I wondered what other jobs I could apply the knowledge gained through the collection of work (at the level of Library Assistant). I did this job for several years (including customer service centers online). I know that the knowledge will be transferable to the document management features, paper and file. Anything else? In addition, I have no qualifications collection itself.
There are librarians in large corporations and even symphony orchestras. Records management sounds similar. But I think you are beyond file clerk.
The library assistants that work for my library part-time have a variety of other “real jobs” since they are not paid very well here.
There are school attendance secretaries, medical records clerks, classroom aids (though they don’t pay well either, it’s just a chance to be close to her kids). We have a newspaper librarian who’s recently been assigned to manage the blogs and edit the obituaries.
One lady who was extremely personable, went from LA straight into the City Manager’s office. She basically started out as his own personal City Clerk, but five years later, she administers big money projects and is interviewed all the time in the paper and on TV. Human resources/employee benefits is also a possiblity.
Most of these jobs, though, don’t use your customer service skills, though. You might miss working with the public, but other than real estate- and this is a poor market and it requires passing a few classes and spending several hundred dollars for start up – working in sales usually pays you even less.
If you have been involved in cataloging at all, you may consider looking at some web related jobs. Many of the skills used in information architecture and the organization of massive amounts of information contained in web sites are similar to the cataloging of books traditionally done in libraries.
I’ve worked in various roles in several libraries since 1987. I worked as a Library Assistant and Library Page for years.
I do not have any manner of degree that says I’m certified to do anything in a library. However, I have 20 years of experience working in libraries. So what do I do? EVerything. I can cover the Reference Desk. I fix the computers. I can cover the circ desk.
It’s not about the “skills”. It’s about the experience. Where does the experience apply outside? From what I’ve been told.. with my experience, I’d probably make 20% more “outside” in the “real world”.
Of course, I’m also the primary technology manager for the LIbrary I work at now. I’m a “Manager” (which becomes a transferrable skill for any type of management, apparently).
Does any of this apply outside? It really depends on how you sell it.
Depends a lot on the specific library and position. But:
– The ability to understand complex reference queries and to supply information is a customer service skill.
– Stacks management is like the management of any storehouse.
– IT support is IT support.
But I disagree with the user who discounted library credentials. MLS degrees really are necessary.
– Meticulousness is valuable, as is general attention to detail required for library work.