The evidence strongly suggests that new librarians are neither sought nor considered for even entry-level librarian positions. The evidence also suggests that the jobs that new professionals need to gain vital experience are the very jobs being cut or greatly reduced. This population is being squeezed from both sides. They cannot find viable jobs to apply for nor can they get hired when they do apply. The threat to librarianship is clear: many qualified individuals will abandon the profession if the situation does not improve.
While there is an intense, ongoing campaign to recruit new MLS students, there is no concerted effort to hire them once they've graduated. It is unreasonable to invite an influx of new colleagues into the profession without making room for them. It is unfortunate that those entering the profession are being told that there is a current shortage of library workers, since this is not entirely true. Schools recruit an excess of people into MLS programs. While some who are recruited will fail to finish their degrees and others are already working in libraries, there will be a large number who would make excellent librarians given the right opportunities. They reach the job market and discover there are far fewer options than they had anticipated; they conduct lengthy job searches, settle for underemployment in paraprofessional or part-time positions, or, if they're fortunate, find a professional position. Some of them move to nonlibrarian work that pays better and carries more authority and prestige.
On the one hand, I am somewhat pleased to find that the failure on my part to attain proper employment in my chosen profession is not a phenomenom limited to myself; on the other, I am livid that I just took out $20,000 in loans to get a degree that, as it turns out, might not be a long-term viable career after all. I do not want a part-time position, and if I had a second degree, chances are that I would have a more lucrative career, and would not deign to be a librarian in the first place.
Via The BadAss Librarian.
In related news, I sent out ten resumes yesterday. They may never hire me, but I'll be damned if I don't choke their In Boxes with paper before I resign myself to abject paupery.
Song: Emiliana Torrini, "Unemployed in Summertime".
1 comment:
Choke the bastards. That's what i say. Outside of the Holy MBA degree (enter singing angels here), I think a lot of disciplines are having this problem right now.
My MA school had/has lousy career services to boot. Oh, the things you find out AFTER you work your ass off and pay 20k+ for the honor of doing so......
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