Revelations in Career Counseling

In the poll that we’ve never changed here on Good Girls Kill, the results show that the vast majority of you all want to read stuff about the writerly life.

Alas, if one does not hit the bestseller list, if one does not marry money, inherit money, hit the lotto or a bank (the latter may end you up in a place with plenty of time to write, though)…the writerly life just might include a day job. It does for me.

I work at a place I love, with people whose company I enjoy, doing work that is important and meaningful…

Even so, I don’t want to do it forever. For one thing, it’s full-time. For a second, it has nothing to do with books.

Big Career Counseling Revelation #1: I’m happiest doing something that has to do with books - but I don’t see myself moving to NYC to work in publishing, I don’t desire a spot behind the counter at my local big box bookstore, I don’t believe they’d even let me shelve books at my local library.

So what else is left to consider when considering a bookish part-time career that marries well with writing?

Big Career Counseling Revelation #2: I want to teach Literature and Writing. (If forced by the ignorant masses who refuse to launch my words to the heights of the NYT Bestseller list to do work other than writing.)

Imagine my surprise that there are those out there who believe I don’t know enough about literature and writing to do this. Yet. So how to get to goal?

Big Career Counseling Revelation #3: I need to go back to school for a higher degree.

Therefore, I applied to a graduate program in writing. I got accepted. I signed up for my first class. And, last night, I went to my first class.

So far, so good. Talk to me again come mid-semester. And again in about 2-4 years.

In the meantime, anyone who has a suggestion of a bookish career I might have missed during my career counseling, drop me a line. My professor mentioned the merchant marines - plenty of time for writing, but I don’t think the hubby would take kindly to those infrequent furloughs.

8 Responses to “Revelations in Career Counseling”

1. I too have come to the realization to get where I want to be I have to get that graduate degree. Doesn’t seem fair and I know although I’ll love it, especially if I can do some of it on line, I’m so swamped already that I’ll just be more tired.

   Maybe by then I won’t be going to so many Dr. visits.

   So don’t forget your notebook and lots of pencils, a water bottle and your homework and don’t miss the bus. Welcome back to school.

   by Lynn on January 24th, 2008 at 8:02 am
   
   

2. I like what I do and the people I work with, but it’s slowed down my progress on this WIP.

   I’d like to stay home and write, but that’s not going to happen any time soon, so I’ll just have to suck it up and do what I can.

   Just like the rest of us.

   by David Terrenoire on January 24th, 2008 at 9:45 am
   
   

3. I do need a new notebook, Lynn. Took notes last night in the battered one in my bag - next to a rough of the WIP and a grocery list and monthly budget.

   David, I hereby initiate you into the Suck It Up Club. I think we should form a commune and have robots work the sustinence garden and slaughter all the livestock for us so we’ll be free to write. What say you?

   by Regina Harvey on January 24th, 2008 at 10:03 am
   
   

4. I’m lucky enough to be able to stay home and write. For now. But I know it won’t last and I have no desire to go back to school so I’ll be happy to find a job working in a place I enjoy with people I love.

   by Wendy Roberts on January 24th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
   
   

5. That does make a difference, Wendy. It would be great to be able to write all the time and forever, though, wouldn’t it? Sigh.

   by Regina Harvey on January 24th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
   
   

6. Hi, Regina! If your career counselor didn’t give you this advice, ask for a refund! Go read the jobs listing of the Chronicle of Higher Education. It’s the 800 lb. gorilla in academic job listings and new listings are posted every week.

   If you want an idea of where there are actually jobs in academia for your interest/degree, that’s the real-world place to look. You can print out the job descriptions, too, usually. Keep records as a reality check.

   What the Chronicle won’t tell you is what the competition is like for any of those jobs (think hundreds of applicants). Or how different community colleges and the others are.

   I don’t mean to discourage you–not at all!! But I recently bailed out of this (for progeny) and hope you’re getting multiple perspectives on this. Okay to contact me directly, if you’d like….

   by Cynthia on January 24th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
   
   

7. I know that you attended the college that my daughter attended - and can imagine that the environment there might be good for you - and can further imagine that you would fit rather nicely into some of the literary programs (and positions) that they would be having there. You just might have made enough of an impression that they’ll talk about earn while you learn….

   by Bob Rudolph on January 24th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
   
   

8. Thanks for the heads up, Cynthia! I have no illusions, but I still think it might be the best marriage for me.

   And thanks for the positive thoughts, Bob. When I’m slogging through assignments and wondering what I’ve gotten myself into, I’ll come back and read all of this!

   by Regina Harvey on January 25th, 2008 at 7:18 am
   
   

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website