Midlife change??

[Red Rock]

I have been in the science field since I can remember, it is only when I do crafts and things like that that my other side of my brain is used. Looking at trends in my life I have enjoyed museum work and your basic filing and retention of materials (whatever they are, or depending on the company).

I'm not sure if CC brought this up earlier this year when she was asking questions or not. My question is library science and basic holding on to old materials that will be needed again. What is the need for people with library skills and things like that? If I do something along those lines am I going to be totally bored for the rest of my life? (I guess that is really my decsion in the long run.)

Is there a place(s) in the web where I can do research on these items to get myself better educated on this? Journals to look at?

Thankyou in advance for your collective help here.

Red Rock

[malkin]

I'm no expert, but since Library Sceince became Library and Information Science, I think the field has been growing and there is quite a demand.

[Red Rock]

After I posted my question, I did some searches on the net and was able to get some information. At least enough to satisfy my ponderings for now. I do not how excited I am to go back to school for a masters. uugh!

I think I will let life happen for a while and then perhaps come back and check this out again.

Thankyou for all your help.

Red Rock

[Tuckervill]

Well, I keep thinking this thread is about menopause! :)

I don't know anything about library science, though.

Karen

[vinbek]

You can get a degree in Library and Information Technology. Big law firms, large companies and dot coms all need help with file retention and storage.

[malkin]

I'd go back to graduate school in a minute!
Trouble is, I'd have to get a Ph.D, because another masters degree would make three, and that would just be too silly!

[Red Rock]

Malkin-I have been one of those perpetual students. After I got my first degree, I went back to certify to teach. Then a few other courses here and there. Just recently, I went back to do the Medical Technology stuff until everything came to head and I figured the "job" was not right for me so now I have stopped that. I am looking for something else that meets my life/living requirments and is not as stressful.

I have always had fears of getting into grad school. Studing for the GRE looks like a bear. Then you throw in my GPA from college and I was not super smart there. I passed but was not an A plus student to say the least. Would they even let me into a program???

Are these "normal" fears of people or am I just not thinking straight?

Thankyou,

Red Rock

[michelem]

Red Rock,

My hubby did not do well as an undergrad. Years later when he decided to pursue a Master's, he was accepted as "probationary" student. Well, he ended up graduating with all A's and one B.

Something you might want to think about doing is interviewing people in the career in order to get a feel for whether this is something you really want to do. Public library jobs are being cut left and right in our neck of the woods (can you believe that all of the librarian positions in our school district have been cut??? CRAZY). No sure how the job market is for librarians who work for private companies though . . .

Good luck to you! :D

[Red Rock]

michelem- thankyou for the input. I guess that is why I'm kind of taking the wait and see approach right now. I do not want to push anything. I just want to be educated on this more before I do anything, that is for sure.

Thankyou,
Red Rock

[Irulan]

The degree you might be thinking of is MLS - master of library science. Things have really changed since the days of card catalogs.

One of my very good friends is a MLS. He worked the reference desk as an information specialist for many years. You know, the desk you call for questions on "anything". The internet has really changed how things are reseached these days. If anything, the field has gotten way more complex.
Many MLS work in the private sector managing all sorts of information.

He recent started a new job, setting up the whole new library for a brand new university. How cool is that?

[Crankin]

It's never too late to go back. I am 55, have an MA in Ed, plus about 90 hours beyond that. I quit my job last year and now am back in school to get a master's in clinical mental health counseling. It's basically the degree I need to do the job I want. I was in a PhD program many years ago, but it was not for me and I am glad I went back to teaching instead.
This is the first time I've been a full time student since 1975! I love it, though I must say the program is a bit more rigorous than my first masters. If you are unsure about how you would do, you can usually take 3-6 credits as a non degree grad student while doing the admissions process. Also, I would highly recommend a prep course for the GRE. I didn't have to take it, because I already had a graduate degree, but I would have definitely needed help with the math part of the GRE.
My husband went back to finish his BS after a few years of working. He did terrible the first time around and then graduated with a 3.9 average. And he was told by an advisor that he would never make it because he had a wife, a baby, and a job, with a tough major. He's now the world wide director of over 200 engineers...

