[hcykana]

I've been reading a ton of threads about the experiences people have had getting jobs. I have to admit, I'm more than a little scared.

Here's my situation:
I have a BA in History and a MLS in Library Science and Information Systems. These degrees were earned from accredited institutions in 1998 and 2001. I've never used the history degree for anything, other than to prove that I did, indeed, go to college so that I could get into my Master's program. When I finished my Master's program, I never did anything with the degree. My library experience is limited to my tenure as a student supervisor in the library at undergrad, and my 6 month internship while getting my MLS. So not only is my actual experience limited but it's also more than 5 years old.

This is because I've been working as a web designer/developer for the past 8 years (with hobbiest sites up for the past 10). Obviously, neither degree has much to do with my profession. I took a web design course in undergrad, and a couple relevant courses in my Master's program, but that's about it.

While I graduated with my MLS, I had a really good job in the web field, and couldn't find anything in library science that wouldn't force me to move far away and/or would require a 20k/year pay cut. Changing careers wasn't worth it at the time.

When we get to NZ, I would like to switch career paths more to the library side. Again, I'm a bit worried about the salary, but I think it'll be do-able. And moving.. well, we'll already have moved halfway around the world, so that's no longer an issue. However, while I have the degree, I have basically no useable experience. And it's not like I just graduated or anything.

I'm also willing to keep with the web track, as it's done well for myself and my family through the years. With this, I have the experience but NOT the degree. I could stretch the "Information Systems" part, I guess, but one look at my transcript would show how flimsy that gambit really is.

So I guess my question to you all here is, am I completely stuck? Would it be better to pursue the library field or the web field, based on my background? Should I just use the "shotgun" approach, and fire off CVs to everyone and everything?

Another thing to note, I guess, is that we're making this move on a fairly tight budget. I cannot sit around and wait for months to get a position. I'm literally prepared to pick fruit if I have to in order to make rent, although I'm hoping that I won't have to. Salary range is less important than steady income.

Thanks in advance for your input.

[Avalon]

My first thought is that all of this depends on the route you are taking to get a visa in NZ, what visa you are going for and, if you are coming in as a skilled migrant - do ou need a job or job offer to get enough points to be picked for PR.

Becasue basically - if you have enough points to get PR, then when you get here - you can do what you like for a job.

However - the problem comes if you dont have enough points to get pr. Now I have to be honest and say that I cant work out what your qualification mean for points - or indeed your work expeirence (my understanding of all this is now 18 months out of date anyway - coupled with the fact that teh UK and US education system is different). So you must double check what im aboout to say - but hopefully it gives you some pointers. :)

What I do know is that when we came through - your degree did not have to match your skills area. But your work experience does. And if you need a job offer to get enough points - then the job offer has to match your skills area as well.

So I think the first step is - what route are you takeing - and how many points do you currently have without a job offer?

Clear as mud?

[hcykana]

D'oh! I should have mentioned. I'm one of the lucky people who has it fairly easy. I'm married to a Kiwi, so I'm getting in under Partnership.

I'm not worried so much about getting PR... more like getting a job once I get there.

[leigh31]

Hi there!

I thought I would mention what I've found so far, in regards to graphic design jobs. (could you stretch web design to encompass graphic design for print, etc? lots of those jobs listed...) You may or may not have read that I've had a very difficult time getting a job in my field (tv). But, I've taken a few post grad courses at Parson's School of Design in NYC in graphic design, photoshop, illustrator, etc. So when I started having trouble in tv, I started looking into entry level jobs in graphics. What stopped me cold in my tracks, was that even entry level wants samples of your work.

Completely makes sense, but unforunately, I didn't bring anything to NZ (knowing me, I might not have even saved anything!)

It sounds like you're are extremely experienced, and I'm sure you have tons of samples of your work. Also on your side is that you're married to a kiwi, so you won't find the same trouble I'm having. I try to tell potential employers that I can extend my work visa after the year is up (which is true) but it still puts them off. Maybe I should just say I'm married to a kiwi, too....? :)

Oh, and if I were you - if you really want to switch career paths, you should definitely apply to library jobs. If you have some $$ saved up, just try for your "dream" jobs, and if that doesn't work - focus on the web jobs. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get a library job!

Anyway- good luck!
Leigh
P.S. when do you end up in NZ?

[Jo_b]

As a person who ended up (in the UK) working in areas broadly to do with information management (on the back of a geography degree of all things!) I'd say web work was very relevant to information.... I work on an Intranet and the logical structures, ways of accessing info, cataloging information etc are all basically information or knowledge management good practice - I'd start tapping the angle that what you've been doing all along was instilling good information management in websites, and making it look pretty to boot! Good luck!