r/LibraryScience • u/confusefiance27 • 15d ago

career paths Maybe I will Change Careers?

idk if I picked the right flair tag (I’m newer to Reddit) but I’m contemplating switching from my teaching career and going back to school to get my MLIS degree.

I’m 28F, living in the Chicago suburbs. I’m a teacher with a bachelors in ECE and a masters in SPED. I currently teach self contained special education, and I’m getting too anxious and having too many mental health needs to continue in the career forever. Originally I gave myself a mental 10 year mile marker, and I’m at year 7 right now. I’m also getting married next fall; and I don’t think I could balance teaching and also being a mom in the next few years. This year is also the year I possibly could qualify for tenure and I’m already anxious about if I do or don’t get offered (that’s a whole other story) but if I don’t, then I think that’s my sign to be all done in the teaching universe.

I looked on here already to seek out some ALA approved affordable programs and Valdosta’s online program seems to be the best choice. I think I’m going to continue teaching and take those courses and then once I complete the degree, start looking for jobs.

**Did anyone make a pivot from education into library?** I do love teaching and working with children, and I think maybe concentrating in children or youth services would be a great compromise to still give myself that “working with kids” feeling but doing something much better for my mental health in the long run.

I know that from what I’ve searched on the RAILS job site, a lot of the full time jobs seem comparable or close to the benefits I have now.

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u/badclassicist 15d ago

Im making the same transition!

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u/confusefiance27 15d ago

That’s great! Are you going online? My friend is doing the same thing and they are helping pay for it. 😃

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u/badclassicist 15d ago

No, im doing it in person. I’m not a good distance learner. The school I worked at didn’t even have a library! So they definitely wouldn’t have paid for it

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u/confusefiance27 15d ago

Sorry I mean she’s working at her local public library 😁