Iāve decided that I really like studying for my Masters. From taxonomies to organizational structures and hierarchy in the informational architecture of websites, from database design to the uses of twitter for professional networking ā itās been a true stretch of the mind for me! And thatās whatās been really enjoyable.
So why a Masters in Information Technology? Whatās IT got to do with becoming a Librarian?
Well, Iām a trained teacher. Since I started in classrooms, back in (cough) 1996, Iāve taught in State, Catholic, Independent, Lutheran, and Christian schools. Iāve taught Preppies through to Year 12. In Uni, I majored in English and Music, but Iāve also taught Drama, Dance, Film and TV, SOSE, QCS Test classes, Christian Studies, Independent Studies, and Sex Ed. Iāve been a Music Coordinator (x 2), a Head of English, and a Head of Middle School.
But I like challenges. I donāt like remaining in a position that Iāve been in before. Maybe itās something to do with my claustrophobia, but I particularly dislike being āstuck in a rutā ā which, in my opinion, is remaining in a situation where there is little to challenge me. I love new experiences, and have never yet racked up enough time in any one position to earn āLong Service Leaveā. But thatās okay for me. Iāve only got one life ā I want to live it.
So 9 weeks after Mr 3 was born, I met with some web developers about my ideas for a social network for Seniors ā and GoodOldTalk.com became a reality. Less than six months after its launch, I was thinking about my eventual return to teaching, and decided that it didnāt really interest me. But as a bookworm, the thought of returning to the classroom from within the four walls of the School Library made a great deal of sense. Step One was to look into how I could get qualified. A few phonecalls and I had a decision to make. To become a School Librarian, I could study a Masters in Education, which would qualify me for a School Library ā or I could study a Masters in IT (within a Science faculty) and I would be qualified for School, Public, Academic and Special libraries. And seeing as Iād never studied a āScienceā degree before, I thought āwhy not?ā And Iām very glad I did.
The Science faculty at QUT does the āstudent experienceā pretty well. Blended learning options, and podcasts made of all lectures, makes study-around-kids possible. (Believe me! I swapped to the Business faculty for an elective last semester and was NOT impressed with the resulting experienceā¦)
So although study has its ups and downs, Iāve been ecstatic at (the majority of) my results, and the brain challenge has also been excellent. And Iām learning to code in html this semester, so thatās pretty cool (?!!) tooā¦ I think!
The plan, when I commenced, was to graduate as quickly as possible and then to be a Teacher Librarian. Graduating quickly isnāt an option for me any more, and my scope has broadened. Having friends on twitter who are Youth Librarians, Electronic Services Librarians, Medical Librarians, Academic Librarians, Information Managers, Historical Archivists and Library students, I now can see that my interests may be broader than the High School library.
So I wonder where my studies will take me! And Iām excited by the possibilities.
CC image courtesy cseeman atĀ http://www.flickr.com/photos/cseeman/5938716870/
