to consider. They can always say no we need your answer today.

I don't know where you live but have you considered substitute teaching? In California the pay is very good and you can schedule it around grad school.

I'm good with kids and teens if I can build up a rapport with them, but walking into someone else's classroom on-the-fly?

I'm also in the most economically depressed part of New England. Mostly rural and the little cities have bled jobs for 40 years. One local city has just been taken over by the state for under-performing. I'm not sure substitute teaching would pay well enough here. There is the possibility of doing some substitute librarianship, but I'm not sure how consistently I can count on that as an income stream, also due to the area's depressed economics.

I don't think you should tell them why.

That's part of what I'm struggling with. I've never had to consider how to diplomatically ask a potential to wait for my reply. I understand in theory that if they want me, they'll wait, but psychologically I'm all like, "They'll tell me to fuck off!!"

you could take this job and then quit when something better (maybe the other job you applied for) comes along.

Someone where I work was hired but then apparently got a better offer and never showed up.

My best friend is on the hiring committee! We've been besties for 45 years! I'd never be able to look her in the eye again if I just blew them off!

but then I did say diplomacy isn't in my skill set...

I'm an academic librarian and I've asked for time for each job I've been offered.

If you take the public librarian position, do you think you'd stay in that system once you finish the degree? It can be difficult in this field to make that transition in the same place you work.

From p/t to f/t? It's a union job, so as soon as I get the degree I'd bump up to regular pay. I have another Masters, too, and already have pretty high level collection development, cataloguing, and reference experience under my belt from previous and my current job (for instance, I currently teach research classes at the library where I work), and I've helped design a university level MLIS class, so I'm not worried they'll continue to under value me once I get the degree. The pay is solely based on union rules.

Regardless, my dream is to move back to a state I lived in before and get a job there. I have solid contacts in libraries there. But the reality is that's two years out. Who knows what will happen between now and then?

Do not tell them you are waiting on another job offer.

She knows I had the phone interview and they called me back. She understands the need for benefits. But she's the supervisor of the library and I think she really wants me in her system because she knows the level of work I can accomplish based on my previous career.

Do not tell the best friend until you have decided. You don't want her to think they are second best. Watch how fast they don't make you an offer.

I would do everything thing I could to get the full time job. But I'm thinking about it from my point of view. I absolutely have to have good paying, steady, full time work with benefits.

I actually have a f/t job with benes now, but it's only for 42 weeks a year. Those lost 10 weeks are killing me. One of the reasons why I hate my job is that this wasn't exactly made clear to me at time of hire, and that level of poor communication, both from my direct supervisor and the organization, is why I hate my job. The work itself is interesting.

You will get tuition remission. If they have an MLS program, you will go either for free or really reduced rate(s).

They offer tuition reimbursement, but only for colleges in their consortium. The program I'm in has a satellite campus at one of the consortium colleges, but since they aren't in the consortium, I won't get the tuition reimbursement.

to your goal, plus the professional experience can push you toward an even better public library position in the future. University communities have lots of options for professional development in addition to the Masters Degree that can enhance your professional profile.

In both university and public libraries. I understand it's the most effective route to my goals, but to get my dream job while still training for my dream job is, well, a dream.

So say you are very interested, but want to look over the paperwork and consider things.

I am not a librarian, so I don't know the college vs public merits unless you like little kids with sticky fingers reading books. Myself, I would snap up the college job if it actually materializes.

Don't burn your bridges. The college people may not make you an offer. Neither of them may make you an offer. If they don't, ask to be kept in mind for future openings.

I've worked in both university and public libraries, and really like the age diversity in public libraries. Plus the number of college students who come in the night before a 20-page paper is due just starting their research pisses me off. At least the sticky-fingered children don't know any better.

This post was really not about counting chickens before they've hatched, but more about how to leave options open. I'm totally with you on not burning bridges.

Thanks.

...put off or think I'm being overly intrusive. I don't know the rest of your life situation.

Do have a partner or children who depend on your income?
How is your health?
Do you have a support network? (Family,friends... with whom you could stay if something goes bad...)
Do you have obligations (outside your interest in continued education) that could limit or complicate your options for a second job?


A side point: I hate the idea of student loans. Is there any tuition benefit at the university job? Anything that would leave you with a lower loan balance, even if only for a few classes that you could transfer would be a winner.

Don't underestimate benefits. The only benefits I've had in the last 15 years other than what I've paid for myself (or paid through my personal S corp) has been the 6 paid holidays I got in 2014 and 2015. (I'm a contract engineer.) Benefits are expensive. Health insurance is high. As you get older things like disability become important.

Another point: having to drive 45 minutes makes auto maintenance and repair a priority. Consider that in your budget.

So I can't borrow for school. I don't think the tuition reimbursement benefit at the university will be available to me because they only reimburse for education within their consortium of schools and my school is not in their consortium. None of their consortium schools offer the degree I need.

My son is buying a 2-family home and he and I will share it. I'll have to get a roommate to afford even this, but it will still be boatloads cheaper than having to rent outright. My former job was a 45 minute commute so I know all about car maintenance.

Car is good, solid, basic, so easy and cheap to repair. I've been pretty poor for a very long time so I've learned how to keep myself healthy and keep my costs down. I'll tell ya, the best part about being older (ahem) is that I have a pretty firm grasp on what things cost, and how well I've been handle living and paying for life.

But thanks for your thoughts. They are all great points to consider.

45 minutes of traffic-free commute. It would be an hour if it was regular hours. The college is located well-off any highways, in a rural area with curvy roads. So much/most of the commute is under 40 mph.

yup