I probably have nothing deep or thought-provoking to say today. It’s lovely out here, on the Mall or the Cut–whatever CMU calls the area between the UC and Purnell–and the drama students are providing me with immense entertainment. I like this almost autumn-like weather; my energy level is highest at this time of year, when it isn’t yet dark most of the time but the air is cool enough that it’s pleasant to wear long sleeves. (I’m looking into job opportunities in Seattle and Vancouver when I get out of here.)
I’m behind on all the things I want and need to get done, but I’m also getting used to that and becoming a lot more Zen/it-will-get-done-somehow on the whole thing. Maybe this is finally my chance to take the laid back approach to schooling that I wish I’d taken as an engineer: maybe I will finally learn to chill out and enjoy the learning process, instead of constantly worrying about having the very highest of grades, at the expense of sanity, health, and a life outside of school and work. (Am I where I am in life because I worked so perfectionistically, as if that were a word, in my previous education? In a manner of speaking, yes. But maybe if I’d slowed down and chilled out, I would still have found this path, or an equally rewarding and socially productive one.)
Out of curiosity, readers, would you say it might be an interesting and useful thing to do, if I were to go to another country and teach English for most of a year, after graduation? My logic is, at its core, “internationalization! and teaching experience!” (I’m deathly afraid of groups of more than ten people. I hate giving presentations. I love one-on-one teaching and fear the classroom. And academic libraries are all about the teaching.) I’m considering it. It would also give Dale more time to really dig into the work he’s doing for his current job, you know? But perhaps taking a year to do something more or less entirely unrelated to libraries isn’t the right choice, right now.
Anyway, I guess I should eat some of the lunch I bought. I work 2-5 this afternoon and then may retire to a coffee-serving establishment for some quality writing time. I hope the weather’s still as pretty when I get out of the library.
Hi Coral, just stumbled over from Jessamyn’s.As I’m a very recent (summer) LIS graduate, please take this with a grain of salt, but my take is that teaching experience is a Very Good Thing to have. First because it will make you more comfortable in group presentation-type situations, which includes interviews. Second, because, as you say, academic libraries are big on the instruction and having any teaching experience on the resume seems to make folks’ eyes light up. (My own is ten years in the past at this point, but they still like seeing it there.)If you aren’t sure about making a long commitment for overseas work, look into your university’s summer camps. Upward Bound is usually a month long, but larger schools usually have tons of week-long residential camps. Or check out the continuing/community education program. If they don’t have a class in homebrewing, setting up a home wireless network, or whatever, offer to teach one. Lots of ways to get experience!Best wishes.
Hey, Kirsten, thanks for the advice!I decided against doing the year abroad right now. I had to think long and hard, but it just isn’t the right move, at this point. I like your summer camp idea. Unfortunately, Pitt has kind of a weird program, where summer counts as an actual term. (That’s how they cram 36 credits into “one year.”) So unless I can find something in late August–certainly a possibility–I’m kind of stuck here through the summer. I’m going to look into that, though; it sounds fun.Also, I’ve started talking to my bosses (fun thing about being an intern/Information Assistant: everyone is your boss :)) about getting instructional experience. They seem enthusiastic. I imagine, between that and the instruction class, I should do OK. Of course, the instruction class happens after most of the job interviews…
That’s ok–go ahead and mention in your cover letter that you *will be* getting instruction experience (assuming it applies to the job). I’ve done that before and it worked just fine.