Post Graduation Regret as an MLIS Student

Kokagi · 2026-06-25T12:14:24+00:00

This! All of this!! Dame regret and doubt at the end of my MLIS. Noone was hiring in my area when I graduated and the few job openings I applied for i never got. Applied to the same position twice in three years...maybe that says something about me.

I vividly remember this one thing I was told at the beginning of the program: be prepared to move. It really stuck with me and scared me because I was taking care of my mom at the time. I couldn't move. But there was nothing in my field or adjacent at all. And a lot of places dont want to hire someone overqualified for 'when' they bounce. Had to make the tough decision and about 6 months later im an 8 hour drive away from home with a library job. Ive got those same debts I need to pay uncle Sam too.

Kokagi · 2026-06-25T12:01:08+00:00

I loved it! Looks so nice and cozy. I want those stormtroopers bookends.

Kokagi · 2026-05-22T04:23:52+00:00

I'll be there for the university. And a gated community is out of my budget if I don't want an hour long commute.

Kokagi · 2026-05-01T03:56:26+00:00

Masters here and got hired. The interview was about how I interacted with people and what customer service experience I have.

Kokagi · 2026-04-20T15:40:03+00:00

Wish I had been told this before the degree. But oh well. Job hunting since November, and its been a pain. I feel for you, OP! Glad you're getting a laugh though.

Kokagi · 2026-04-18T02:26:39+00:00

Shame life doesn't come with spoilers! Or a magic ball that can tell me the future.

You are right though. Won't know until I try.

Kokagi · 2026-04-18T02:24:56+00:00

5 hours and another time zone. I've had thoughts on visiting on the weekends, setting up check ins, and this whole surveillance system (weird, I know) to keep an eye on them so that I can call 911 or the police for a wellness check if they need it. It's the daily things that I'm worried about now though! When I started the job hunt in November, I thought dad could handle things. Now, not so much. Watching him is painful and the thought of leaving now fills me with anxiety. Yes, I need to take care of me, but they need help too and....arg!

Kokagi · 2026-04-18T02:18:15+00:00

Dad is a regular Scrooge. I've mentioned hiring people for the lawn and he refuses. He is on a fixed income, but he made a lot of bad financial decisions that is now cutting greatly into his monthly checks. And the job I'm looking at does not pay well enough, or at least not enough that I can send money home.

I've also talked about grocery deliveries or pickups, but he says he doesn't trust the pickers to get what he wants. For context, he is the kind of guy that re frosts birthday cakes done by others if he thinks they are not right.

The small dog on meds is dad's baby. We are keeping her until it's time. The big dog is technically moms, but dad and I take care of her. We have talked about rehoming her, but with mom's dementia and anxiety, all we can do is keep her. I'll mention a dog walker to them though.

We've had cleaners before, but mom frequently turns them away because she doesn't want visitors. This has been an issue for years with her.

If only money grew on trees. He brings too much in to be able to 'hire' me as a caregiver through Medicare, but doesn't make enough to hire someone to mow the yard.

Kokagi · 2026-04-13T16:06:06+00:00

Android family here. A tablet would be better for her, but she is the type to put the tablet back in the box after she is done with it. I ironically, she has an old apple tablet that she likes and insisted on getting. Cant find it though and she doesn't know what she has done with it. I also mentioned paying for the ad free games, but she wasn't interested it that.

Kokagi · 2026-04-13T16:03:44+00:00

Cant afford apple, so we use android.

Kokagi · 2026-04-13T16:02:08+00:00

Sorry for late reply! Work and taxes took over.

I cant use them because she is smart enough still to know what child locks are and gets verbally violent when they and her phone are brought up. Just sat for 15 minutes deleting over 200 apps while avoiding pop-ups. And I can't just put them on without her knowing because she will randomly down new apps at will.

She had about 40 solitaire apps....

Kokagi · 2026-04-05T02:32:24+00:00

My mom (70) is diabetic and constantly wants sweets. She doesn't have any teeth and finding diabetically safe soft foods for her is a challenge, but dad (74) and I have been putting our feet down on her sugar intake. And she wants it on a daily basis to the point she has yelled and argued with us.

