Master's Degree

[Shining Star]

...so I've realized for awhile now that right off the bat I won't be able to live off my art and writing right away, and I'm graduating school in two years with a bachelor's degree in studio art and a minor in english.

I started panicing realizing that I don't have any sort of plan except for the fact that I want to go to a publishing institute right after I gradute, so I know how to publish my own novels and poetry for marketing. But, I realize that's still not enough because I need to make money to pay off loans, and I need some sort of job that would not take away from my creativity that also has stabilty with good pay.

...And then it hit me..I've been working at my campus library for two years now, my dad knows alot about libraries and how they work becuase he works on the library board in my hometown, and libraries in general have been a huge part of my life.

Solution: I should get a master's degree in library sciences and become a librarian! The problem: I don't know a thing about this, anybody have any advice or ideas? I know some of the basics about getting your masters and I know I still have two whole years but time moves fast and I might not have the fine details worked out just yet, but it would be nice to have a general plan set up instead of nothing.

Better yet, does anybody think this is a bad idea, or have better suggestions on what I should do?

[Tailtiu]

A Masters never hurt anyone...My advice would be to look into getting a library job out of college and seeing what they'll do to help you, if anything, on the road to a Masters.

[Athos]

...so I've realized for awhile now that right off the bat I won't be able to live off my art and writing right away, and I'm graduating school in two years with a bachelor's degree in studio art and a minor in english.

I started panicing realizing that I don't have any sort of plan except for the fact that I want to go to a publishing institute right after I gradute, so I know how to publish my own novels and poetry for marketing. But, I realize that's still not enough because I need to make money to pay off loans, and I need some sort of job that would not take away from my creativity that also has stabilty with good pay.

...And then it hit me..I've been working at my campus library for two years now, my dad knows alot about libraries and how they work becuase he works on the library board in my hometown, and libraries in general have been a huge part of my life.

Solution: I should get a master's degree in library sciences and become a librarian! The problem: I don't know a thing about this, anybody have any advice or ideas? I know some of the basics about getting your masters and I know I still have two whole years but time moves fast and I might not have the fine details worked out just yet, but it would be nice to have a general plan set up instead of nothing.

Better yet, does anybody think this is a bad idea, or have better suggestions on what I should do?

Before rushing into things, it's best to do the research...According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook that is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the forecast for the job market is "is expected to be as fast as the average and job opportunities are expected to be favorable, as a large number of librarians are likely to retire in the coming decade. Employment of librarians is expected to grow by 8 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth in the number of librarians will be limited by government budget constraints and the increasing use of electronic resources. Both will result in the hiring of fewer librarians and the replacement of librarians with less costly library technicians and assistants."

This would be the only problem I would see. Some public libraries have closed (Ray Bradbury has been protesting them) due to budget constraints and it's too early to tell. Plus, if you have loans to pay off, it may be difficult with their salary.

According to the latest data:

The median of librarians earn $25.82 (hourly) and their annual earnings $53,710.
Personally, I don't see the point in getting a job in which your liabilities outweigh the assets.
(BTW, interesting statistic, the average undergrad will graduate in $23,000 in debt)

EDIT: Yesterday's Wall Street Journal ran a personal piece on the expected fields to booming. Nanotechnology is going to be booming (by 2018) as well as engineering. The mentioned the BLS' OOH has good forecasting, but the 2 caveats is that they don't figure recessions and something else.

[Shining Star]

...so I've realized for awhile now that right off the bat I won't be able to live off my art and writing right away, and I'm graduating school in two years with a bachelor's degree in studio art and a minor in english.

I started panicing realizing that I don't have any sort of plan except for the fact that I want to go to a publishing institute right after I gradute, so I know how to publish my own novels and poetry for marketing. But, I realize that's still not enough because I need to make money to pay off loans, and I need some sort of job that would not take away from my creativity that also has stabilty with good pay.

...And then it hit me..I've been working at my campus library for two years now, my dad knows alot about libraries and how they work becuase he works on the library board in my hometown, and libraries in general have been a huge part of my life.

