Michael McWilliams …Success Story

This interview is over 1 year old and may no longer be up to date or reflect the interviewee/interviewees’ positions

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Naomi House’s interview with success story Michael.

michaelmcwNaomi:  How did you find your current job?
Michael:  An email listing through the comm_lissa@eden.rutgers.edu group mailbox listing; guess I was at the right place at the right time and the job and I found each other.

Naomi:  Favorite library you have been to?
Michael:  The one I am presently employed at; Why? Because I get to test and reproduce the results of my own professional and academic success and apply all that I have learned in “library school” to helping others achieve their own academic and professional goals.

Naomi:  Favorite book?
Michael:  The Last Days of Krypton by Kevin J. Anderson. The story is about the history of Superman before Superman. For anyone who enjoys a good story about the compromises of pride, ego and ills of a fallen civilization, its a good read. Think:  the Romans, Pompeii, in a far away galaxy. I would recommend it as a fitting read for enthusiasts and other interests before next week’s release date for the upcoming movie of same subject.

Naomi:  Favorite thing about libraries/ library technology?
Michael:  My favorite thing about libraries and technology is convincing people how to use technology in libraries to work smarter not harder. My interest in technology started long before I decided to attend library school with my professional background in user support service, business analytics, and technology training. I bring a lot of cross function skills and abilities to the industry of library services for the right library organization that is open to growth and implementing technology not just as and administrative resolve to working efficiently but also to build value in information usability.

Naomi:  Any websites or feeds or blogs we should be following?
Michael:  Honestly I don’t keep track of the blogs or feeds that I read on an on-going basis simply because I feel that much of the information is fleeting,  momentary and too subjective depending on the source. I take what I need from “these” sources, use it as it may apply to my current professional situation or circumstances and move to my next strategic professional goal or objective. Often times my goals, objectives and strategy for success evolves to quickly to sustain the subjectivity of how feeds and blogs are managed.  LinkedIn is probably my favorite of all website for learning about industry and the professional world that surrounds me.

Also I try not stay too focused on just library related digital information environments as I think there are many other professional industries that librarians could learn from in exposing themselves to the activities of other industry standards. I also subscribe to Inc. Magazine and Fast Company as I believe that the survival of  library environments and workflows within them exists in understanding the business of information and how technology facilities its evolution.

Naomi:  Best piece of job hunting advice?
Michael:  I can’t give advice, nor do I have the silver bullet for finding work. More than anything I can be an example of inspiration for continuing to evolve one’s career strategy. Keep reinventing both your personal and professional-self. If that means laying off SB and drinking instant for a spell or taking a MOOCs course to learn and grow from something new about the world you didn’t already know, in the immortal words of NIKE, “just do it”. Dust off your degree if you haven’t done so recently, and be proud of your accomplishments and the professional  “you” irregardless of your current circumstances. Stand up and yell to the world: “I am librarian hear me roar, lol”. Before you know it, the stars will align and you and the job that you “need” will meet. :o)

Hometown: New York, NY
Academic Benchmarks: BA: Syracuse University, Liberal Arts 1988, MS: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Management 2007, MS: Rutger University, Library Science 2013
Professional and Personal Interests: LLL (Life Long Learning) Technology and Learning Environments.
Vices: Comic Books & Graphic Novels, Ice Coffee ( Instant not SB or DD) and all thing Audio (digital or otherwise).