“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” -Helen Keller
Just over 3 years ago I graduated with a masters in library and information science. I got married, moved out to Seattle and started looking for a library job. A library job that I still haven’t secured, 3 years later.
Not many people know that I recently interviewed for a library position and didn’t get it. Because of the way public library jobs work around here, getting this particular job rejection meant that I’m out of options to work in a public library around here, at least for the present.
With that door slamed shut in my face, I stood there and stared at it, shocked. I spent about a week walking around, feeling like a failure, and wondering what the heck I was even doing with my life. I attempted to pursue a couple supervisor positions at my current job, to no avail. Then I got the email.
Let me back up to the end of January. I’m not sure what prompted it, but I decided to look for and apply for reporter positions. After all, in my former life I was a reporter, and I did enjoy it. I applied to a position on January 28th, and promptly forgot about it when I didn’t hear back in a reasonable time. On February 20th I received the rejection email from the library. On February 26th, almost a month after applying, I received an email in response to the reporter position I’d applied to.
The position had been filled, but a part time news clerk position was open, and the editor was wondering if I was interested. It is a step down from what I used to do, but, 5 years after I left my reporter position I couldn’t really expect to pick up right back where I left off. Freshly hurt from my rejection, I decided to pursue it, mostly to see where it would take me.
Today I interviewed, was offered, and accepted the part time position. I will be doing events calendars, briefs and police blotters, but as time allows I should also be able to write a few stories a week. It’s perfect. I’ll be able to fit it into current job, and I’ll be easing back into writing regularly. Until I spoke with my new editor and walked through the newsroom…I didn’t realize how much I’d missed being in that environment.
It’s funny how things don’t work out…and it’s funny how they do.
While touring the newsroom and meeting my new, fellow employees, I ran into an acquaintance from church. As I explained my background, he was surprised to learn that my undergrad is in journalism. “Had I known,” he said, “I could have told you about various openings around here!”
I was so focused on getting a library job that I forgot my roots. I forgot my first love. Writing. I’ve always been a writer. I’ve always needed to write. Do I wish I’d mentioned my background to this friend 3 years ago? Of course, but the fact is, I didn’t, and yet here I am.
I think I needed to go through the process of searching for a library job, and being rejected. I still wonder if the decision to go back to school was the right one, but I’m trying to trust God, because He knows what he’s doing.
So here I am, right back where I started, writing. Is it where I thought I’d be, 3 years ago? Most definitely not. Is it where I should be, right now? I think so. I’m happy. I have purpose. And I’m no longer staring at that closed door. I’ve finally found my open door.
librarian, housewife, writer 