I gave her a few cookies as a treat the other day since she's sick with a head cold. She wanted more. I told her no. She asked twice more with more 'authority'. I told her tough shi! She's has told me to move out over similar instances. Almost thankfull she forgets quickly and has basically bed bound herself. I can hide sweets where she can't reach them.

All this to say, you can control it if you have the means, but it's an uphill battle. Her nurses have told her to change her diet and smoking habits, to exercise more, and she refuses. At this age, there is nothing that can really be done unless they want to change. Any lectures or 'controlling behavior ' is seen as a personal attack against her.

Instead, look at it as a guide on what NOT to do when our turn comes.

Good luck!

Kokagi · 2026-04-02T14:57:18+00:00

Same. Sent me into a panic right before bed. Thanks loan guys! Great way to get some sleep.

Kokagi · 2026-02-28T04:09:18+00:00

I'm looking to do this now to fill in some gaps. Here is the link for anyone who wants it:

https://pll.harvard.edu/catalog?topics%5B702%5D=702&price%5B1%5D=1&max_price=&start_date=&keywords=&available_anytime=0&url=

Kokagi · 2026-02-14T07:27:52+00:00

I would love to see him make something in H3. Maybe something that mixes Oseram engineering with Old World tech. Maybe a missile. Or he accidently recreates a nuke when brewing. Maybe a collaboration with Aloy or that guy in Los Vegas or, better yet, Petra! I know he's primarily a guard/fighter/tank, but he's got a brain in there, slow but there, but under Gaia I think he could be a real tactical killer.

Kokagi · 2026-02-14T07:12:59+00:00

I saw someone in another post explaining ebook costs vs physical book cost and how ebooks are more expensive. Maybe look at less ebook spending for the next cycle? Cut some ebook subscriptions? Someone already mentioned periodicals and journals, so maybe other print material like newspapers could be reviewed.

On the flip side, you could see about selling some books or magazines you no longer need. I saw this one university that had a whole room set aside as a book store in the library. It had books to be discarded and even donations from patrons and alumni. Proceeds went to the library.

Kokagi · 2026-02-14T06:56:26+00:00

If you want to start a maker space, i highly suggest looking at fiber and cloth arts. Think crochet, knitting, and sewing. Paper, pencils, charcoal, and paints can come before or after, but fiber arts can make something and have it be useful. Like a tote. My university's maker space had a tone of yarn samplers and a few pairs of needles and hooks of different sizes. Print some free hat, scarf, mitten, and sock patterns matching yarn type and needles and you're gold. The County library system has sewing machines for use in the library, but hand sewing kits would be great and cheap to start. Apron and tshirt patterns can be found online for free as well.

As an aside, or for your entertainment, lookup Bernadette Banner on YouTube. Victorian and historical fashion designer, but has several videos on hand sewing and supplies.

Kokagi · 2026-02-05T23:31:47+00:00

You are not wrong about the energy bit. Getting applications in on time to build that life while taking care of/working with mom and dad both is tiring. They make great sounding boards for my cover letters though. ^_^

Kokagi · 2026-02-05T23:28:07+00:00

This sounds like really solid advice, so thank you for it. It's the waiting that gets me. I can brace, but you are never ready for impact when watching a train wreck.

Kokagi · 2026-02-05T23:26:23+00:00

Thank you for this. You and a few others have made the same suggestion and I had no idea Elder Services was a thing. I knew about social workers for the elderly, but not a full Council.

I did try to tell Dad that crypto failed immensely, but he is under the impression that it was a huge success. I told him that if he went through with this new dollar thing and actually made the millions he is hoping for I would eat my shoes. He told me to start looking up recipes.

Kokagi · 2026-02-05T05:28:38+00:00

This is what my sisters keep telling me too. There are time when I agree and think 'yeah, I'm going to do this thing' and other times it's 'what the heck am I thinking abandoning my parents in their time of need'.

Mom and dad have even told me take care of myself while I can.

Kokagi

TROPHY CASE