More changes...
I was a stay at home mom for years. I knew that when my kids graduated from high school and flew the nest, I needed a plan to keep me busy and my mind active. I sat down and made a plan. I wanted to pursue my dream career. I wanted to be a librarian. I had worked in a library in college, and I loved every single minute of it. When the kids were in elementary school, I volunteered in the school library media center, and I knew that this was what I wanted to do. The media teacher let me experience what it meant to be a school library media specialist, and I became a substitute teacher so that I could gain that experience. I took a part time job in my local public library, and got more experience working in the library world, and I knew that I wanted to be a librarian.
I sat down and made a ten year plan. We're looking back to 2005 here. I planned out how to get a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science while raising kids - and figured out how to do so without breaking the bank while we were saving to send the kids through college. After much research, I found the online Master's program at Drexel. It had everything I was looking for, and it was certified by the American Library Association - meaning that the degree would be recognized anywhere in the United States.
Unexpected things happened along the way. We moved. I lost a job. I had to take a year off of my studies when my Dad got very sick and eventually passed away. But I never lost sight of my final goal. When the economy began to loosen up, I began substitute teaching in order to gain more experience. My goal at that time was to become a School Library Media Specialist. (SLMS)
Well, that goal never quite came to fruition - I did a lot of stints as a SLMS over the course of five years of subbing, but I never was offered a job. So, after I graduated from Drexel, I began searching for a library job that was outside of the school system.
I had one job - part time - no benefits - in an Academic Library. I earned the startling sum of $200/week for 20 hours worth of work for a position that required an MLS.
I found another job last year. Again, part time, with no benefits, but this one paid me significantly more than the last. It was in a public library - and I do adore public libraries! You can't put a value on what their services add to the community.
Through it all, I've loved every single minute of my job - even when I was working for ridiculously low pay, I still loved what I was doing.
Earlier this week, I got an offer to move up to a full time librarian position! I get to stay in my wonderful little public library, and work with the best team of people I have ever had the honor of working with!
It is my dream job! And It only took 12 years from the time I sat and wrote down exactly how I was going to make this happen.
I'll keep the blog up as much as I can - but it's going to be less. Over the past year, I've written less and less. I will post at least once a week. I'm hoping I can post twice a week. I will definitely be posting on Mondays. I'm going to shoot for another day during the week, but I can't promise which day during the week the post will be going up.
I would like to thank everyone who takes the time to check in with me over the years I've kept the blog up and running. Believe it or not, having a place to write down my thoughts has been a sanity saver more than once!
Peace!
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