Section 6 Getting an IDT Position/ Succeeding at It

This section of your textbook focuses on jobs in the profession of instructional design and technology: lessons and tips on how to get one and organizations that can support the job search and continued learning in the IDT field. Many of you already have a job in the field or in a related field; however, based on this week’s readings, you’ll reflect on where you are, where you want to go, and what you need to learn or do to get there. Begin your post for this week with some background: what is your current job, what program are you enrolled in, what brings you to that program, and what do you expect when you graduate (change jobs? obtain a promotion?)

My current position is that of Children’s Librarian/ Circulation Clerk at my local public library. I begin working part-time at the library almost seven years ago, shortly after graduating with my Bachelor’s Degree and teacher certification. Over time, I advanced from my part-time position to full time employment managing the circulation desk. Approximately two years ago, the job of Children’s Librarian was created for the library and I was tasked with assisting with children’s programs as well. I have always enjoyed working with the children and after coordinating various children’s activities and summer reading programs, I began to give some serious consideration to the idea or obtaining by school librarian certification. I have had limited experience in the classroom setting, but the experience that I had was good and I really enjoy the library work that I am currently involved in. Therefore, I think that the idea of being a school librarian would be a good fit. This is my first semester in the Educational Technology and Library Science Master’s Degree program and I hope to be able to eventually complete the requirements for School Librarian Certification as well. Upon graduation I hope to be able to secure a school librarian job within the East Texas area. Achieving this goal might take a bit longer than I had originally anticipated, as I do not currently have the years of classroom teaching experience necessary to complete my certification. I am working however, toward eventually achieving that goal as well.

Next, describe the kind of work that you want to do and the type of organization or institution in which you want to work. Use the WorkMatrix in the chapter titled “Getting a Job in Business and Industry” to help organize your thoughts. Do you most desire first, second, third, or fourth level service? Or would you rather design or develop instruction? What features of work are important to you? What economic sector do you want to work in? Based on these intentions, explain what you need to learn. What skills and qualifications do you need? Will you obtain the skills you need in the required courses in your program? What electives might you need to take to help you develop skills specific to your aspirations?

Eventually I hope to be employed in the educational field, preferably in the position of school librarian/ media specialist. I would like to work with children and teens within a school environment.  It is my goal to be able to have a positive impact on the lives of the students that I work with whether that is in a classroom or library setting.  I suppose that I would most desire first level service as my goal is to become a school librarian. When it comes to designing or developing instruction, I think that I would be most comfortable developing instruction rather than designing it. I know that while I have acquired many useful skills in my current position at a public library, I still have a lot to learn when it comes to applying those skills within an educational environment. With the introduction of new and different types of technology into the classrooms and schools, the job of school librarian has changed dramatically. The position has become one in which knowledge of instructional technology and various media is an important part of the job. I have many skills that I have yet to learn when it comes to technology and its application within the classroom. I hope that I can obtain this knowledge and required skill set through the coursework required in my program. In addition to acquiring these skills, I will also have to complete the teaching requirements in order to be eligible for certification. I do not know that there are any electives that I would need to take in order to develop the necessary skills, as my coursework requires a number of classes that I feel should adequately prepare me for my desired profession.  

Finally, what organizations would best support your continued learning after you graduate? Do you think that you would benefit from joining those organizations before graduating? Explain why or why not?

I think that professional organizations are extremely beneficial resources. Among the organizations that I think would be helpful in my profession would be the following:

 American Association of School Librarians (AASL)- this organization is a division of the American Library Association. It is the “only national professional membership organization focused on school librarians and the school library community”. More information about the organization can be found on their website www.ala.org/aasl/.

The Texas Association of School Librarians (TASL)- the purpose of this organization(as stated on their website) is to “promote library services and librarianship in school libraries in Texas and to cooperate in the promotion of general and joint enterprises with the Texas Library Association”.  More information about the organization can be found on their website www.txla.org/groups/tasl.

The Association of Texas Professional Educators  (ATPE)- this professional organization was founded by educators and is the “leading educators’ association in Texas and the largest independent educators’ association in the United States”. “ATPE exists to serve the needs of Texas public education and fights for our schools on the local, state, and national levels.” More information about this organization can be found on their website www.atpe.org.

Other beneficial organizations might include: the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE),and  the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE).

I believe that it could be beneficial to join these organizations before graduating because they offer so many helpful resources. They all provide opportunities for professional development and continuing education, whether it is through programs, workshops, online training tools, or other learning resources. In addition, they provide ways to connect and collaborate with other professionals and organizations in the educational field. Many also provide advocacy on behalf of their members and ATPE provides legal protection to its members should the need arise. All of these resources are useful tools that can provide support both before and after I have completed my education.