I'm one of the lucky people actually using my degree (geography). OK, I didn't for the first six years after I graduated, but it helped me get my current job, as the subjects I work with include geography and earth sciences. I didn't intend to become a librarian when I applied to university, and I haven't met many people who did. Isn't the point that by getting a degree (whatever the subject) you've shown a certain level of intelligence and will have picked up transferrable skills, such as self-management, computer skills, research skills etc. Very few of the people I know actually use the subject aspect of their degree in their work, apart from teachers, researchers, academics and those in law or medicine.
Personally I don't think it's realistic to compare librarianship to medicine, but I do think it should be considered on the same level as teaching. And teachers are facing many of the same issues as us, although fortunately for us librarianship hasn't been made a political issue!
Debra
Debra Mallett
Science Liaison Librarian
Room G9, Main Library
Learning & Research Support
Information Services
University of Birmingham
EDGBASTON
Birmingham
B15 2TT
Email: [log in to unmask]
Phone: (0121) 414 7573
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