What's your occupation/job?

[Bogertophis]

I just turned 30, and I'm a librarian.

It sounds quiet, and relaxing, but it's actually the exact opposite. They don't tell you in school that you are essentially functioning as a social worker on a daily basis, despite our education being in research. Many patrons, for a variety of reasons, come to us as a last resort, so we get a lot of questions that you might not expect, ranging from simply finding a book, checking on the stock market, or learning how to use a computer, to locating resources that will help them find affordable housing for low income seniors, or how to apply for SNAP benefits.

I do enjoy the true reference aspect, and I like the collection and acquisitions process, but the patron interactions can become emotionally and mentally draining. A lot of people are kind and grateful for our help, but some others often forget that the person sitting at the desk across from them is a human being, and not just a government robot programmed to take unlimited amounts of venting and verbal abuse.

It's always so interesting to compare our expectations of a job to what someone actually sees who is in that position. I think this is what makes it so hard to choose a
career when we're young & in high school or college-age: you really need to walk a mile in someone else's shoes before following their career path. Nothing like actual
experience.