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Hi, I am seeking information about the field of library science with regard to the job market. Now that we know there is no shortage, is it true that 30 to 20 % of those who get a library degree never find employment in the field? I know you might be wondering why I am posting this as libmom, but my daughter has actively tried to find employment with little luck. She worked for the archivist in her undergrad school, did an internship with the librarian in undergrad, has worked at a library for the two years she went for her MLS. The library she works at has a budget problem so they are not hiring new librarians. She is thinking of going for an archives certification now. I wonder if she is wasting her money. She has spoken about getting a paralegal degree. I also cannot believe what some job descriptions want for new hires. She has applied in all 50 states (where ever there is an opening) . She is thinking of spending money to get help in navigating federal hiring. The big thing is health insurance which she will lose in September and I am more paniced than she is. Any advice? Her concentration in library school was reference.
Please don't be negative about me asking! She doesn't even know I am posting!
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libmom wrote:is it true that 30 to 20 % of those who get a library degree never find employment in the field? Never seen any number like that documented or published. If that number is accurate, I would expect a similar number in many professions.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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Rank: Advanced Member
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libmom wrote:She has applied in all 50 states (where ever there is an opening) . She is thinking of spending money to get help in navigating federal hiring. The big thing is health insurance which she will lose in September and I am more paniced than she is. Any advice? Her concentration in library school was reference.
Please don't be negative about me asking! She doesn't even know I am posting! Is she getting interviews? If she has really applied as much as you are suggesting, she should be getting interviews. If not, I would question her approach to job hunting and see if improvements can be made. If she is spending the time on customizing every resume and cover letter as some that are getting hired, it should be hard to put out high numbers of applications. The level of customization needed to make the top of the resume pile in a HR office or on the library director's desk should cause a job hunter to be more selective.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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Rank: Newbie
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bcgray wrote:libmom wrote:She has applied in all 50 states (where ever there is an opening) . She is thinking of spending money to get help in navigating federal hiring. The big thing is health insurance which she will lose in September and I am more paniced than she is. Any advice? Her concentration in library school was reference.
Please don't be negative about me asking! She doesn't even know I am posting! Is she getting interviews? If she has really applied as much as you are suggesting, she should be getting interviews. If not, I would question her approach to job hunting and see if improvements can be made. If she is spending the time on customizing every resume and cover letter as some that are getting hired, it should be hard to put out high numbers of applications. The level of customization needed to make the top of the resume pile in a HR office or on the library director's desk should cause a job hunter to be more selective.
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Rank: Newbie
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She has received some interviews, but if you read the Q&A section in the ALA about careers you will find that even as early as the late 1990's people were finding it difficult to land jobs. She is competing with those who have a lot of experience. I find some of the remarks made here and on some other sites to blame the job seeker. She has spoken to paralegal programs who are now having difficulty placing people. At her alma mater other graduates are having the same difficulty. There is no shortage and the sooner people find this out the better.
I have contacted a friend who is a librarian in Ohio and she has even contacted a library director in that state - same verdict slim pickin' and they know of no jobs in their systems.
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Your daughter needs to face economic reality. Jobs in most fields, and, in most parts of the U.S. are scarce. Library budgets are hard hit and I doubt there will be recovery soon. Library skills, however, are transferable to various occupations. If your daughter has basic tech and clerical skills, additional library experience can enhance prospects. If she lacks certain office skills (alpha/numeric filing, MS Word, Excel, etc.) then your daughter should take some courses. A corporate job will pay the bills, give her work experience and demostrate flexibility. When economic conditions improve, your daughter will be better prepared to resume a library career, maybe as a manager or director!
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Rank: Advanced Member
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libmom wrote:She has received some interviews, but if you read the Q&A section in the ALA about careers you will find that even as early as the late 1990's people were finding it difficult to land jobs. She is competing with those who have a lot of experience. I find some of the remarks made here and on some other sites to blame the job seeker. She has spoken to paralegal programs who are now having difficulty placing people. At her alma mater other graduates are having the same difficulty. There is no shortage and the sooner people find this out the better.
I have contacted a friend who is a librarian in Ohio and she has even contacted a library director in that state - same verdict slim pickin' and they know of no jobs in their systems. I also read articles about hiring successes. Every job, institution, and person is unique and I would not make decisions or live my life based on those stories specifically. Asking questions about her experiences to provide better advice is not "blaming the job seeker".
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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