So why am I here? I'm perfectly happy doing what I am doing. I suppose that nothing stays the same forever and I have been considering this post grad for several years... Possibly it is a good thing that I have waited until now, precisely because there is so much change in the world of communication, media and information. Certainly I have been seeking a lifestyle that is not reliant on the city, but my career has been built in the events industry. Beyond party hire there isn't a great amount of opportunities available
I have had a passion for communications, media and the arts all my adult life. This commenced with music and a media arts degree which was highly unacademic and hands on (it was so much fun), progressed into the events industry, led to an inventory management and procurement role, and then progressed to the business systems representative job that I currently am doing (in between the business and IT).
I want a life that is not tied to the city, and a career that is not beholden to share holders. It seems that this is leading me in the direction of public libraries, but I have no real idea what such a workplace actually is. Certainly I enjoy borrowing from my local library resource and my son is an avid reader and is generally very eager to go to the library. I can see that I can merge everything that I have done before into this new career..
Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteIve left the corporate advertising world for a calmer, less stressful life. Im doing this course FT and I like the idea of being my own boss in a sense.
When I return to FT work (in a library) I will undoubtedly work hard and with it will be its own stresses, but I know I will be happier.
Sounds like you are happier too :)
Certainly you will find a less stressed work environment in public libraries if that's what you're seeking Martin and Susannah.
ReplyDeleteInstead of serving anonymous share holders you will be of service to your community, indeed hard work at times but very rewarding.
Having said that, as someone working in public libraries I am interested in finding out more about employment options in information management in the private sector, with a view to perhaps cross over to "the dark side" once completing my studies.
But who knows if I will or I won't, really what I am probably seeking at the moment is a more rounded picture of the industry as a whole.
Hopefully working in libraries provides the satisfaction you are looking for Martin.
It is interesting to note that a lot of us in this course are coming to this study to change careers. I too worked in a high stressed field of Industrial Relations, working as an Industrial Organiser/ Officer and I left for the calmer life.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to working in a field that still has a real connection with the community it is based in. Coming from the country I miss that sense community that really is lacking in the city. I look forward to my employment not being so tied to the city as well.
In saying that though, a friend of mine went to his local library out in Sunshine recently and was amazed at all the services this library offers its community. X-Box lounge, job searching facilities, ESL classes as well as the traditional library. The library has become a real social hub for its suburb. So there is a lot to be said about harbouring community in the city as well.