Today is the launch of Armchair BEA for those of us who can’t travel to the Book Expo America in New York City.
Today’s topic is about moving beyond the blog in terms of freelancing, monetising etc. None of those apply to me exactly but what the blog has encouraged me to consider is going back to school to earn a diploma in library studies.
When I finished high school I wanted to study to become a librarian but the only place the course was available was out of state. Instead I chose to do a Bachelor of Teaching degree and taught young children for 8 years until (technically) becoming a stay at home mum when my third child was born. I have always worked part time though – I teach photography and photo-editing to adults in regular courses and I design and sell digital scrapbooking products online as well as doing freelance graphic design work sporadically. When my youngest child started school last year I had to start thinking about going back to work full time sooner rather than later and to be honest, going back to teaching children is not something I want to do.
The blog has confirmed that my original career goal is what I want. I have had to adjust my dream slightly. I can’t afford to go back to university to do a second degree, and once again distance makes it impossible anyway but TAFE (college) does offer a one year online course for a certificate in library studies. It’s expensive at $2200 which is an issue, and next year my oldest daughter is in her final HSC year at school which will require my support, so I am aiming to study in 2014. After I gain my certificate in library studies, I will then aim for the diploma (for which the certificate is a prerequisite), which is a two year course, hoping to work in my local library.
So that is me, moving beyond the blog… but hopefully not leaving it behind.
Book’d Out 
Good luck with your goal. You’d make a good librarian, you have the knowledge
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I think that’s a great plan, and I hope you get to become the librarian you’ve always wanted to be!
Happy ABEA!
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My “dream” of becoming a librarian ended when found out the requirements and the cost, could not stand the thought of going back to school once I finally graduated HS!
However here is to your dream actually becoming real, it is a perfect “fit” for you.
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You should follow your dreams, that’s obvious. I wanted to be a writer and I am. Well, no. I wrote a book (last year) which isn’t any good. Not being self-depreciative, but really, it’s not a proper story. It was fun to write, though.
I hope your dream will come true! It sounds like you have it planned out quite realistically so there’s no reason it shouldn’t work out.
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WOW! I think that is awesome that blogging inspired you to be a librarian! I think that would be an amazing job and what a goal. Good Luck! 🙂
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That’s so fantastic that you have a plan and that the blog has helped you figure out some goals. Yay 🙂
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That is a great plan. Never give up on your dreams! I am also trying to figure out what the heck to do with my life–one that doesn’t involve retail. I love my books, though, and haven’t figured out how to make a living talking about them all the time without actually working in a bookstore 🙂
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That sounds like a great plan. Good luck
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How wonderful to be a librarian. The ones who truly care about it have such a powerful impact in readers’ lives, especially the young ones. I can well remember far too many crabby ones, and if I didn’t already carry a love of reading they certainly would have talked me out of it!
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You have a dream/goal and a plan to get there – that’s over half the battle. Two years time will pass quickly. Next year will be so much fun with your daughter!
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You are going to make a fantastic librarian! All the best with your studies – it will be worth the wait. Good luck!
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Sounds awesome- great plan. It’s a shame that in America you need certificates to work in libraries/ school libraries, because in the UK you don’t need that, you just have to start off at the bottom and train as you go along. I think your ultimate goal is brilliant and I’m sure you’ll get there and love the job! x
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You go, girl!!!
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It is always difficult to know exactly what you want but not be sure how and/or if you will be able to get it. I wish you the best in getting your MLS and the best for your family!
Leila | The Fiction Pixie
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I agree. Blogging has definitely brought me back to my first love: writing. You have a great plan…all the best!
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Good luck with your goal! I love that blogging made you realise it. 😀
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good luck with getting there! It will be worth it in the end!
Chelle
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I hope you become a very happy librarian.
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