Having 'lurked' for some time in this list. I now feel moved and brave
enough to add my views on the current discussion which does appear a bit
depressing - in fact some people seem to be really angry about the whole
profession. I, too, graduated as a mature 40+ with a first in ILS and so far
I haven't encountered any problems with getting a job - maybe I've just been
lucky. I am in my third post now as an Information Officer not really doing
any "library" work but using information skills gained from my degree. My
previous post was as a school librarian and was really tough but I gained
from the experience. I am not in the South East but in the East Midlands
and my present post wasn't actually advertised in the LA Record but in the
Guardian. Other Information Officers in my team are not necessarily LIS
qualified and the library officers aren't either, although have years of
library experience. Of the people I know who graduated from my course, all
have jobs in different LIS sectors and seem to be doing okay. I won't get
paid any more money from chartering but feel it is really important to keep
up with current issues and evaluate what you have learnt - you never know
when you need this for any future job and when updating your CV. However, I
do think that some of the salaries for posts advertised in Appointments are
appalling when you look at what is required.
Angie Edmunds
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