I can't imagine my life getting any worse right now

[nashiitashii]

@Merneith

Get a MLS - Master of Library Science. Librarians work in nice, peaceful, climate controlled environments. Library Science is gradually morphing into the more computer oriented field, Information Science. Consider specializing in medical or business related fields such as knowledge management. MLS/MIS degrees have a lot more applications than just public or school libraries. Plus many library programs have online classes so you can live at home while you’re doing it.

Maybe it won’t be your thing, but it’s well worth considering for anyone with a Bachelors.

I just finished with my MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science) and I’m about to get laid off by the county with no great job leads ahead of me. I have a good skill set and a good resume, but I’m competing against librarians with more experience than me for just about every job that I apply to. I know I can’t be the only person having issues with getting employed right now in the library world. There’s a glut of MLS/MLIS qualified people out there right now, and it may not improve in two years when you’re done.

If you’re working in a public library, your branch may be anything but peaceful and calm. Though my branch isn’t in an especially urban area, we have incidents on a regular basis and there’s often unruly kids to contend with-- it’s anything but the “peaceful” library of my childhood. Ditto for any library that doesn’t restrict parents from bringing children in; there will always be that one exception to the rule that will make you wonder whether the parents had children or decided to try to [unsuccessfully] domesticate another primate species. It’s definitely not as bad as a bad restaurant crowd, but it can be just as hectic, if not more so on busy days with short staff.

Also, don’t do library science unless you really like learning new information, research, and actually dealing with people. Even in academic and special libraries, you’re going to be dealing with people that you may not like, patrons and coworkers-- there’s always that customer service aspect, even when you’re in the back offices away from patrons.

[Broomstick]

[quote=“orderfire, post:60, topic:509041”]

@Broomstick

.
Telling a grown man he needs to be spanked is low, and just mean.

I’m talking about a slap in the head, where did you get spanking from?

If you meant “slap in the head” you should have stated so plainly, without leaving the statement ambiguous as to what part of his anatomy you’d be slapping.

No. He does not. That’s like saying “it will all work out for the best!” in a chirpy voice. He does NOT “have it made”. He’s not homeless and starving, either, but can we at least acknowledge that living with your parents at age 26 due to low wages and $70,000 in debt is NOT “having it made”? It’s not the worst situation, but it IS a bad one. Can we get a grip on reality here?

A grip on reality requires perspective. Bad situation? Yes. An unbearable situation? No.

Yes, I believe that was my point. He really is in a bad situation. Not a horrific situation, just a bad one.

A situation in which the OP can’t imagine his life any worse?

I took it as hyperbole.

Well…he’s had several responses upthread that gave him scenarios far worse than his own. Now he has some idea of how much worse it could be. If it’s still too much for him to process, he should probably look into getting some advice on dealing with depression.

You DO realize that even if he has processed that he can’t go back and change the thread title, yes?

^ This is true. And if someone did lead him to believe that a degree equaled instant employment at high wages then that someone lied to him. Someone puts that idea in these kid’s heads, and that’s gotta stop. Because lies do hurt.

Come on. What institution worth tuition would promise a six figure job before the OP is thirty?

I didn’t specify it was the institution. It might have been his family. Or a high school counselor. Or, indeed, someone at the “institution”. My point is that someone, at some time, told him an untruth.

And who would be fool enough to believe such a claim?

Um… someone young and inexperienced with the real world? You know - like someone just out of college.

No personal responsibility here? Did he do any research on the validity of that claim before signing on? I think I just read a news blip about some entitled twat who decided to sue her alma mater for her tuition because she didn’t have a magic job handed to her on the way out. You can call me a harsh bitch, but I’m teaching the young people in my life that they bear some responsibility for what they get out of life.

Please note bouv is not planning to sue anyone. I’m assuming he’s taking this as a hard lesson to learn.

As I pointed out, he’s young and relatively inexperienced. I’m less inclined to judge him harshly than, say, a 40 year old believing such a claim.

Or you could be in some European country with sufficient safety net that you won’t starve, you won’t be homeless, and you won’t die for lack of the money to get medical care. The US is not the paradise people think it is, it never was, and even less so now than 20 years ago. The idea that being an American is some sort of privilege and guarantee of happiness is a lie and just as pernicious as the one that says a college degree equals instant employment on graduation. The US is a country like any other, with good points and bad points. One of the bad points is that we treat anyone below a certain income level as human trash and debris, then scold them for not projecting blissful happiness. Can we stop that, please? It’s really repulsive.

I can’t tell if you’re suggesting I’m treating the OP as human trash and debris. If you are, then I’d suggest you re-read my post. He’s lucky to have what he has, period. He’s fed, has a home, and a job.

