I started working in a library part time, I let the director know during my interview that I am interested in pursuing the degree to become a librarian but wanted to work in a library before committing to school. She said that there is plenty of growth here and that I am more than eligible to move to full time if I desire. I realized pretty quickly that I absolutely love working in a library, and that I could make this my career.
The full time position opened in December 2022, and specifically said those in or going into the education field for this are “priority candidates.” I applied mentioning that I have officially decided to pursue this degree. I have not heard back yet (March 2023) regarding it, although my part time colleague (who also applied) recently informed me she has an interview scheduled for the position.
This colleague is much older, not pursuing a degree, and has never worked before (this is her first job ever.) She does not need to work, as her husband financially supports their family, and only took this job because having a job was on her bucket list. Meanwhile I am still living at home and cannot afford rent of a place of my own. I absolutely love my colleague but she is older, obese (I mean this medically and NOT as an insult), therefore she has mobility limitations, and cannot conduct the job properly, which falls back on me to pick up where’s she’s lacking. English is also her second language and she is not comfortable performing a lot of basic customer service tasks such as answering phones, sending emails, or sometimes even helping the guests, which is another thing that I must pick up for her.
I emailed the director asking for an update regarding my application and she has not replied to me, and it’s been several days. I am so discouraged right now, especially considering the director should know that I am planning to make this my career and yet she is prioritizing the person who is not pursuing this career and is also lacking majorly on many fronts of the job. They are both around a similar age, moms, and have built up a rapport with each other that I have not built with the director as much.
People are constantly saying “no one wants to work anymore” well this is bullshit. No one wants to work for jobs/companies that are not investing in their employees. I am a young professional eager to make this my life and yet I am being pushed aside for someone else because they get along better. Why are they not investing in me as someone they want to keep in this field nor investing in me as a potential long term employee.
I am very discouraged about making this my career now, although I absolutely love the job itself- the “politics” of it is making me crazy. Time and time again I am being proved that your work ethic and dedication/passion is meaningless to your job and it is all about who you know.