From Classrooms to Libraries

In my post about what it’s like to work in a library, I talked a little bit about my decision to transition from teaching to library work. I thought I’d dedicate a post to talking about why I made my decision and what the transition was like.

So, when I was an undergraduate student, I was a little bit lost and confused about what I wanted to do with my life – as many of us are at that point. The university I attended has a well-established teaching program, and I had always considered becoming an English teacher because English was my strongest subject growing up and I liked the idea of working with young people. I applied to the program almost on a whim and before I knew it, I was on the path to becoming a certified English teacher. I took education courses along with my regular literature courses, I began doing fieldwork, and I eventually made it to the final step: student teaching! Overall, it was a good experience! I had a supportive cooperating teacher and a lovely group of students. I had the pleasure of working with older students, as all of my classes were senior English classes. Just imagine: there I was, a meek 24-year-old, totally out of my element and trying to manage a room full of 17 to 18 year olds. It was a challenge, that’s for sure, and classroom management was not my strong suit, but it ended being a joy in the end! And I had a lot of help along the way!

I graduated with my teaching certificate and began working in schools immediately after. I was a daily substitute in my own high school, then a paraprofessional in a middle school, and then I was thrilled to take over as a long-term substitute at a high school. I taught sophomores and seniors for the final two months of the school year. This time, I was almost completely on my own. There were no other teachers in the classroom, but my colleagues were very helpful outside of the classroom – sharing resources, offering advice, etc. It wasn’t easy and there are so many things looking back that I wish I’d done better or just differently. But, of course, it was a learning experience and I’m glad to have worked with so many wonderful students and colleagues.

The following summer I applied for job after job after job, desperate to find full-time work. I went on a few interviews and was offered a position in a middle school which I accepted immediately. Without going into specifics, this was absolutely the most challenging and stressful period in my professional life. It was a great experience in the sense that I made connections with my colleagues – some of the kindest and most supportive people I’ve ever met! I also learned what my capabilities are as well as my limitations during this time.

All the while, as I was working in schools, it was in the back of my mind that I wanted to give library work a try. As a regular library patron, it was a career that I had been researching for years. I knew that it required a master’s degree, so I didn’t want to jump into anything blindly. I applied for library assistant positions and shortly after began my work in public libraries. And here I am, a little over two years later and nearly finished with my Master’s in Library and Information Science.

Almost immediately upon starting at the library, I knew it was something I wanted to continue doing. I like being around books and I enjoy interacting with patrons and with my colleagues. I love doing story times and I love the dynamic atmosphere of the library I work in. I also appreciate that library work and teaching kind of tie into one another. Libraries are educational but in a much more relaxed sort of way! Our children’s and teen programs, and our readers advisory services, serve an educational purpose but there’s no pressure to pass a test or get a grade.

All in all, I haven’t ruled out going back to teaching in the future but I’m content working in a library right now. My brief little journey from teaching to library work has taught me that sometimes it’s ok to explore different paths without abandoning one or the other.

Have you made any sudden career changes before? If so, what was the transition like for you?