It took years for me to walk away from a library career. I invested so much time in the library field that I couldn’t imagine trying something new, but there just came a point when I knew it was time. I’m still figuring things out, but I have taken the steps to understand myself a bit better. I personally started by reading What Color Is Your Parachute? by Richard N. Bolles, but choose what works for you. It made me start looking at my own personality and character traits from a new perspective. I started asking myself just what I enjoyed the most about work and what could I no longer stand to do. It’s important for you to ask yourself these questions on your career/job transition journey. I hope you will find some of these posts helpful as you evaluate your own qualities to find the best traits to serve you in a new field.
What to Do, What to Do?: Thoughts on Self-Evaluation
The idea is not to tear yourself down here. Instead, figure out what matters to you in a new career or job. What skills do you have that will move with you? What are some situations you can’t handle anymore? What situations do you love?
What is a non-negotiable for you? Is there a particular task or duty that you just cannot imagine doing for one more day. It’s important to recognize this and make certain it isn’t part of your new career choice
Management has a serious bearing on how happy or miserable we are in a career field. It’s okay to admit that this is something you just won’t put up with in the work place.
I have particular skill sets developed over my years in the library field, but I have chosen limits as to how I’m willing to use them in the future. What are your limits?
As I get older, I find that I need more quiet to concentrate. This can be a problem in the modern work place. What kind of office layout and set up is best for you?
Research and reference skills are a valuable skill in the library world. I have learned that I can use them in a variety of other ways. This is a skill I can transfer to another career. What do you know that can move with you?
This is one skill that I love to use, and when I can use it to help others it truly brings me a kind of joy. I don’t have to use it when working for others, but if I don’t , I’ll just keep on writing as a freelancer.
Wrapping It Up (Coming Soon)
I like a job with a variety of activities to keep my mind working. I don’t mind having a schedule, and I don’t mind doing repetitive tasks. I just don’t want to do the same thing all the time.
All Things Subject to Change 