You have a master's in Library Science and your user name is libraryjoy, but you don't want to be a library supervisor? What would you like to do career wise before FI? Retail at a jewelry store would make you underemployed with your credentials.
I love libraries. I really do. And I loved selling books - but it was a minimum wage gig that could be discouraging at times, purely because of the pay. My disillusionment with libraries has occured because: I have not worked as a librarian and do not currently have the option to move; as such I am over-qualified for my current library positions. Also - I pursued this career because I thought it meant talking to people about books. It is really more about managing information and resources. I NEED PEOPLE! Whew. Sorry for yelling ;)
Ideally I would work at the jewellery store and volunteer at a library.
And if for some reason you're a complete and utter failure, there will be other desk jobs.
I agree. I also feel like the further I progress in the library career, the harder it will be to leave the big pay cheque in order to try something new. Even if I'm sacrificing my health and happiness...
Can you take the stable job, and try the jewelry job on weekends or in peak season (Christmas/Valentines etc)?
I have considered this, but it frightens me. I have habitually had two jobs at once, and I am trying to focus more on health, happiness, family, and friends. Before, when I was in debt, working so much felt worthwhile. Now, I am questioning that path.
Other than I don't think it really matters that she would be underemployed, these were kind of my questions, too. Did you get your degree without really understanding what the job would entail? It would be interesting to understand what drew you to Library Science...maybe those interests could transfer.
When I signed up for my degree, I did not really know what it meant to be a librarian. I think some library jobs are very people-oriented, but I have fallen into a number of them that are not. And I am burnt out, already. Which does not bode well for a future in libraries. I am kind of hoping to develop these two career paths concurrently. Perhaps working part-time in each field?
As a library "supervisor", would you supervise people or things or both? If people, then you could get the human interaction on which you thrive - depending on how many people you supervise and how many non direct reports you would/could meet on a given day.
In other words, could you structure the library job so you would enjoy it?
I hate to judge a job before I've tried it, but I have worked at this particular library before and it is very small with low traffic. It would really be me sitting in a box, putting out fires as necessary. Sigh. Nice people work there, though.
I'd take the sales job - it has the real freedom/happiness now, and you can leverage the experience into a sales position that I'd bet makes much more than a library supervisor.
Yes - this is my little dream right now. It's scary to want to do things that I know my parents would not approve of (because it's not a conventional, conservative path)... but I think I should try this! My favourite job was once working as an office assistant for a sprinkler company. I loved it because the boss/owner and I just chatted all day while working. I thrive and flourish in that kind of environment! :)
Sell books! or related industry like publishing etc.... Monetarily, the potential is more upside in sales so maybe you can combine your education to the Sales field.
Selling books is great but not (in my experience) lucrative. I do hope to use my past experiences in the sales field, though! :)
A word of caution about the sales job... this is something my own wife is now going through as a sort of existential crisis with her side gig. The further you fall down the hole of FI and separating yourself from material consumerism, the more soul-sucking sales jobs become because you cease to enjoy helping others waste money on needless purchases that don't actually fulfill or bring them joy so much as debt. Jewelery is right up there with MLP lunchbags from a practicality standpoint, and if you're serious about FIRE and deriving lifelong joy out of life and not stuff, I can pretty well guarantee you will eventually come to odds with this line of work. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow... but soon enough.
You need to get back in touch with what actually makes you happy and what drew you to the library sciences in the first place, and then find a way to make that work. Perhaps consider that neither current job offerings are right for you.
This is a great point. I have pondered this. Right now, I would be more than happy to sell people things for lotsa monies! Sparkly shiny things? Here ya go. Plus, this independent jewellery store has the philosophy that they do not want to sell to people that can't afford it, or don't really love it. I respect that. So while I think your warning has merit, I think it could be worthwile to work in that field until it becomes insufferable. Then, reassess and find a new field, or return to libraries. Or be a SAHM! I dunno.
I am realizing that the library world might not be for me, and I want to have an exit strategy.
Thanks everyone, for helping me think this out! I am finding it very useful to ask like-minded people for advice, rather than well-meaning friends or family that don't have a similar world-view.