{"id":58813,"date":"2014-01-22T12:12:54","date_gmt":"2014-01-22T17:12:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=58813"},"modified":"2014-01-21T11:08:00","modified_gmt":"2014-01-21T16:08:00","slug":"a-year-in-review-my-own","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=58813","title":{"rendered":"A Year in Review: my own"},"content":{"rendered":"

by R.C.Miessler, Head Editor, INALJ Indiana<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

A Year in Review: my own<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\"rcmiessler\"<\/a>So, 2013 wasn\u2019t the year I was hoping it would be.<\/p>\n

A year after graduating, I didn\u2019t score a professional library gig (although I was able to turn my volunteer work into a part time job in a library). However, I had plenty of opportunities to network with other librarians, refine my resume\/CV and cover letter, and practice interviewing.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Despite not getting the coveted librarian title, I recognize that I am a long way from where I was in January 2013<\/strong> \u2026 I have picked up a lot of skills, learned what I am doing right in my job search, and recognized a lot of things I have done wrong. It\u2019s all a part of being a lifelong learner and realizing that the interviews and applications aren\u2019t wasted time, they are practice for what will eventually happen. Each cover letter got stronger, and I found more applicable achievements and skills to put in my CV. I crafted stronger answers to interview questions and got caught off guard less often when someone on a search committee threw me a hardball. I figured out that there are some types of institutions that I would rather just not be a part of, and that sometimes the things I never thought I would enjoy about librarianship might become potential careers.<\/p>\n

And really, if I take seriously the philosophy of lifelong learning, that I expect myself and my patrons to have that attitude, then this year has been a chance to learn about myself and librarianship as a whole. Sure, it\u2019s been frustrating and depressing at times, but right when I think that I need to just give up and get a \u201creal job,\u201d some small victory will happen–there will be a sincere \u201cthank you\u201d from a patron or co-worker, or I\u2019ll be on a roll and knock out a bunch of original RDA cataloging without having to look at my notes every 30 seconds.<\/p>\n

So, there were successes this year despite the obstacles. Oh, my daughter was born this year too, so coming home to that from my non-library job helps ease the pain of rejection (at least until she\u2019s 12 years old or so),<\/strong> but it also makes the search a bit more desperate, as there is a new life that is depending on me for food, housing and insurance. But it\u2019s all just motivation to find the job that\u2019s the right fit for me (and for the library), to find myself in a place that I truly love going to every day and knowing that I\u2019ve found my vocation.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s to 2014, a year of applying what I\u2019ve learned in 2013.<\/p>\n

2013 Job Hunt Statistics:<\/strong><\/p>\n