Developing yourself for an alternative career
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The document discusses the concept of pursuing an 'alternative' career within the library and information sector, highlighting various non-traditional roles and environments where librarian skills can be applied. It provides guidance on how to navigate this career shift through skills audits, networking, and customizing job applications while encouraging proactive approaches to learning and professional development. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of building professional networks and considering opportunities in related fields like archives, teaching, and knowledge management.
Developing yourself for an alternative career
- 2. Developing yourself for an ‘alternative’ career Bethan Ruddock @bethanar CPD25, Feb 2013 mimas.ac.uk
- 3. Bethan Ruddock Content Development Officer, Library and Archival Services, Mimas, University of Manchester mimas.ac.uk
- 4. Bethan Ruddock MCLIP CILIP Mentor Member, CILIP Future Skills Project Board Board member, SLA Europe SLA Europe ECCA 2009 SLA Rising Star 2010 Author, New Professional‟s Toolkit mimas.ac.uk
- 5. What is an „alternative career‟? Depends what you think of as traditional! Can be: • A traditional role in a non-traditional environment • A non-traditional role in a traditional environment • A non-traditional role in a non-traditional environment Whatever it is, it will use your librarianly skills and knowledge – and you might get to learn interesting new ones, too! mimas.ac.uk
- 6. How did I get here? Mimas Graduate Trainee, University of Manchester Library, 2006-7 MA Library & Information Studies, MMU, 2007-8 Copac Challenge Fund Officer, Mimas, 2008-9 Content Development Officer, Library & Archival Services, Mimas 2009-now How did I get this job? I took a chance, and applied! mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/wes2theg/2913960324/
- 7. What do I do? Take in data from libraries & archives in the UK, to make them searchable from a single interface. My job includes: • Communications • Data handling (MARC, EAD) • Data manipulation (XML, XSLT, json, javascript) • Cataloguing knowledge (library & archival) • Project management • Teaching/training (archivists & archive students) • Presenting • Writing (articles, blogs, columns) • Enquiry handling • ... Could I do most of these when I started? No! mimas.ac.uk
- 8. My job requires me to be... A good communicator Teach & train Technically literate Enough to know what can and can‟t be done, and work with programmers Flexible Work on different projects & need to switch quickly Willing to learn Don‟t be scared of trying new things – always ready to have a go Proactive I need to identify and take opportunities An expert And willing to use that expertise Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessicafoley/4270697958/ mimas.ac.uk
- 9. Finding an alternative career • Decide what you want to do! • Skills audit • Write down everything you can do! • Think about: • What can you do? • What do you enjoy doing? • How can you do more of the stuff you enjoy? Look at job adverts for jobs you‟d enjoy – CILIP Professional Knowledge & Skills in 1/5/10 years time Base: http://www.cilip.org.uk/jobs- What skills/experience are they asking careers/professional-knowledge-and-skills- for? base/pages/professional%20knowledge%2 What are you missing? Plan to fill gaps. 0and%20skills%20base.aspx (free to members, or £25) Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/squeakywheel/296747265 mimas.ac.uk
- 10. Finding an alternative career • Look for jobs that use the skills you identified in your skills audit • Try different keywords • Look in professional press for the area/sector you‟re interested in • Look beyond “librar*” • Information • Communication • Research • Training • Data handling • Outreach • Support • Metadata Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/boliston/3966640589/ mimas.ac.uk
- 11. Applying for jobs • Tailor your application to that job. • Speak the language of the organisation • Don‟t use librarian/info pro/sector jargon! • Be explicit, not implicit. • Don‟t expect them to make the connections between your experience and their needs – lay it out for them. • Prepare to be Googled • Have a good online reputation that showcases your professional skills • Be brave! A job application costs you nothing, except a little time and effort, and the rewards can be huge. • Evidence doesn‟t just have to come from the job mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/timothygreigdotcom/4975771901/
- 12. How did I get here? Awards & Professional Involvement The power of the network! Found out about the SLA Europe ECCAs though my network Expanded network before/during/after conference • Tweeting, blogging, talking! Say „yes‟! Images used under CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/benmurphyonline/6873894062/, http://www.flickr.com/p hotos/joeshlabotnik/3584172834/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancechambar a/4604071067/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyefruit/179553810/, http://www.flickr.co m/photos/chrisjohnbeckett/5970945748/ mimas.ac.uk
- 13. Building your networks • Good professional networks are based on trust & respect • Be generous – give and receive • What can you do to help them? • Make new contacts • Talk to people at conferences – attendees and vendors • Online social networking can make you more comfortable approaching people • You will often find out about jobs and opportunities through word of mouth, rather than adverts. • Don‟t be scared of asking for help! • People feel valued mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobbygreg/168206195
- 14. How did I get here? New Professional‟s Toolkit Share, care, dare the work about to take you do helping chances on others in yourself & their work others mimas.ac.uk
- 15. Looking for something even more alternative? How about a career in a related field? You could try Archives Teaching Technology Research Publishing Cultural heritage Knowledge management Communications Community relations mimas.ac.uk Image used under a CC licence from http://www.flickr.com/photos/duncan/99863704/
- 16. So what do I do next? Skills audit: think about what you can do and what you want to do Look for job adverts – use the skills you‟ve identified as keywords Identify skill gaps and think about how you can fill them Create an online presence. Expand your network. Make the most of what you do by sharing it – blog, put papers & learning objects in repositories And take time to appreciate what others share Take a chance! Contact someone, apply for a job, volunteer for a committee And don‟t feel bad about asking for or offering help mimas.ac.uk
- 17. [email protected] @bethanar http://lisnewprofs.com Sign outside Boise State University Library, from mimas.ac.uk http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelinlibrarian/223839049/ 17