I AM A LIBRARIAN AND WANT A PHD! (roar!)
(commence rant - my opinion only obviously)
I am a librarian - I am a professional - I help connect people to information. I work reference, public services, whatever you want to call it. I do research for scientists and engineers at a research lab (and for the 1,000,000,000th time, no, we do NOT have students) and also an occasional Sunday at the local public library.

I still believe in research. I believe in libraries - libraries as place, libraries as collections, libraries for and as community. I believe in librarians - professional librarians with MLS degrees - who can organize said collection and who can help connect people to the information they need. I think the degree gives you valuable training and insight that you can't get from OJT.

I believe in library schools - professional training places. I actually kind of "get" iSchools sometimes when I squint really hard (for other information professionals - information managers, records managers, HCI professionals).

I want my PhD (and will start continue working on my comps proposal - I promise - as soon as I finish this rant!). I can't write for s$%+, I'm scattered, my husband is dead set against it, my in laws think I'm crazy, my dog is worried, my parents are supportive but don't know how to help... but I want it and I will do it! (even if it kills someone, hopefully not me)

1. I want to be proficient at gathering that research needed for evidence-based practice
2. I honestly believe that I can make a difference - I can study science/scientists, social software, scholarly communication, and help scientists do their work better and yes, eventually make the world a better place. I can help science librarians and science libraries *be* better. Maybe one day, I can help train new science librarians (but it will never be my first job - I am still a librarian)
   
3. It's not just a piece of paper or a set of random hoops. It's a journey. It's an apprenticeship. It's a transformation. It's a beginning. There are hassles -- and more for me than for full time students -- but that's trivial. (I was in the Navy, so I know hassles and believe me, you know nothing of hassles)

(rant off)  ¶ 7:02 PM| |cites (technorati) |