[calendula]

Hi all,
(this will be long).

I could really use some input and perspectives on my possible plans for the future. Finances really figure into them and will ultimately be the main factor in decisions. But of course there is lifestyle/enjoyment of life in there too.

So, I am a SAHM to 2 kids - 1 is in KG and 1 is an infant under age 1. I am 38 so when my youngest goes to KG I will be 43. My DH is the sole breadwinner. We have a mortgage, 1 car payment (will be paid by end of year). We have a teeny bit going to retirement, and another teeny bit to college plans. My previous career was in publishing and I burned out on that, then decided to have my 2nd child

I live in a small town but with 2 colleges. Highly educated population, liberal, most jobs are in education, health care, or small tech start ups.

I would really like to get an MLIS in library science, so I could be a librarian. I'd like to be part of a bona fide profession (that has national and state orgs, conferences, continued learning). I also want to be able to stay in it till I retire. I also want something my kids would be proud of. (I definitely do NOT want to be a teacher FYI). We do not plan on moving but I am hoping between the large public library system, the school library system and the academic libraries (plus possibly archives, etc.) that I'd be able to find something, and work my way up. I do know the pay won't be great, especially at the beginning but I am also hoping that I could start part-time anyway until my children get older. I think the pay would be around 35K full time to start, maybe 40K. I would expect that to increase after a couple of years to 45K average.

The cost to do do the MLIS which I can do entirely online is in the region of $20-25K. I do not qualify for financial aid so it would all be student loans (except maybe a few K I could pay)

If I didn't do the MLIS the alternative is to get a job doing who knows what, maybe paying more than even with the masters (around 36-40K). I'm thinking something administrative. i do not want tons of responsiblity or to manage tons of people. I've been there done that. But it wouldn't be a dream job. My ideal in this scenario would be to work at a "cool" company, maybe an eco-based company, or a company with a particular ethic, something I could get behind.

Or I could get a part time job, again in an office setting, to give me flexibility with the kids and also run the house. It would pay peanuts I'm sure but it would be something.

Living on a single income is really hard for us. We live month to month. We do have a budget and we have cut back as much as we can. It truly is a sacrifice but I am dedicated to SAHM. We are making it work but again, it's hard although our main bases are covered. It's more a question of the future.

My questions are:
--is it worth going into student debt EVEN to do something I've always wanted to do and I know I am very well suited for. (Would it be setting us back for X years. Will we ever have enough for retirement!)
--I won't make a lot after graduation
-- but once inside the profession I should be able to stay in it long term and have money for retirement...
--but would I be better off just getting a job, even one I am indifferent to, from the financial aspect. Even a part time job at this point would lift us from just making it to having enough over to save well for retirement, and college, maybe (gasp) have a vacation. Mostly it would end the nickel and diming we currently do and the constant worry (I think)
--but I would probably always wonder whether I should have gone to grad school.
-- I feel a massive age/time pressure. It would take 3-4 years to get the MLIS so right when my youngest goes to KG and I'd be looking for a job anyway. If I wait to decide till then I'll be into my 40's. I feel like this is my last chance to make this kind of change otherwise I will have to commit myself to office jobs in an as yet unknown field. NOT saying this is bad, just that I don't know if I'll ever find any job satisfaction that way.

Anyway, I hope this makes sense, or that my dilemmas are clear. I welcome all input good, bad, further questions etc... I will need to apply to the MLIS in June if I am going to start it a year from now.

Many thanks!

 

[mightymoo]

My thought is that $20-25K seems like a lot of debt to get into for a $35-45K/year job. Is there not a cheaper alternative there? If you are doing it all online, you can certainly look at colleges all over to see if there is a cheaper alternative.

Can you work part-time while going to school to offset the cost? If its $25K over 3 years, you could possibly pay for all or at least some of it with a part time job.

