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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/7/2008
Posts: 2
Points: 6
Location: Massachussetts
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I am finishing up my MLS degree at Drexel in June. I really enjoy my current library position with the employer I have now, and eventually I'll have the opportunity for promotion, however, this will not happen for about two to three years (retirement). Should I look for a professional position in the mean time and apply for this job when it eventually does open up? Or should I stay in my current position? I have mixed feelings about this.
On one hand this would show great loyalty to the organization, and I would have the opportunity to grow more in the same environment and hopefully be more well rounded if the job were to open up. On the other hand, of course I'm not guaranteed the job, so I could end up staying in a position for two long when I could have been moving forward somewhere else. There are a lot of decisions that are going to be coming up. Any advice?
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 1/4/2008
Posts: 34
Points: 102
Location: Las Vegas, NV
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I would look for another position. I'm not saying you have to take a new position, but looking never hurt. If you see something new that sounds great, then I say you should apply for it. Like you said, you're not guaranteed that job where you work now, and it would be absolutely awful to not get it and feel as though you wasted a couple of years of your life. Even if you look around and decide to stay where you are; at least you looked and decided you were best off where you are now.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 348
Points: 922
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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You should be looking. The organization may not have the same plans as you.
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
Groups: Member
, Negotiation - Moderator
Joined: 1/31/2008
Posts: 61
Points: 189
Location: Oregon
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Also, even if you think this is a great organization, two to three years experience working elsewhere in a professional position might prepare you better for a triumphant return than sticking out in (presumably) paraprofessional job. I'm currently in the process of applying for a job in a system where I worked during library school, which I left because there was not room for advancement after I completed my MLIS. Now, I'm heading back with two years full time professional experience, and a renewed appreciation of how well-managed & generally great that system is.
Another thing to consider is that nobody's retirement is a sure thing until it's official. Especially in the current economic situation, I think more people are retiring later.
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/7/2008
Posts: 2
Points: 6
Location: Massachussetts
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Thank you so much for all the input! I didn't expect a response so quickly!!
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 348
Points: 922
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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Good supervisors will even give you a friendly push to move on to other opportunities, especially if no promotion is available. This was my situation. I left my original organization on very good terms, and if I ever wanted to go back I know the opportunity exists.
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
Groups: Jumpstart - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 11/18/2007
Posts: 73
Points: -69
Location: Wisconsin
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Don't count your chickens before they hatch, and do not limit your professional opportunities. Apply for the jobs you have a desire and an interest in applying for.
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