Being open to jobs in different library environments

Jennifer Crutchfield, Head Editor, INALJ Connecticut

Being open to jobs in different library environments

headshotBeing open to different library work environments is something I am finding useful in my library job search journey. When I went to school to become a librarian, I always thought I would be an Archivist and work at some historical society preserving and educating. I didn’t think much about doing anything else. Everyone knows that sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way you expect. This has definitely happened to me in the past five years since library school.

Though my dream job is to work at a historical society or university archives, I am gaining a lot of experience working in different environments until I get there.  I have worked in an academic library, archives, a corporate library, and a medical library. I am becoming a well-rounded information professional that can adapt to all types of libraries and repositories. Building your resume through various library experiences and making connections through these experiences are going to help you when you find that dream job you have been waiting for.

Students and new professionals need to know (and most already do know) that you may not get your dream job right away. But why not gain experience and skills during the time in between. Why not try different library roles and expand what you have to offer? It can’t hurt! I’m finding that I’m enjoying all these different experiences. I really like learning about different libraries and different information professional roles. Perhaps different experiences will lead you to change your idea of your dream job or maybe it will confirm what you believe is your true role in the library world.