Solution: I should get a master's degree in library sciences and become a librarian! The problem: I don't know a thing about this, anybody have any advice or ideas? I know some of the basics about getting your masters and I know I still have two whole years but time moves fast and I might not have the fine details worked out just yet, but it would be nice to have a general plan set up instead of nothing.

Better yet, does anybody think this is a bad idea, or have better suggestions on what I should do?

Before rushing into things, it's best to do the research...According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook that is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the forecast for the job market is "is expected to be as fast as the average and job opportunities are expected to be favorable, as a large number of librarians are likely to retire in the coming decade. Employment of librarians is expected to grow by 8 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth in the number of librarians will be limited by government budget constraints and the increasing use of electronic resources. Both will result in the hiring of fewer librarians and the replacement of librarians with less costly library technicians and assistants."

This would be the only problem I would see. Some public libraries have closed (Ray Bradbury has been protesting them) due to budget constraints and it's too early to tell. Plus, if you have loans to pay off, it may be difficult with their salary.

According to the latest data:

The median of librarians earn $25.82 (hourly) and their annual earnings $53,710.
Personally, I don't see the point in getting a job in which your liabilities outweigh the assets.
(BTW, interesting statistic, the average undergrad will graduate in $23,000 in debt)

EDIT: Yesterday's Wall Street Journal ran a personal piece on the expected fields to booming. Nanotechnology is going to be booming (by 2018) as well as engineering. The mentioned the BLS' OOH has good forecasting, but the 2 caveats is that they don't figure recessions and something else.

Wow, I'm speechless by all the info you gave me, but I appreciate it. I need your help though in clarifying some of what you said. So if we could talk sometime that would be great, becuase this is important to me.

To start off...what did you mean by this? :Personally, I don't see the point in getting a job in which your liabilities outweigh the assets.

If you can explain what you mean that would be great. Thanks.
Like why do you think it's not a good choice?

And do you have the same cellphone number? I tried texting you after I read this but it's been awhile. For some reason, I thought you left, but now I realize you're still here which makes me happy.

[Athos]

Yes I have the same number, however I seem to have misplaced my cell. And yes, I'm still here. I just don't post much unless I find something that attracts my interests.

[Kitty]

meow?

[Mai]

its funny how amidst such a good coversation, there will always be some disturbance in the quality of it.


meow.

[Shining Star]

Nah, it's cool Mai. Do you have any advice for me as well?

[Kitty]

I just like to be random sometimes
and besides Amy loves me and knows me.

[Mai]

i think we all can easily attest to the fact that any decision of this degree and nature should be thoroughly considered. that meant to imply a production presumption of pros, of the cons, the benefits and how 'realistic' of a seemingly idealistic opportunity this is.

all in all, a job isnt really a job unless you hate it. not to be too cynical. aim high for the job as a writer. dont even make it a job, amy. keep it as a passion.


when i was faced with the toils and torment of embarking on a career i told myself one very simple thing. i love what i can create and do and im almost certain i would positively impact this world with whatever i do, so what should i do?

thats something you need to ask yourself. and while it may arise more questions than answers, you are at least starting out on the correct path. whatever educational direction you chose to make, be certain that it fulfills all your needs (and accentuates what you really want from life).

if, however, you find that the librarian job isn't on par with your ambitions else where, then keep looking around. life can seem somewhat impending, or even calculating at times, but it doesn't necessarily imply you need to make a decision right away.

the more rational you are with whatever choice you make, i assure you that you will be rewarding yourself in the end by taking the adequate (and allotted) time necessary to figure out what it is you want. nothing is every really THAT important in the end, so take your time and when all is said and done, you might just find that you figured out a portion of the puzzle which is life in its entirety.

have you considered many other options? or is this merely one that accentuates other potential educational/career investments?

