This week I completed work experience at my local library.
I shelved and scanned books and all the librarians told me I showed 'initiative'.
I also realised that working in a library didn't suit me.
I realised I need to feel challenged, and to feel like I'm accomplishing something.
While it's a fine career for many smart, bookish people, I think I'd forever feel bored.
I'm a person who does things. I'm frustrated by inaction. I need to always feel as if I'm learning, as if everything I'm doing is worthwhile. That's probably why I've already written two novels, and also why I don't have much in the way of a social life.
So this is what I've decided: I'm going to do work experience at a publishing house in the second semester (if you're a publisher in Melbourne, reading this blog, I am very reliable and eager to learn, so if you're looking for a work experience kid, send me an email. I do, however, tend to trip over things.)
I think work experience has been invaluable, but my future career is still incredibly hazy. At the moment I'm exploring all of my options for courses I can do while I'm still at school.
I want to ask: did you plan the career you have now? Or did you just stumble into it? And those of you still at school: can you say, with any certainty, what you're going to be when you're older?
Thanks.
EDIT: I also want to shoot myself in the foot for not going to Reading Matters. Though I will hopefully go in two years time, when I am seventeen and lovely and glamorous. Not that being lovely and glamorous has anything to do with anything, but I would like to be lovely and glamorous.
And another edit: I feel I have to mention, writing is my passion. My life is based around it. I'm being realistic about careers and things, though the only thing I truly want to do it write. I'd add a bad simile of writing being oxygen here, but I need to get to bed, so I won't.
9 notes passed:
The thing I've learned the hard way about careers and jobs - is all that smaltzy stuff about following your heart and doing what you love - it's true. If you love books and words then head that way until you trip over the right job for you. You made me laugh with that 'trip over' comment - you are definitely a books and words person! Me too but I thought I should choose a 'sensible job' so did a maths and computing degree and went into IT. Silly move. Eventually I found my way back to books and words - now I'm a children's author and finally feel as if I am in the right place for me. I love it all - the writing, the promo stuff, the school vists etc. I wish I had followed my heart in the first place...
Re your edit: I _could_ tell you that you didn't miss much by not coming to Reading Matters... but I'd be lying. It was a really great couple of days, and next time you really must go.
In England, we only have one week of work experience at school. I no longer want to do anything teacher related. Urgh. I'd love to try work experience at a book shop (Waterstone's).
I work in publishing right now - 2 years ago I thought it was the perfect career for me. And it's been a good 2 years. I think anyone that loves books would love publishing. But I've recently discovered what my true passion is, and I'm going to school for library science. So I'm taking the opposite path of you, I'm trying to find a job in a library! I'm 24 and I'm just now stumbling on what I really think is going to be my career for the rest of my life (teen librarian). It takes some discovering, in my opinion. You have to try out things. Find out what works. Which it sounds like you are doing! Good luck! And any experience, even if you decide after that it won't be what you'll do as a career, is never a waste.
So are you getting rid of this blog? Or are you keeping this and StephBowe.com?
I have no idea what I want to do.
Something like a science degree. idk.
Working in a library wouldn't be very fun, no offence. :|.
Working in a bookshop though would be better. idk. Borders would be a good place to work. js.
Note to self: hand in resume at Borders.
Anyhoo, I'd probably be living in a caravan with seven cats in ten years. Or a cardboard box. :)
It’s good to think about career options at your age, but try to keep an open mind. This is time to read and to write for fun and to try new things without being practical. You’re better off going on a real adventure than working as an office volunteer. You have to live life to have material for your writing. Maybe you’ll find something you like even more. Explore!
I wasn’t an English major; my degrees were in political science. I’ve always read and written a lot in many fields. I’ve had a variety of jobs and lived abroad. I’m a generalist instead of a specialist, but it means I never run out of material. I only came to writing fiction a few years ago when I needed work I could do at home in a remote location.
My agent signed me on because she thought my writing sounded fresh – not like the stuff coming out of writing workshops and MFAs. Then again I’m not published yet, but I’m very happy writing and painting.
Good luck with your next work experience. Hopefully the publishing will go better. But yeah, if you really wanna do that author thing, keep at it. Looks like you're well on your way already. It's pretty impressive! :)
Unless they were going to pay me to read the books in the library I wouldn't like it as a career path either. But fun for work experience!
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