So this winter has been a time of hunkering down and regrouping. While things with the adoption are taking longer and leaving us with out a clear time frame, other parts of our world have kept right on keeping on. It has also become clear to me that in order to stay viable in the job market we all have to keep adding to what we can offer.
With the arts always on the verge of or actually being cut or reduced in quantity/quality it's been clear to me for a long time that if I want greater opportunities for my career as an educator that the arts is not going to provide them. As much as I love teaching art and am always on the lookout for better and new ways to teach it and share my passion for it, it may never provide any stability and security for my career. I plan to keep my professional art educator license up after I graduate though because you never know.
Something that is increasingly important to us is the need to create a stable and secure future for our daughter. So with that in mind I am moving forward with applying to start in the online Masters of Library Science program through the University of Tennessee (UT). The online program means no commute to school and therefore less time away from baby. I've been researching library science programs for a long time and have been interested in being a librarian for over 15 years. This is a 42 credit hour program and allows me to add a school librarian certification to my program.
I will be able to work full time when our girl goes off to school and still have hours that match hers so I can be there for her after school and hopefully she will go to the same school that I work at. I can also work in academic libraries, art libraries, and businesses. I may only take one class this fall. I may need to defer until the spring if we find out we will be traveling in the fall. It is 3 or 4 years of study as a part time student so regardless it is time to get moving.
This is a big decision and one that we have put lots of time and thinking into. Send us your best wishes when you get a chance.
1 comment:
Lisa,
I am so happy to hear about your career choice! Libraries offer a great opportunity and mixing it with an art and education background just means that your library will be extra special and successful. We are also waiting with bated breath in WV for your new baby. Hang in there!
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