He has a low wage job, large debt, and an uncertain future. I suppose that’s “lucky” in a sense, but I hardly see where there is any reason to rejoice at his current lot in life. Yes, it’s better than starving in a third world slum, but I wouldn’t call him a success story at this point.

Yes, there are many, many people in the USA who are severely underprivileged, but you’d have a hard time convincing me that bouv is one of them based on what he’s told us.

Why does he have to be “severely underprivileged” to merit any sympathy? He doesn’t have to be “severely underprivileged” to be in a bad spot, or uncomfortable with his current situation.

You know, I’d find it utterly creepy for a waiter I don’t know to start complimenting me on my outfit or hair color. Taking the umbrella or coat or whatever makes more sense. Can we keep it business and not personal? Thank you. I am paying for a service, not a friendship or commentary on my attire.

One can be positive and complimentary without being a creep. In fact, it’s a good social skill for a young man to hone and perfect, and one for women to encourage. Seriously, you have a problem with someone telling you that you look nice?

I have a problem with a total stranger focusing on an aspect of my appearance for no apparent reason, or with less than perfect sincerity. Yes, I really do. Saying “you look nice” is one thing, fawning over my hair or my shoes or some other isolated aspect is… yes, creepy. Unless, maybe, I’m wearing Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers or a diamond tiara.

Maybe it’s just that I want people to take me seriously rather than regard me as an animated clothes manikin. Seriously, what are you going to suggest next? That the waiter always hand the check to the man, no matter what? Ask the man what madame is having rather than ask madame herself? Would you suggest a male waiter tell a male dinner he has lovely hair or his shoes are nice?

*No, it’s not. A job where you are required to suffer abuse and humiliation is not worthwhile. **I’m not saying that bouv is in such a job, *just that “every job is worthwhile” is another one of those well-meaning lies we tell young people. Can we stop doing that?

Where are you getting the abuse & humiliation stuff?

Excuse me - did you or did you not read the part in bold?

Any job that one individual will employ another to undertake is worthwhile, regardless of your personal perspective. Does the person who cleans the lavatory at the train station deserve our gratitude and respect? Yes indeed. There’s no “well-meaning lie” here, just another drop of reality. A gravedigger, a guy working construction, a waiter, a janitor, a dishwasher, whatever. All of these are jobs people get paid to do, jobs society needs people to do.

It’s not the job, it’s how people are treated on the job. I have personally witnessed managers who verbally abused employees, pressured employees to commit illegal acts, yelled racist comments at employees, and even on one occasion attempted to physically hit an employee. If ever someone finds him or herself in such a situation no the job is not worthwhile. If you are doing a job that pays less than minimum wage, involves labor law violations, extreme safety hazards, or is paid by the hour but requires overtime off the clock (which is illegal) then no, the job is not worthwhile.

Does that clarify anything for you?

An inexperienced person desperately looking for something better is more vulnerable to such situations than an experienced, confident, financially secure person. I would not want to see bouv in such a bad situation.

[bouv]

@Eonwe

Dude, Nectar’s trivia on Thursday?

I actually already go, though we never do well (my team is only 4-5 people.)

We’re the “Scott Bakula Fan Club.” God help me, if you say you’re on team Brogen we might have to stop being friends…

Anyway, thanks again for the words all, both the kind and not-so-kind (let’s face it, sometimes you need a swift kick in the ass.)

[orderfire]

broomstick, you seem to be entirely too interested in bickering with me. Obviously, bouv can speak for himself. Let’s not continue.

bouv, I’d hoped you weren’t offended by my virtual kick in the ass, I meant it kindly but it doesn’t always translate. There was a time in my life (right around age 27 or so, come to think of it!) when I received a similar ass-kicking. While it was totally devastating and unwelcome, it gave me the wake up call that I needed to get my head out of my ass and start taking charge of my life.

You’ve received a lot of good suggestions in this thread. You seem to be a smart, resilient guy and you’ll find a way to work things out. Keep us posted, OK?

[Success20]

The analogy of any job is better than no job doesn’t add up nowadays - I am down to 1 job from an original 3 - and in the one job left - I have one little shift a week - but they are hiring new youngsters to work - they are getting rid of the boomer crowd - not to save money - just because they can - and you can’t collect unemployment if your still working. And by the way the young crowd they are hiring have a long lists of tasks they refuse to do - so it all gets saved up for me on my little shift once a week - so hard work and a great education doesn’t necessarily get you anywhere right now. Eventually the positive attitude gets sucked right out of your soul folks. I am actually exploring the teaching overseas thing now - I got nothing to lose and it beats being homeless.

[twickster]

Success20 – welcome to the SDMB. Rather than reviving someone else’s old thread – a “zombie” in Board slang – it’s better to start a new thread about your own experiences. (You may benefit from looking at the various rules and guidelines threads in About This Message Board.)

I’m sorry you’re going through tough times right now.

twickster, MPSIMS moderator