My job
From thefridayfive:
- What job do you have, and why do you like/hate it? I'm a volunteer at Out On The Shelf. I like having a set of procedures to follow, knowing what is expected of me, and knowing my work is appreciated. The library is more orderly than my personal life, and it's a relaxing place to spend time. I also enjoy the spontaneity of responding to visitors' requests and enquiries. It feels good to offer a valuable service: a resource library for queer adults and youth, and a safe place for them to come and hang out. It's run entirely by volunteers, and the other staff are committed, literate, enjoyable people.
- As a kid, what did you want to be when you "grew up?" The first field I remember investigating seriously, in about grade seven, was botany. During high school I wanted to become an architect. But I have been trying to write novels since I was in grade two. Writing was always the thing I wanted to do most, but it was never presented to me as a viable profession.
- Is the job you have now anything like what you imagined as a kid? I liked helping in the library in elementary school, and practically lived there in high school. I have always liked libraries, but never considered working in one until recently.
- Do you have a five-year career plan? To be working part-time in a bookstore or library, and deriving income from freelance writing for magazines and newspapers. I would like to have published a novel.
- In order to get the job of your dreams, is there anything you wouldn't do? Why? I will not work in a rabbit warren or large hierarchical organization where I have no choice but to write what other people tell me to write, where creativity is dead. I've already gone crazy that way once.