[shootingstar]

MLS- degreed librarian and one who has used her degree for several different employers since 1983.

An MLS degree means that any job in North America that requires an MLS, means you can at least compete for the job that asks for a MLS. And make sure it is from an accredited program ...from American/Canadian Library Assoc. No less. You must have your undergraduate degree in another discpline with certain marks to qualify.

The Internet provides fantastic proof of sheer variety of libraries and resource centres --beyond the public libraries or university libraries. In the past 8 years, some librarians are in knowledge management work which broadens the definition of information management --includes internal records/document management, intranet portal development and libraries. Nowadays there is alot of information to capture / to consider for purchasing/licensing ...and so this is how a librarian can leverage their skills in taxonomy design for databases, large complex intranets/internet websites, etc. Who would be in the best position to analyze web usage metrics...in relationship to information needs, content usability vs. other external relevant information sources for a parent organization?

My whole career has been so far in specializied libraries/resource centres in private and public sectors. Jobs have all required skills of professional librarian. At minimum, I have been in and prefer jobs that integrate customer/client service which includes reference/research work, group training (big demand of librarians these days because now it's not just print, but how to use licensed/fee-based research databases effective).

Have been blessed with managing/delivering services in these types of libraries:

geriatric medicine and gerontology (sociology of aging): I was mentored by a great librarian just after university here.

rehabilitation medicine of spinal cord injured adults: Hospital was devoted this care.

fire protection engineering, firefighting and emergency planning: initially for a engineering consulting firm; then for a govn't agency specialized in this area. This library was probably the most interesting libary. I managed this library for 9 yrs. It was a privilege to grow this library and provide service. There are only 60 libraries worldwide in this area.

judges' library --for one of the provincial courts. Very interesting law library, particularily the clientele...exclusively the judges and their law clerks.

tax and law library for a Big 3 international accounting firm

legal aid library--

major law firm library
by now I honestly can claim I've experienced service delivery and legal/justic system from all angles --govn't agency, courts/judicial perspective, low-income folks, high-end corporate world. Even from the engineering side in terms of regulatory compliance.

now...engineering firm....as a records and document control manager. By next year it will be 145,000 records that I have to coordinate. I started off with zero records 2.5 yrs. ago. It is a fast-paced work environment but in some ways simpler than some other jobs I've had before.

Several jobs above, I managed staff, developed databases, handled budgeting, did management planning reports, plus do reference/research work.

I feel very blessed to have had all these work experiences. Mind you, my resume looks strangely scattered. It is something to witness and experience the impact of technology and Internet on the library profession. Librarians must remember more, diversify their skill set. And continuing education is necessary to remain vibrant and relevant to job market trends and self-growth. There is now more then ever, creative problem-solving..and it must be fast and laser-on target among a diverse range of resources print, external and internal databases.

Some links of use:

My response was here in crazy canuck’s question on MLS/MLIS/ degree:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=24084&highlight=library


For broader understanding of how MLS degree is used beyond the library world which now can include areas of knowledge management.
http://www.sla.org/content/SLA/professional/index.cfm

Sample list of jobs from my alma mater where I did my MLS
http://www.fims.uwo.ca/employment/lis_can/index.htm

You can pm me if more curious.

[tulip]

re getting in to graduate school.

If you don't apply, you are guaranteed to not get in. If you want to go, then you should apply. If you don't get in to the program of your choice, there are other programs out there. If none of those work out, you are no worse off than you are today.

Follow your heart!

[Dogmama]

How timely! I'm looking at options to get my MSW (Masters in Social Work.) I would have to go to our rival university - Arizona State - because Univ. of AZ doesn't offer any options for counseling degrees. That means I'd be a Sun Devil (we call them Scum Devils.) Argh!