I would look really carefully at the job market in your area, start scouting as if you had the MLIS now and was trying to get that job. Go and talk to librarians in the area - see what you can find out. It's a huge debt to take on to find out later that the positions are extremely coveted and difficult to get and you may not be able to work in that field at all without moving.

 

[annethcz]

I agree that working part time now to save money for school is a good idea. Once your youngest is in school, you'd be able to go to school full time without having to pay much in daycare costs.

I know several people who have gone back to school in their 40s and 50s, and many of them are quite happy with the way it went. It can be a lot easier to focus on school when you're not taking care of little ones.

 

[scoob]

Librarian here

: I highly second the PP who suggested going and talking with librarians in your area. Get to know the library staff at both of the colleges and at the public libraries and talk to them about your goals. They'll likely have good advice about the best way to achieve them in your particular area of the country.

I think what you should try to do is get a staff (non-professional) position and work towards your MLS while working at a library. If a staff position isn't in the cards right now, I'd find a place with a well run volunteer group (probably your local public) and volunteer for a couple of hours a week with to get your foot in the door. This does three things: 1. gives you great experience to put on your resume when you get out into the job market 2. could potentially give you access to money or tuition wavers through your workplace for your degree program making it MUCH less expensive 3. gets you connections in the your local library community and the library world which will help immensely in getting a professional job once you're done. Of the 9 professionals we have working here at our library (small academic institution in GA), 3 of them worked their way into MLS positions in exactly this way. One has actually been with us since she was an undergrad student worker back in the 90s. She got a fulltime staff position with us after graduating from college and got her MLS online from Valdosta State; it was completely paid for via a tuition remission program that the University System makes available.

 

[EFmom]

I'm an academic librarian. I love, love, love my job. I do collection development primarily, but also instruction, reference, research and endless committee work. We are tenure track, and getting over the tenure hurdle is a BFD, and quite the undertaking. But it also comes with rewards.

I also think working in a library is a good idea, but beware that the pay for paraprofessional positions is even worse than if you have an MLS. Getting a library job can be tough if you have no geographic mobility,and of course this isn't the best economic climate. So, the networking you would do would be very valuable, as would the experience.

Is there a university within a commutable area with an MLS program or is online your only option? I did my MLS one or two courses a semester, including summers, on the pay as you go model and didn't take on debt.

Also, you may be required to specialize in library school. If you have any interest at all in being a school librarian, you will have to take that track. School librarianship requires (unpaid) internships, certification, and very specialized credits. My dh is a teacher, and at one point he was suggesting that I become a school librarian so that we could both have summers off. I looked into it, and I would basically have to start over with library school because they take very different classes that I did. Specialization is not so much an issue for public and academic librarian positions, although there are courses which would be beneficial to either.

 

[SleeplessMommy]

My big concern is the online program - does it really have the same career outcome as an "in person" program? I would suggest starting with investigating the library field more - can you get a PT job at the library on campus or locally? What do they think of the online program? What are your salary prospects with and without the MLIS degree?

The best case scenario would be to find a PT or eventually FT job with a tuition reimbursement option - even if they will just pay for 1 class a semester that would help you out lots.

 

[HisBeautifulWife]

Sure you should go back to school....when you have the money to pay for it. It might take longer that way but if it is worth it to you then it shouldn't be a problem.

Work a part time job so that you aren't stretching your finances even more; and then pay for what you can. If you can only afford to start with one class, take that one class and save up for the next one.

Or get a job that pays for schooling. Are there scholarships? My dad always said never pay for grad school yourself but you know, that's not always feasible, still I am inclined to agree- or change it up a bit to say not to go into debt for it.

Good luck.

 

[EFmom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SleeplessMommy My big concern is the online program - does it really have the same career outcome as an "in person" program? I

This is a good point.

How the degree is viewed is going to depend on the institution. I'm on many search committees (or used to be before the economy tanked), and I will admit that we generally do not view online degrees in quite the same way we view traditional degrees. Personally, I'd think long and hard before doing the online degree, but library schools aren't extremely common, so there may not be much choice depending on where you live.

