What Else Can I Do with an M.L.S.?

1. What Else Can I Do with an M.L.S.? MPLA 2005 Conference Jackson Hole, WY Anne E. McKee Program Officer for Resource Sharing Greater Western Library Alliance WWW.GWLA.ORG

2. McKee’s “Untraditional” Career Track • Received a B.A. in Library Science, worked as student assistant in Serials Unit • After B.A., worked as paraprofessional in Serials • Became 1 of 2 library staff to automate serials records. (Datalinx/SC-10) • Graduate school for M.L.S. • Position open as paraprofessional in their Serials Department. Trained local staff in Datalinx operations • After M.L.S., accepted position as Head of Serials George Mason University, Virginia • Worked with Datalinx/SC-10 again • LOVED the job but low salary and high cost of living necessitated in having to take 2nd job in a clothing boutique WWW.GWLA.ORG

3. Untraditional career track con’t • Accepted position 2 ½ years later to become first Head of Serials for a brand-new campus-ASU West in Arizona. • Much lower cost of living! • Travel allowance to attend conferences and network, but salary still low • 2 ½ years later, vendor sales position became available and I was invited to apply. • Assumed sales position with subscription vendor. Base pay-40% higher than academic salary PLUS commission • Recruited by a competitor after 2 ½ years, compensation included base pay, commission and lure of international travel • Constant travel burn-out! Applied for current position with large multi-state research library consortium. Starting year six with GWLA WWW.GWLA.ORG

4. Alternate Career Paths WWW.GWLA.ORG

5. Helpful References • http://studentorg.cua.edu/asis/march98.htm • http://www.libsci.sc.edu/bob/class/clis724/SpecialLibrariesHandbook/non-traditional.htm • http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/jobs/tips/ • http://www.craigslist.org/ • http://www.quintcareers.com/ WWW.GWLA.ORG