IDT Jobs

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 promo

I currently work as a self-contained special education teacher in Mesquite Texas.  My previous experiences in education were as 6^th grade science and reading teacher.  I love what do in the special education field, but constantly reflect back to my time as a reading teacher and the “fight” to encourage students to become engaged, enthusiastic readers. I already hold a graduate degree in reading and am now working on my Library Science degree with the goal of becoming a school librarian. I feel called toward the library as a means to motivate larger masses of students to find a love for reading.  Working with an individual class in regard to reading is wonderful, but the idea of motivating an entire school community seems like the challenge I want.   

The greatest issue I feel ahead of me is to become more proficient with the technological aspects of the modern library.  Understanding the general interests of students in regards to reading has become the basal level of a librarian’s challenge of reading motivation.  Understanding the science involved within the field is very important, but I feel that it has become increasingly important that librarians embrace the multitude of new media available to schools and students at home.  Being a school librarian is more than the circulation of books, it involves the management of the full array of resources available in the library. We must be up-to-date with the media available as well as the content that addresses the community’s interests and needs. This involves controlling a budgeting for the year, selecting appropriate books, developing resources for teachers and creating lessons that address the needs of the school.  My goal is to become a state-of-the-art, ahead of the game and dialed in to the needs of my population librarian.

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? 

My desired application is strictly in the educational setting involving school aged students.  I feel that I am better suited to pass on my love of reading to younger minds, but I will be armed with the skills to assists and encourage older users as needed.  When paired with my previous graduate degree, my techno-geek husband and the final courses in the LIS program I feel that I have the knowledge, and resources, available to step right in and successfully guide a school library.   

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

I think two organizations would help me most with my learning after I have graduated would be the American Librarian Association and Texas Association of School Librarians.  The American Librarian Associations offer a lot of knowledge about being an efficient librarian with tips and webinars and ways to incorporate technology in my environment.  Texas Association of School Librarians would help me by offering workshops to help be become more efficient and would help me set up my library.  This would allow me to interact with my students and offer up to date innovative and engaging library facility while helping me become a leader at my school.