This is an anonymous post from an Elpha member.

Help!

Posted in:Vents

Hello,

I have a master's degree in Library and Information Science from US and have worked in libraries for over 3 years. I've been actively looking for jobs in the US for a year, but it's been tough due to the competitive job market and the need for sponsorship. My visa is expiring soon. Any suggestions on what I can do right away?

I have also been involved in a few projects to gather experience in user research. Currently doing an unpaid apprenticeship for the same purpose and have been volunteering at a nonprofit for both skill enhancement and to utilize my after-graduation work permit. I am also looking into PhD programs for next fall.

Also, any suggestion regarding controlling attention span (time blocking or removing distractions didn't work. time blocking increases my anxiety of running out of time.) and ways to increase productivity?

Thank you a ton fro hearing me out. :)

Iynna·Jul 24

Thanks for sharing, OP!You may want to connect with @carriewickmandorn who is offering a sliding career coaching programme https://elpha.com/posts/z6enm3rk/offering-sliding-scale-career-coachingAs for your productivity:- turn your phone B&W - the light will be less distracting and you'll be less encouraged to use you phone/apps- put a time limit on certain apps - like the ones you know you spend too much time on- consider a digital detox ie get off social media for a period of time if you find it's a gigantic time suck- @TanyaGupta is going through a similar situation esp with visa https://elpha.com/posts/9139tcbg/seeking-help-for-data-analyst-or-business-intelligence-analyst-roles- a PhD is great but what do you want to do it in and what's your end goal? Is it to buy yourself some time? You could get a master's in something more STEM and get the STEM extension on your OPT as well.

Rosia183·Jul 24

This is OP. Thanks for the resources. Pursuing a PhD would provide me with more time and better preparation for the job market. Additionally, a PhD program would be more affordable compared to another master's degree.

Iynna·Jul 24

then do a PhD - sounds like it's the route to take

Kris75·Jul 26

Please research very carefully what the careers of PhDs in your field look like. I don't know if you were thinking of going ahead with Library and Information Science or something else. But please do not spend years of your life and lots of money on a PhD only to find yourself in the same place 5, 6, 7 years down the line, but with more debt. I happen to know lots of working librarians, and lots of PhDs, but that Venn diagram has no overlap.

Iynna·Jul 27

This is a very insightful response! PhDs are often seen as overqualified aka expensive and a lot of career opps are blocked as a result, unless you do something more technical like PhD in machine learning or whatnot, you’re pretty much constrained to academia which is perfect if that’s what you want!

Rosia183·Jul 27

I am strongly hoping to find a way to have it fully funded. The rest is up to Allah! x_x Thanks again for your suggestion :)

Rosia183·Jul 27

Thanks for the heads up. I am interested in HCI, the focus is yet to be specified though. I have a mentor with whom I discuss this stuff. If you have any insight as to what to do not do, can you share them with me? :)

Kris75·Jul 29

I do not know what HCI is but Google gives me Human-Computer Interaction as an option. I do not know what PhDs in this area do, or if you would do a standard Comp Sci PhD with HCI as your research focus. I did a STEM PhD, and I will tell you what my undergrad prof told me: if they want you, they will pay you. No way should you pay tuition and fees for a STEM PhD and they should also pay you a stipend or salary.I only have my (long ago!) experience, but I was given a chance to get my PhD in a new area, one I was interested in. But in the end I decided it was a safer bet to stick with a traditional subject and just do my research in the new area. That has helped me, I think, because I can list my education as the traditional area, which is very broad, and it means employers give me credit for a broader set of knowledge.

Rosia183·Jul 30

(OP) thanks for sharing your experience. All my acquaintances who are pursuing PhD are fully funded. Didn't think from this (your) perspective. Will keep that in mind. Thanks a ton!!

Iynna·Aug 01

Check out this week’s OH guest who also got a PhD and is now on the field- but she’s very much in a more technical fieldhttps://elpha.com/posts/pvb1b44r/office-hours-i-m-the-head-of-research-at-tableau-i-m-vidya-setlur-ama

kaitlingraham·Jul 24

Have you looked into working at the library at the university you graduated from or another? I think universities are more likely to work with international candidates since they are experienced with international work study students.

Rosia183·Jul 25

(OP) I talked to one of the librarians there. She told me that the university hires international students as a librarian if they have another degree in another field. E.g., library and chemistry. Just a masters in my field isn't enough as an international applicant. Thank you for asking :)

cgbl·Jul 29

hello @Elvira110,I posted this article last year, but it is still useful:https://elpha.com/posts/9gjqlqd/were-you-laid-off-are-you-looking-for-a-job-i-want-to-help I hope you find a job soon. Good luck!

Rosia183·Jul 30

(OP) thanks a ton!!!!!!

Iynna·Aug 22

@mjrebolledo - OP might be a person to talk to re your project!!