6 Ways You Stay Limited and Stuck in Your Career

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2011/08/25/6-ways-you-stay-limited-and-stuck-in-your-career

While I am employed, I am hoping to make a "career change" within the next year or two. And when I'm not bogged down by class work, I tend to think ahead, post MLIS. Silly? Yes. But it passes the time, I suppose.

This article is hokey, I'll admit. But while the economy is a big factor for getting a job/keeping a job- I think attitude plays a big part. I worked at the same charter school for 3 years. The first year I wasn't thinking of changing jobs- but about halfway through the second I hit the ground running. I job searched (and not just in education- I was willing to work almost anywhere) for almost 2 years and only got a few interviews. It was a not fun experience- you self doubt, degrade yourself and overall feel like you're in a rut. In comparing notes with other friends who've been unemployed or job searched/searching during this economy- similar feelings abound. And while I felt pretty hopeless, I tried to use that for motivation. It was hard, but in the end all the negative feelings I felt towards my job I channeled into finding something better. And whenever I talk to people who are experiencing the same feelings as me and are seriously self doubting their skills- I had a great interview for my current job after probably my worst weekend in a while (not the worst ever, but not great either)- ended a seven year relationship and my kitchen flooded. The plumber literally left 30 mins before I had to leave for the interview.
So while it's easy to pass off an article like this as hokey- it does offer good advice. Don't self doubt, take chances and just keep on truckin'. If you feel you're getting nowhere, take a step back and evaluate your process- maybe there's something you can tweak.
I thought I was a long shot as well- a background in education and now I work on databases all day.