Does your job define you?

[diamondringlover]

I work to live, I hate my job, but this late in my life its just too hard to try to change it, I just keep counting down the days till retirement.

 

[rubybeth]

I really love my job and I think it's very interesting and fun, but when I tell others what I do, I think it does tend to define me for them. I'm a library administrator. I have my MLIS but I'm not technically a librarian. I think that when people hear the words "library" and "administrator" they think I'm probably the most boring, introverted person in the whole universe. But that's not true at all! I am more extroverted and I loved it when I worked in a public service position at the library. Now I'm responsible for programming and grant funding, both of which are very fun aspects of the library world--who doesn't love having money to spend on fun things like art workshops for kids and special events?

I'm a little sad lately because I feel like I've lost touch with my friends with whom I used to work closely in circulation, but now I'm "one of them," i.e. "upstairs" and "part of the machine." I've heard some interesting comments from friends about the people I now work alongside--other administrators. To others, if you work in admin, you're not really human.

 

[Tanzigrrl]

Quick hijack: Rubybeth, I'm a librarian, too. I just finished my MLIS degree but have been working as a librarian for over 10 years (I had a regular MA in the humanities, to begin with). I would love to get into administration! I have been a "director" of sorts in my current position so I develop a "plan of action" for a digital library, oversee a staff, create a budget, and apply for grants. I struck out on the job market last spring, though - I was hoping for a shiny new job to go with my shiny new degree but no such luck this time around.

 

[rubybeth]

Tanzigrrl, I love being in administration and having a lot of autonomy and being self-directed. The job market for library jobs is always going to be tough. I thank my lucky stars every day for my promotion. Just keep applying for jobs and eventually you'll end up where you're supposed to be. Good luck!

 

[Tanzigrrl]

Thanks Rubybeth! I'll try again this spring. It seems most academic library jobs post around that time. I'm lucky to have a nice job now, it's just that it's definitely time for me to move on, personally. I will take your advice and keep on applying. I did get an interview the last time around - though the position went to someone who had been working in that particular library for 12 years. Lol, seems there is often an inside candidate for these jobs.

 

[rosetta]

Work to live.

I'm a diamond thief at heart.

Uh, I mean diamond BUYER. Yeah, buyer.

 

[lliang_chi]

Definitely do not think my job defines me. I feel that my career is an aspect of my life, but it's not my whole life. That's kinda my opinion of career (as in the act of working) as a whole, not just my job....

A few years ago, my SIL spoke to me about being conflicted about starting a family, stating that her career would take a big hit. My impression is that she uses it as a definition of self, so if it takes a hit, her "self" is, too.

When DH and I discussed starting a family (we'll be TTC this year), I wasn't as conflicted. I think mostly because my opinion is "Yes, I have a job that I like, but that's not everything about me." I just don't weight my work as heavily as others might weight theirs. Will that mean I won't climb as high as other people who do? Maybe, but I don't measure my life on what title I have on my business card, KWIM? To each their own