Monday, February 13, 2012

Dream Job

Okay, third on my dream job list.

1)  Author
2)  Humane Educator
3)  Library Clerk

Although, when I was a little girl, #3 was actually #1.  If my love of writing hadn't overrode my love of reading, I would probably be a Librarian (and don't think I'm not envious of my friends who ARE Librarians).  I spent hours in our local library.  My mom would drag me out kicking and screaming.  Well, protesting.  I would be protesting loudly despite the arm load of books.  I love libraries.  Any library.  But I digress...back to the job...

A girl needs cash.  So she gets a part-time job.  Because non-profit does not pay bills.  It doesn't even pay for hair color or clothes.  But it does fill the part of me that wants to give back so I continue to do it.  I'm blessed that my husband makes enough that I don't have to work.  I feel bad, though, taking "his" money to do things like shop (for fun stuff) or visit friends (plane tickets can cost $$) or even simple girl things like get my hair did or get my mani/pedi on. 

Opening:  Library Clerk

My heart stopped for a second.

I had to read that again.

Really?  Work with the public surrounded by the books that I love?

Resume submitted.

Can I just tell you how hard it is to get a job at the library?  One job opening, over 200 applicants.  We all had to take a written test that narrowed us down to the top ten.  I was lucky enough to make the top ten!  We moved on to the oral interview.

I ranked 4 out of 10.

Boo.  No hire.

BUT it's the city and they keep your resume on file for a year. 

Three more clerk positions opened up.

The top nine were called back in to interview again.

I was 2nd! 

I am now an official Library Clerk for five hours a week.

My part-time is really part-time.  But it's good time!  And it's FUN time!

I can't tell you how many times I've heard in the last three weeks "You're new!  You got one of the coveted positions!" 

I did.  I LOVE it!  Checking patrons out, I get to see books that I haven't heard of.  Speaking with them, I'm getting some great recommendations.  It's turned out to very inspirational in addition to being a lot of fun.

What about you - what is your dream job?  Are you living the dream?

7 comments:

  1. I have a temporary (one year) part-time job doing clerical stuff for the moneys, but I need to figure out what career I'd like, even if that's working for myself (doing what, Self?). Like you, I'd love to work in a library -- my local one knows me by sight -- but they usually want someone with experience: hello, catch 22, I can't get experience unless you hire me.

    And you know I'd totally be checking out what people are reading and trying to make friends with people with similar tastes.

    Glad the library work is going well, Jennie B.!

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  2. Congrats on the job! I wanted to be a librarian and I applied for a job in several libraries, but they say I'm not qualified. You need a collage degree to work in a library, and this idiot went to work after high school. A stupid decision I now regret.

    Anyway, on to the dream job. In a way, I am living my dream. I've wanted to be an author ever since my late teens, and now I'm proud to say that I have two pieces published and two more under contract, one under submission, and one in rewrite mode. Sure, my dream job doesn't pay much, but I'm still vary happy with it. And hey, eventually, I will make enough money to survive on my royalties alone. I talk to several e-pubbed authors who have been publishing for a few years now, and many are now leaving those dreaded day jobs as they make enough off book sales alone.

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  3. YEAY!! I'm so glad you're happy with it. It really does sound like an awesome job! Jealous!

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  4. Congratulations! That is really awesome, Jennie.
    And my wife wouldn't feel guilty at all taking my money.

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  5. oh, hooray! And super-congrats! You're doing everything on your list now! That's fantastic. I always loved the smell of the library. All those old pages... still do!

    Have a wonderful time~ :o) <3

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  6. So exciting! I absolutely love libraries--congrats on getting that coveted spot!

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  7. CONGRATS! I'd love a job like that. I mean, it almost couldn't get any better. Woo! Enjoy.

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