 

[Sarah8Jane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SleeplessMommy My big concern is the online program - does it really have the same career outcome as an "in person" program? I would suggest starting with investigating the library field more - can you get a PT job at the library on campus or locally? What do they think of the online program? What are your salary prospects with and without the MLIS degree?

I have looked into doing a distance MLIS. I think that is better than an "online" degree. There isn't an MLIS program in my entire state so most librarians here either get their masters and then move here or they work their way up while earning their degree in a distance program (i.e. University of Washington).

I'd recommend talking to librarians and volunteering at the library now.

 

[lmonter]

Wow, the salaries you're quoting are pretty high, at least to me. Do you live in a higher COL area? My mom has worked in a major state university library since 1987. In 1987 she started at $28K/year. As of last year (over 20 years in the same job! well, technically, but she's doing the work now that 4 people used to do), she was making $36K. Because of budget cuts, layoffs, new football stadiums that need built, etc. So her salary hasn't even kept up with inflation.

And the median house prices in her area are $200K give or take.

I'd go searching for more concrete numbers and whether there are actually any openings in your area. Or whether some folks will be retiring at some point. Otherwise, those student loans will be an albatross that you will detest. And just getting a job at your local library, even if it's doing the barcode thing on the books as people are checking out could be worth it.

Another fun tidbit - unless you're really personable, finding a job is going to be tough. My MIL got her pharmacy degree 3 years ago. It was decades in the making. She finally finished with $100K in student loans. She's on job #3 or #4, and will have no income after May and she's on the hunt for another one. It's just a sucky, sucky situation.

 

[EFmom]

Back when we were hiring at my state university, starting salaries were generally around $48K. We seldom hire new MLS's though, unless they have significant pre-MLS experience and some particular hard-to-find specialty. So that's for somebody with a couple of years experience.

You can get a better idea of general trends at the ALA website http://ala.org/ala/educationcareers/...ries/index.cfm

 

[claddaghmom]

I would not take the student loans. If you can't afford to pull enough out of your budget to make mini payments on school now, you won't make the monthly payments on the student loans.

It sounds as if the amount you rack up will be just under the minimum 30k required to do a special repayment plan too.

Get a job as close to what you are interested in as possible. Get experience. Make friends. Get some money.

When the kids go to school, you go to school.

35-45k sounds exaggerated IMO

 

[enkmom]

My public library has only a few degreed librarians - the director, the cataloger, and the reference librarian. The children's librarian has a degree, but when she retires next month she may be replaced by a long-time staff member. The budget is such that our library can't afford to pay for more professional librarians.

On the other hand, several women have gotten their MLS degrees and been hired to direct tiny libraries in our area. They are paid about $25K and are usually the only staff at the tiny libraries. They also are traveling 30 plus miles one way. There is no stigma attached to online degrees here (they come from the University of Missouri). Salaries are small here, and we are not close to any larger cities, so it is a struggle to attract librarians to our little corner of Illinois. The director of our library has been in the profession for 40 years, and returned to the area because she had friends here. She is paid about 52K per year.

My daughter will probably go to library school, and she is aware that she is never going to get rich. She has a passion for it though, and we think she should pursue what she wants to do, even if the money isn't there. We will help her repay her loans, but if you don't have someone who can help you repay, it may not be worth it to owe more than you are making.

 

[Poddi]

My mom works in a library in Southern California. So very expensive place to live, and she's only paid 40k a year. That said she thinks it's the best for her. It's not very stressful for old ladies, the hours are flexible. It has excellent benefits for her and dad, including vision, dental and drugs. I know in US that's very important, especially for seniors. It also has pension. My mom is very healthy and expects to live until 90+, she thinks the overall benefits she collect (pension, healthcare) will make the job worth a lot more than it seem.

I think for long term, library jobs are excellent for women, especially if you plan to work until you're very old.

