Week 6: Getting an IDT Position and 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?).

Currently, I am in my 6^th year of teaching 6^th grade Social Studies in Garland ISD. I love my job and enjoy working with my students every day. I am currently enrolled in the Educational Technology – Library Science program at TAMUC. I came to the program after being inspired by my mom (an elementary school librarian) to pursue a job in school libraries. When I graduate, I hope to stay within my current district and transfer to a position as a middle school or high school 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 WorkMatrixTM 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?

I really do enjoy the public school setting and so I see myself continuing in that sort of organizational structure on the future. The WorkMatrix solidified my understanding of myself as a mostly-first level service provider. I feel there are some aspects of the third level that could apply to what I would like to do in my role as a school librarian. I think the job description of librarians will continue to change as technology becomes an increasingly essential aspect of education.

I believe that one of the features of work that are important to me is community. I would ultimately hope to find a position at a school where the role of the librarian both as a professional and as a technology facilitator is one that is respected. I feel like this would also help me to cultivate a school environment where teachers and librarians work as a team to design instruction and interactions with students that will help them grow as readers and learners in general.

I think I could easily see myself as a technology facilitator or a more traditional librarian at either a public or private school, so I hesitate to say that I would only consider working in the public sector. A private setting may pay less, but offer rewards in other ways.

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?

While I feel fully qualified to operate as an educator in a school setting, I know there are other aspects of the job of librarian that I need to master.  For example, even modern librarians must know how to catalogue and build a collection that meets the needs of their particular institution.  I feel like the program at TAMUC fully addresses the expectations for librarians in the modern school setting. I feel confident that I will obtain all of these skills by the end of my graduate program. Since I would like to become a librarian that is not afraid of incorporating new technologies and platforms into my work, it would be great to take electives that focus on these aspects of the job.

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?

Because I hope to be a technology-savvy library educator, I feel that organizations like ISTE and ITEA would be great options for me. I see no reason that these groups could no benefit me just as much before graduating as after. It is never to early or too late to surround ourselves with people and organizations that will encourage our growth and learning as educators and technology facilitators.