Teaching vs Chartered Librarian

[UnlimitedCake]

I am currently considering two career paths - both of which would require a degree/masters. I am currently working in a library and I have seen a distance learning part time degree which would result in a professional librarian status, this could potentially be funded by my employer.

I am also considering primary teaching. I would need to start from scratch and complete a degree then a PGCE. I would also need to resit my maths and science GCSEs.

Seeking opinions on both careers - teacher vs librarian.

Another option is drama teacher - I have a degree in acting/theatre and could go straight onto the PGCE after passing my Maths/Science GCSEs.

Currently my job is low paid and my degree is not relevant to teaching primary.

Seeking thoughts on which path to take, I am in my mid 40s. Thanks ☺️

If you just want to teach then drama teacher is a much shorter path.

I don't know how much demand there is for drama teachers. You would also be teaching teens and not everyone wants that.

Primary teaching - that is a very long path. Even these days there are more primary teachers than slots. Would you be able to do the degree while working?

Teaching generally has a good salary but when you work out the hourly rate it can be quite low, because there is a lot of paperwork and marking and planning.

If your job will employ you as a librarian go for it, actual librarian jobs are rare.

BIL is a drama teacher and it seems hard - lots of schools have scrapped it as facilities are expensive, you definitely need another subject and the amount of unpaid work put into running shows seems enormous.

You can do a degree in primary education with QTS which would mean a three year degree and qualified teacher status so no need for a PGCE.

As PP says, actual Librarian jobs are rare and are being cut. As you are in the library sector now, could you not just take the ACLIP/MCLIP route through CILP? Unless you really want another degree?

Thank you. I didn’t know that was an option.

ACLIP/MCLIP - what are these? Sorry to ask a dumb question 🙈 The course I’m currently looking at is accredited through CILIP, it’s a distance learning degree that would be completed over 3-5 years alongside my job.

Thank you all for your replies. Definitely lots to consider and think about. I’m also open to other suggestions to retrain as something, something where the pay and job prospects/potential progression will be better than where I am now. Thanks ☺️

Where do you live? If a university town, might be more opportunities for library jobs.

If you haven’t got Maths/Science GCSEs that’s another barrier and time constraint. Are you ready to take them ?

Do you have a real desire for any of these jobs and practical experience of working with young people? If not, maybe a solid career path in a commercial job might suit you better. Teaching is a total grind of you’re not committed.

Yes in order to be considered for a teaching degree you would definitely need your Level 2 (gcse or equivalent) qualifications in English, maths and science. You may be able to complete these through an access course. In order to do a BEd with QTS you will need to do this at a university as part of the qualification is placements, over the three years you will spend lots of time in schools (about 20-25 weeks).

I am living in a university town, also happy to travel if the right job came up. I am currently studying via learn direct to resit my maths/science GCSEs. I don’t have any experience of working with young people apart from organising and running events in my local library. I have never worked in a school etc, I do library outreach to schools to promote library services etc.

Do you have an ideas on what kind of commercial job might be a better route? Thank you.

I would go for librarian, especially as you're already working in one. Cilip are in the process of launching some on the job qualifications so I probably wouldn't do the masters unless you have a real desire to learn the content of the course.
You'll never be wealthy with library work but there are nice roles and colleagues. It's interesting.
Unless you have a vocational desire to do drama teaching, then do that.

If you already have a degree you don't need another degree before taking a PGCE to train as a primary teacher. But before you even consider teaching spend some time in a school and talk to some teachers. Every teacher i know is extremely stressed. Both secondary and primary teachers..
Library work sounds much nicer and you have some experience but I don't know how easy it will be to get work.
What do you do now? Think about what you enjoy and what you don't. And what you are good at.

You can qualify as a drama teacher, get a bit of experience as a supply teacher, then teach primary - not a path I personally would enjoy, but an option.

This is a bit insulting to primary school teachers. Qualify as a secondary drama teacher, do a bit of supply and then you can magically cope with the curriculum requirements of 5~11 year olds, teach across a range of subjects, behaviours, SEN. If only! And of course schools will be queuing up to employ you because it’s not as if there isn’t an over supply of applicants in primary for good schools …

Working as an NHS librarian/knowledge professional can be interesting and rewarding.

www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/health-informatics/roles-health-informatics/knowledge-and-library-services

I am a teacher and my husband a librarian in a university. He earns more than me and I am on the top of the class teachers pay scale + a bit extra for leadership. My workload is much higher than his. Some days I have more fun at work than him:) He is increasingly doing online teaching/ tutorials.

Teaching is a vocation. Yes it is stressful but I love it and find it incredibly rewarding. I would definitely try and get a bit more experience first to know it’s right for you, especially if considering a BEd.

As a PP has said, you wouldn’t need to do another degree to train to teach Primary, but you would almost certainly need to get some more experience of working with children/in a primary school. The hours are long and it can be very stressful, but it’s an incredibly rewarding job, knowing the difference you are making in children’s lives.

The number of primary vacancies varies hugely across the country. In some areas it is very competitive, in other areas there are huge shortages in Primary. Where I’m based we really struggle for good applicants.

I don’t know anything about librarian jobs though. My old school had a librarian and I’ve often thought that’d be a lovely job!

https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/ProfessionalRegistrationlevels

https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/ProfessionalRegistrationCertification

https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/ProfessionalRegistrationChartership

These are on the job levels of training for library, leading to chartership. You do still have to pay membership fees and then enrolment fees for each level, but it's cheaper than a degree. You put together a portfolio of work. I should think you could do certification straightaway in your current role.

I don’t think she has a degree, she is working towards her English, maths and science and will then be considering a degree or distance learning.

I currently hold a BA Hons in Acting and Theatre from drama school.

Just don’t do teaching……..

l left it, it’s now like rats off a sinking ship. There is a reason for this.

Frankly I would not bother with librarian if you are thinking of public libraries. You are very very unlikely to get a well paid job. My husband did his training over 20 years ago. There are very few actual librarians left and he has worked in library management for over 15 years now which does not really require a specific qualification.

If you are in a Uni type environment and your employer sponsors you that’s fine. I think my husband’s MA was over 2 years and he got day release.

Most academic or law libraries are quite specialist though and you need to know about the actual subject. I worked in a law library for a couple of years part time but have a law degree.

It isn't an insult, it is the legal situation. Secondary teachers are qualified to teach in primary, you don't need a primary qualification. And no, there is no shortage of vacancies to choose from. Not here, anyway. I've done it myself to fill in when I didn't want to go straight back to secondary.

Teaching honestly is the gardest job ever. I have done both jobs (actually i easng i chartered librarian) but was called a librarian (same job less pay!)

Would pick that over teaching any day however its harder to find a job