So you want to be a librarian...

It's clearly been too long since I had to write an essay. Sometime between the last blog post and now I decided that what I'd really like to do is go to graduate school for Library and Information Sciences. I researched ALA accredited schools and found out that the number one ranked program in the country is right here at U of I. So now we start the process of applying. I need the general application, my resume, a personal statement, and an interview/career essay. Tack on to that three letters of recommendation and a February 15th deadline and I'm already agonizing. I decided the best thing I could do was write my personal statement.

Fuck.
Seriously?
Why is this so hard?

I wrote this florid, wordy, stupid sounding two-page statement. And I hated it. So I sent it to my mom in hopes that she would find something redeeming in it (because mom's are awesome at that). Instead she (very gently) told me that she hated it. And now I don't know what to do. This essay as to be 1-2 pages and I could sum it all up in three sentences:
I want to be a librarian because it is important to me that all people have access to information. With a degree in Library and Information Sciences I can help make more resources accessible. I think that this degree will help me to find a fulfilling career in the information field.

And that's it. So how do I draw that out into a full page without falling into that wordy, stupid trap? Maybe another list is in order? Skills and experiences I have that make me a good fit for becoming a librarian:

• I love books (I'm not allowed to include this one in the essay)
• I was at my library so often as a teen that EVERYONE who worked there knew me on sight if not knew my name
• I always want to know the answers
• I am good at customer service
• I want to share information
• I am early to adopt and learn about new technology
• I adapt well to change
• Strong written and oral communication skills 
• I always have a recommendation for people

Maybe if I approach this like I'm writing a cover letter instead of a personal statement that will help. I have time and I just need to step back and take a breath. 

The first step is...

In an unscientific poll, I asked my coworkers and friends if their parents had told them they could be whatever they wanted to be when they grew up. Overwhelmingly the answer was yes. But what our parents failed to share was that we were going to have to hustle to do it. That we would have to work hard. That we should have done 4 years of interning alongside our 4 years of college because any job you want to have either requires a lot of connections (thanks mom and dad) or 5+ years experience.

Cut to--me in the back corner cubicle of a call center. All I have 5+ years experience in is customer service and that doesn't even get me bumped up to "Team Lead" at this company. Here I am--four years removed from college graduation and my life is changing. I'm moving back in with my parents. Correction: My husband and I are moving back in with my parents. He's been out of work for 2.5 years. I've been schlepping it in call centers for 4 years. I hate my job lately. Love my coworkers (a set of girls who sometimes on a quiet Thursday afternoon will spend 30 minutes chain emailing call center memes), but this job... I won't even get into it here.

So now I'm trying to figure out what I want to do so I can start hustling.

Job ideas I have entertained recently:

• Graphic Designer
• Editor/Proofreader
• Audio Engineer
• DJ/On-Air Radio Talent
• Starting a Bakery out of my (mom's) home
• Photographer
• Working in a museum
• Writer
• Librarian (this one has always been a dream of mine)

Not sure. I've been waiting for a sign and yet the only sign I've had is a dream in which I divined from the universe that I was supposed to go become an onion farmer in Walla Walla, Washington. I'm hoping maybe writing everything out will help me sort through everything. Too much stress, too many thoughts, too much apathy. So let's start going through some ideas.

My skills: Baking, Photography, Creative, Problem-Solver,  Likes a Challenge or Puzzle, Self-motivated, Likes Research, Excellent Written and Verbal Communication Skills, Multi-tasking, Calm Under Pressure, Organized, Patient, Good at Party Games, Team Player, Flexible, Adobe Photoshop (A), Adobe Lightroom (A), Adobe Illustrator (B), Adobe Audition (A), Adobe InDesign (A), Microsoft Office Suite (E)

To learn: HTML, Coding, Review Photoshop/Illustrator, Cooking classes [knife skills, additional pastry classes].

To do: Pack apartment (start packing the kitchen!!)

Maintaining my sanity today: 5 days until both the new Robert Galbraith and Welcome to Night Vale books. Ira (my ipod) softly playing podcasts in the background.

Special thanks to Broad City for the blog title.