Midlife change??

[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/showt...hlight=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!"

[michelem]

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

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.

[crazycanuck]

Just apply....

I'm patiently waiting for January.. 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 .

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...