Jason’s New Career

Many of you might be unaware that I am not teaching anymore, and am preparing to return to school for a graduate degree. Over the past year, it became apparent to both Jen and myself that my career as a teacher was having a very negative impact on our relationship. Though I did not do any work at home, I certainly brought my work home with me - meaning my frustrations, my gripes, and the bad mood that I generally had by the time I left the high school. We decided it would be best for me to find another career, so in 2008, I resigned my position as a Social Studies teacher and began looking for a new job. Little did we know that the economy would go sour at about the same time. I had a few job interviews, but nothing came of them. Jen and I discussed me going back to school, but we weren’t sure exactly what I would do if I went back.

We looked at many lists, ideas, and researched several career fields. I took a few personality tests to see what I would be suited for. After much research, we came to the conclusion that a master’s degree in Library and Information Science would be a good fit for me. Why? Well, first, I love to organize and categorize (as you might have noticed from my facebook profile). LIS also uses my skill-sets from education, as well as history. I feel that it is a career I can help other people in, and not have all the stress of teaching, and far less of the suffocating bureaucracy too. According to what we have read, LIS is one of the most employable, and fastest growing fields in the job market - even now with the recession on. I am excited about this new career, and the possibilities it holds for Jen and myself.

Why Syracuse Univeristy? It is the third ranked LIS program in the country with one of the highest employment rates after graduation. Also, the distance based learning format is very straightforward and easy to understand. Graduates of the LIS program at Syracuse are very well equipped for the field, and are highly employable. After talking with all the other schools I applied at (Rutgers, University of Washington, University of North Texas, and Syracuse), I felt that Syracuse was the best fit for me - challenging, employable, and they are very interested in me as an individual, not just as a source of revenue. The program starts with a nine day residency this July, and I can return to campus next summer to take some hands on courses if I like.

All in all, we are very excited and grateful about my returning to school. I’ll keep you updated through here - not just about school, but about important things in our lives, as well as my thoughts on photography, music, books, and the Library and Information Science field.

Thanks for stopping by!

- Jason Dean