right*..when I veer off of them..it feels *wrong*.

Like others said, investigate and be open. You might find some shade of librarian work that you really like and don't dismiss it. I don't think we ever grow up or stop learning. That is the important part. I was in the same position that you were in when I decided I wanted to go into something more athletic, like personal training. I am going to sit for my exam in August and I now have a Sports Management degree. It took a long time to get from here to there but I learned alot. Not ready to just quit my engineering consulting job and jump into it but I realize that I can transition into it at some point of my life. Just keep looking around like others said and be careful what you wish for :)

[shootingstar]

I can appreciate your dilemma. I'm just saying, happiness comes from within, whether you are a brain surgeon or the guy who wheels the patients out of surgery (like someone we know) or a dirt farmer or a corporate exec. The job, the career won't make you happy. You have to do that.

It is true --how one views their job to earn money.

I think it also depends on the level of "risk" that one wishes to/can afford to take to try something different also.

And "risk" is something combined with unpredictable life opportunities in terms of timing in one's life, how one hears about certain jobs or just being at right time, right place.

I also believe that there are many types of jobs people aren't aware of their existence.

One thing for certain, I am so glad I never worked for 1 employer for the past 1/4 century. For myself, I would have become a more cocooning type. I'm the type of person that needs to parachute myself into completely different workplace cultures over time, without much advance planning. I'm a better person in general for this.

If I know too much in advance, if I plan too much in decision-making for my life's journey ...I end up procrastinating way too long...

What I can say in general for the path I have taken work-wise...is I have learned SO MUCH ..not the book facts, but how people think and try to problem-solve in different ways, how different subject disciplines intersect/interconnect one another, etc. and how to hone one's brain to razor sharp alertness to think simultaneously in a logical but creative way in a very limited time period. Often people observing what you are doing.

And how to learn to be imperfect in front of group of people --with flair and curious confidence to pursue right answer in front of them.

[tulip]

When I stopped caring about the work I was doing, I knew it was time to move on. I admire those people like Mimi who can just do their job and not worry about it. I can't. It's what I do for most of my waking hours. It has to have meaning for me; otherwise, it feels like a waste (to me).

It's been 10 months since I left DC and started working from home as a consultant to non-profits developing affordable housing for people with special needs. I'm enjoying my work and my balanced life. Of course there are other options; there is not just one right answer. I want to do more garden design (paid) and get involved (preferably paid) in bicycle planning with the city (when they get their act together, that is), and maybe teach teach city planning or landscape design at a local college as adjunct faculty. I also want to teach pilates and kayaking, but I need some credentials for those two.

I took a paycut, but I also moved to a more reasonable city.

It took me a long time to make the move, but I'm glad I did. I can always go back and get a corporate or public-sector job in my field if consulting doesn't work out. But I have lots of projects currently to keep me busy (and interested) for the foreseeable future.

That's just my story. Everyone is different. I think that we know when it's time to change. It's just a matter of listening.

[mimitabby]

When I stopped caring about the work I was doing, I knew it was time to move on. I admire those people like Mimi who can just do their job and not worry about it. I can't. It's what I do for most of my waking hours. It has to have meaning for me; otherwise, it feels like a waste (to me).

It's been 10 months since I left DC and started working from home as a consultant to non-profits developing affordable housing for people with special needs. I'm enjoying my work and my balanced life. Of course there are other options; there is not just one right answer. I want to do more garden design (paid) and get involved (preferably paid) in bicycle planning with the city (when they get their act together, that is), and maybe teach teach city planning or landscape design at a local college as adjunct faculty. I also want to teach pilates and kayaking, but I need some credentials for those two.

I took a paycut, but I also moved to a more reasonable city.

It took me a long time to make the move, but I'm glad I did. I can always go back and get a corporate or public-sector job in my field if consulting doesn't work out. But I have lots of projects currently to keep me busy (and interested) for the foreseeable future.

That's just my story. Everyone is different. I think that we know when it's time to change. It's just a matter of listening.

Tulip, i think what you are doing is awesome. I've just seen too many people with such expectations; expectations that no job could fulfill.
I'm glad everyone isn't like me!

[tulip]

Tulip, i think what you are doing is awesome. I've just seen too many people with such expectations; expectations that no job could fulfill.
I'm glad everyone isn't like me!

Thanks, Mimi. I like my job, but it isn't perfect. The thing I like most about it is that it's flexible. I can work from just about anywhere. No cubicles! I work in cafes, in my apartment, at my friends house on the Chesapeake Bay...even on the train. My time is mine to determine how I'll use it. I have to be vigilant, though, about not working too much and not slacking off too much.

I would like to do work in Europe (I tried to live and work there, but just could not get a job with my US education). So I've come to terms that I will visit. Perhaps someday I will be able to live there, but for now, visiting will have to do. Theoretically, I can do my current job from Europe, aside from the occasional meetings and site visits. So perhaps next year I'll do that for a few months.

I sometimes toy with doing bicycle planning. I interviewed for such a job last year, but it was in DC and for all sorts of reasons I was ready to leave there. As a bit of compensation, I always add a bike rack to our apartment projects, and one of these days I'm going to get it together to donate some bikes to the residents. Most don't have cars and biking is a good option for getting around. I also indicate bike paths on the transit maps that I create (for funding grant applications)

I'd also like to do more design work, but I do get to work with architects. I did a landscape plan for one of my projects that is now under construction. Hopefully there won't be any surprises during construction that will mess with the budget, as landscaping is the first to get cut. If that one turns out well, then I will use it to market those skills. It's all drought-tolerant and non-invasive plants; not just lawn and shrubs like most senior housing projects.

I'm the defacto tech support for our tiny company of three people in two states. Me as tech support is kinda funny. Learn as you go! I figured out how to set up a remote server, whoo-hoo! In my budding tech role, I want to start a blog and make my website more active and interesting. Right now it's pretty static.

All that with 25 projects in the pipeline, I'm busy...but I'm having a great time. I'm able to incorporate my interests into alot of the work that I do. Plus, helping people, albeit indirectly, is important to me.

The lessons that I have learned are that can incorporate my interests and talents into my work now because I'm in charge of my time and projects; whereas I had a harder time doing interesting things when I worked for a big firm (even though it was a prestigious design and planning firm--I had gotten pigeon-holed into one small segment of the market and I couldn't get out and remain with the firm).

Anyhoo, I hope CC figures things out for her situation. Don't expect perfection, but improvements are possible.

[tulip]

The thing I miss most of all is my bike commute! It's harder than I thought to just go out for a bike ride. I need a destination and a purpose for my bike rides!