 

[calendula]

OP here.
First, many thanks for all the insight especially from librarians or friends of librarians.

The distance/online MLIS is very well regarded since there are so few brick and mortar library schools in the country (I did research this extensively). Experience seems to count more than anything and I did plan to start volunteering in the next year or so.

Yeah, I am really torn between waiting the 5 years my DD goes to school and trying for a job at the library (page/clerk - I realize it will be very entry level)
or
spending the next few years getting the degree so I'll at least be eligible for a professional position.

It all comes down to money bah! - FWIW I was born in a country where education is mostly free so it hurts even more to have to decide based on numbers.

I can't see me doing a part time job for at least another year. My DD is too young. But I do plan for her to go to preschool so maybe that's when I could work part time - save the money for school. Maybe I should just plan to start school later than I thought, save if I can, and see what pans out from talking to people locally. Just thinking aloud.

Anyway, thanks again....

 

[HappyLamb]

Another librarian here! I love my job-- I love exactly what you mentioned: it's intellectually challenging, fun, meet new people, but very little pressure. very little in the way of deadlines, etc (which is important to me with small kids). There are so many interesting settings to work in: pre-kids, I worked in a university library, right after grad school. Now, I am working in a school library, and intend to stay here for a few more years. Eventually, when my kids are older, I'd like to work as a law librarian. (I did some research and it seems part-time positions as a law librarian are hard to come by, so I want to wait on that).

In the meantime, I would definetly encourage you to go for you MLS. In terms of taking out loans and the like: 30K is a lot to take out for the low starting salaries offered. Would you consider putting off the program one year, and working, doing anything, even if you don't like it that much, to put away some $$ to pay towards tuition?

Did you mention that there is not an MLS program in your state? Then you should look into any cross-state agreements, that allow people from your state to do the program at in-state tuition prices somewhere else.

In terms of the online degree program, look into it. Try to talk to librarians in different settings in your area and find out how the hiring managers regard online MLSs. Also, look into a website called "Lisjobs.com" (I think thats it). tThey have a forum that is somewhat active and ppl there can give good advice.

good luck!

 

[EFmom]

Not all librarian jobs are low stress. I certainly wouldn't describe mine that way. We are tenure-track faculty, and it's pretty high stress. In addition to doing your "regular" job, research is expected, along with publication in peer-reviewed journals. If you don't get your research done and published, you lose your job. I would say about half the librarians at our institution don't make tenure and have to leave. You're also expected to participate in national professional organizations, and present papers at conferences.

For the tenure process, you have to get the teaching faculty to support you, so you have to be very careful to build good relationships with them, which is sometimes tricky when the budget dictates that you must cut the journals that they value. There is also a great deal of politics at a university, which you have to learn to navigate.

You are expected to do a great deal of teaching, and working on an academic library reference desk, while very rewarding, isn't stress-free.

 

[Purple*Lotus]

I know several people in that field and they do not make anywhere near that much money a year. More like $20K- 25K a year- at University libraries. Are you sure about the starting pay? I would research it more before going to school for that.

 

[Smithie]

My cousin became the librarian at her children's Catholic school (started as a PTer, worked her way into a FT position) and she's very happy with that and did not need to go back and get a grad degree.

I don't think the salaries and rosy long-term job security outlook for university librarians justify the cost of the schooling, and I'd say the same thing to a woman who was 20 and had no kids! If you want to pay for more education, it needs to be for something that will make you a highly sought after and highly compensated worker.

If you'd like to do something you enjoy that has social value and fits in with your parenting commitments - then find an alternative track into the librarian profession. If a way to get your employer/the gov't to fund your MLIS ever comes up, then hurray!

 

[lmonter]

Oh geez, I just remembered something else. My mom started off as a new librarian/home ec teacher in 1969 making $6K/year at a high school. That was with a college degree. In 1978 it had jumped to $10K/year at the very same university she came back to in 1987. It's never been a high paying profession in our area.