[Shining Star]

i think we all can easily attest to the fact that any decision of this degree and nature should be thoroughly considered. that meant to imply a production presumption of pros, of the cons, the benefits and how 'realistic' of a seemingly idealistic opportunity this is.

all in all, a job isnt really a job unless you hate it. not to be too cynical. aim high for the job as a writer. dont even make it a job, amy. keep it as a passion.


when i was faced with the toils and torment of embarking on a career i told myself one very simple thing. i love what i can create and do and im almost certain i would positively impact this world with whatever i do, so what should i do?

thats something you need to ask yourself. and while it may arise more questions than answers, you are at least starting out on the correct path. whatever educational direction you chose to make, be certain that it fulfills all your needs (and accentuates what you really want from life).

if, however, you find that the librarian job isn't on par with your ambitions else where, then keep looking around. life can seem somewhat impending, or even calculating at times, but it doesn't necessarily imply you need to make a decision right away.

the more rational you are with whatever choice you make, i assure you that you will be rewarding yourself in the end by taking the adequate (and allotted) time necessary to figure out what it is you want. nothing is every really THAT important in the end, so take your time and when all is said and done, you might just find that you figured out a portion of the puzzle which is life in its entirety.

have you considered many other options? or is this merely one that accentuates other potential educational/career investments?

Honestly, when it comes down to it I just want to be a writer and an artist but that won't pay my school loans off.

Sigh. I don't know what to do or what sort of career would actually benefit me. Have any suggestions?

Thanks for what you said earlier by the way. I really appreciate the help.

[Athos]

Don't expect to pay off your student loans unless you become the next Stephanie Meyer as a writer.

[Shining Star]

Don't expect to pay off your student loans unless you become the next Stephanie Meyer as a writer.

I'm aware of that...plus Meyer's writing sucks anyway. I don't know what I ever saw in Twilight then again when you're 14 you don't know any better. lol.

Disclaimer: that's my opinion and nobody jump me on it!!!

I had to add that because well I know how crazy some of those fans are...I was a fan but never that crazy.

Anywho, I guess for now I'm sticking to librarian...but if anybody has other suggestions let me know.

Athos, didn't you mention something about an art director? What's that?

[Athos]

From Wikipedia: The term art director is a blanket title for a variety of similar job functions in advertising, publishing, film and television, the Internet, and video games. Various artists may create or develop specific parts of an art piece or scene; but a sole art director unifies the vision. In particular, the art director is in charge of the overall visual appearance and how it communicates visually, stimulates moods, contrasts features, and psychologically appeals to a target audience. The art director makes decisions about visual elements used, what artistic style to use, and when to use motion.

One of the most difficult problems that art directors face is to translate desired moods, messages, concepts, and underdeveloped ideas into imagery. During the brainstorming process, art directors, coworkers, and clients are engaged in imagining what the finished piece or scene might look like. At times, an art director is ultimately responsible for solidifying the vision of the collective imagination while resolving conflicting agendas and inconsistencies between the various individual inputs.

OHH Stats:

Median Hourly Wage: $37.78
Forecast: Employment of artists and related workers is expected to grow 12 percent through 2018, about as fast as the average for all occupations. An increasing reliance on artists to create digital or multimedia artwork will drive growth.

Art directors will see an increase in jobs in advertising due to demand for the overall vision they bring to a project. However, declining opportunities in publishing will hold down job growth. With many magazines moving to an online-only format, art directors are used less in this field.

Demand for illustrators who work on a computer will increase as media companies use more detailed images and backgrounds in their designs. However, illustrators and cartoonists who work in publishing may see job opportunities decline as newspapers continue to cut staffs. Many are instead opting to post their work on political Web sites and online publications. The small number of medical illustrators will also be in greater demand as medical research continues to grow.

Demand for multimedia artists and animators will increase as consumers continue to demand more realistic video games, movie and television special effects, and 3D animated movies. Additional job openings will arise from an increasing need for computer graphics in the growing number of mobile technologies. The demand for animators is also increasing in alternative areas such as scientific research and design services. Some lower priority animation has been offshored, negatively affecting employment of animators.