Seriously, I went to an info session & was surprised that many of the students were older. Not that I care much, but some people do. When I was in school (back when we had card catalogs in the library!) I disliked the older students because they would screw up the grading curve. Now, "I are one!"

:p:p:p

[michelem]

Update: As of today our school district has reinstated funding for elementary school librarians! :D

Dogmama, Have you looked into the NAU extension program? My hubby got his Masters in Counseling through NAU while living in Chandler and Mesa. Not sure if they have a Masters in Social Work program, but it might be worth looking into . . . Funny you should mention the ASU/UofA rivalry as my hubby graduated from ASU and his sister attended UofA. They rib each other about it to this day. :p

[crazycanuck]

Just apply....

I'm patiently waiting for January..:rolleyes: as the uni spots are handed out :). I don't know if i'll be accepted to uni but it's worth a shot.

I'm very happy that although i'd have to complete another undergrad degree, there's a year taken off because i've studied previously :D.

Bring on january..then i can decide what to do next :(

[Crankin]

Bah!!!
I'm a Sun Devil. One of my kids went to U of A for a year. I guess it was so traumatizing he left and joined the Marines!
Being at Lesley University, a very small private school, is soooo different. My program in clinical mental health counseling is totally experientially based. No tests to screw up the curve, but an incredible amount of reading, writing, presentations, and role playing. It's much harder than the PhD program I was in at ASU many years ago. I don't see how you could learn what you need to learn in this type of field by reading and regurgitating information back.

[Dogmama]

The MSW has a huge clinical component. In fact, you have to demonstrate 240 contact hours before you can be accepted. I agree - I don't see how you can get it by just reading a book. It's like reading a book on swimming & saying you're now a swimmer...Michelem - didn't know about NAU - thanks!!. Of course, you know that NAU stands for Not A University - right?

Sorry - the Devil made me do it....tee hee...

[Crankin]

Wow, I never heard that one. I guess I have been away too long.
I do know a few people, mostly children of friends, that completed degree programs through the NAU extension programs in the valley. They all liked it and have jobs.
We don't have any university rivalries like AZ does. There are so many colleges here, that it doesn't matter. Maybe AZ needs more schools.

[Dogmama]

AZ can't support the schools it has. But that's another subject...

I was attracted to ASU's MSW program because the cohort class size is small - 20-25 students go through the curriculum together. How cool is that?

I will say that ASU seems to focus more on teaching than UA. UA is so bent on research that the teaching component flies out the window. We had a fantastic teacher in my department. He loves teaching & the students love him. He'll never get hired, though, because he has no desire to do research. So he continues to be an "adjunct" which is a temporary position. It's very sad. Money drives everything.

Sorry for the thread drift

[bmccasland]

Bear down Arizona, Bear down red and blue
Bear down Arizona, beat the $*!# out of ASU.....

Sorry, just had to throw that in.

Couldn't help myself.

[Red Rock]

Just wanted to check in and say thankyou for all of your comments. I don't want to make any rash decsions on jumping to grad school yet. I need to do some thinking and evaluating..etc. The first step would be getting into a GRE review course, which sounds like a great idea. I kind of need to look over the forest before going for a hike through the forest. If you understand what I mean.

Thankyou,
Red Rock

[Crankin]

I agree with the research vs. teaching comment. Though, it seems like (and as a Sun Devil, I hate to say this) the kids of my friends who were super smart and won those free ride 4 year scholarships all went to U of A...
I don't know. I liked ASU and feel that I got a very good education. So did my husband.
As far as the AZ can't support more schools, they certainly have expanded the ones that are there. I mean ASU has like 4 campuses now. Maybe if those were entirely different schools, it would be different. You know, more competition.
But, it's a lot better than here.We have so many private schools that most kids won't even consider the state ones. They are woefully underfunded and in deplorable physical condition. My son went to U Mass Amherst (the flagship) and got a great education. But, it's really seen as second class. Then everyone ends up with thousands of dollars of debt to pay for those private schools.