Wait, but If You’re a Pilot Then Why Do You Want to Work Here?

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

by Rachael Altman, Head Editor, INALJ Illinois

Wait, but If You’re a Pilot Then Why Do You Want to Work Here? Are You Sure You Don’t Want to Fly?: Meet Annie Bahu, Assistant Editor, INALJ Illinois

AnnieBahuRachael: Favorite Library you have been to?
Annie: I’m pretty nostalgic and have to go with my childhood library – Flossmoor Public Library. It will always feel like home to me and had great summer reading and teen programs.

Rachael: Favorite book?
Annie: A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Rachael: Favorite website/blog?
Annie: theSkimm – daily email with current events/news in bite-sized portions that lets me determine which stories I want to seek more information on.RachaelAltman

Rachael: Favorite thing about libraries/library technologies?
Annie: I love how libraries adapt to meet the needs of their community or organization. Whether it is the military base family library, the aviation technical library, or my local public library, they all provide a variety of services that meet the (sometimes very specific) needs of their audiences.  I really like the service aspect of libraries.

Rachael: If you could take any of your hobbies and create a job of it or integrate it into your job, what would it be? And how?
Annie: I love being physically active outdoors, whether it’s hiking or running in a park or snorkeling; I would love to work in a library that was part of a park system or somehow incorporated being in nature with the daily job.

Rachael: How did you get your current job?
Annie: I wanted to serve in the military and couldn’t afford to pay for college so I joined ROTC and was commissioned into the Army immediately following my graduation. I went to graduate school at the School of Library & Information Studies at The University of Alabama online while still in the Army and I just graduated in August. After seven and a half years as a helicopter pilot, I am quite excited to pursue a job as a librarian and a lifestyle that has a bit more stability.

Rachael: Best piece of job hunting/career advice?
Amy: I’m just starting the hunt and I can already tell it can be very frustrating and discouraging, but having a way to de-stress (whether it is working out, enjoying the great outdoors, baking, or whatever your hobby may be) has really helped me maintain a positive attitude.