In school our instructors informed us that we would need to move constantly to advance our careers in the LIS field. Despite applying to most jobs near my experience level, I never got my foot in the door. I uprooted myself to CO Springs to be with Heather. In the process, I discovered the challenges of establishing myself in a new environment.
Making an entire new group of connections and friends out of nothing is very difficult. At university it proved much easier because we all had the common goal of attending school. In the office everyone focused more on their own families and careers than building lasting social connections. Feeling that isolated brought negative effects on my physical and emotional health. Despite finding people to talk with, I never felt like I belonged.
The nature of the library profession revolves around uprooting oneself to better positions all the time. Corporate stability is one thing, despite being nonexistent today. Geographic stability is even more critical than finding new work. This transience proved very bad for me. I'm not sure how my former colleagues handle it. Advancement and instability in a profession that eats its young is not a worthwhile endeavor.
- Andy out
