Do my Goals Match my Ideal Job?

Hello, Readers!

Over the last several weeks, I have done a lot of “talking” about my personal goals, professional associations, and actual job listings that match what would be my ideal jobs. Now that I am 7 weeks into the program, I have been challenged to see if the job listing I chose earlier actually fit into the personal goals I listed during week 3. I think this is an important practice for anyone to do in the course of their study in order to identify if what you want is what you are working towards!  It helps to be able to focus and put time and energy towards things you want.

So here we go!

During week 3 when I posted my original personal goals/objectives, I was slightly vague because I was still working out a path myself.  I did state that I had hoped to work in resource preservation and archiving. While I mentioned working within the museum setting, I revealed I also had an interest in working with resource preservation and archiving in an academic library setting, as well.

I think that this goals do fit into the job description I listed in my last posting of University Librarian for Special Collections and Archiving.  As described in that job posting, the person would be working as part of a management team within the archiving field at an academic library. 

As of today, I am building a solid basis towards that role.

·         I am working towards my ALA accredited MLIS degree, as well as, a certification in Archival Administration.  I am mapping out a path through the courses so that I can take a variety of archival, management, and information technology classes.

·         I am applying to volunteer at not only the Detroit Institute of Arts, but also the Detroit Historical Society. This experience will allow me to have a solid basis of working within an archival field.

·         I am looking for a part-time job within a public or a smaller academic library, which helps to get “my foot in the door” for practical and professional librarianship experience.

·         By joining the NDSA student group at WSU, I will have access to various research projects involving digital technologies that I can get involved in.

·         I am continually building upon my communication skills (both written and oral), while working with groups and teams during my coursework.

·         And, I have a desire to continue my education after this degree and work towards a Ph.D.

Anyway, I know the road to this career will be long and there is always the possibility that I may get side tracked along the way. I am hoping that my drive and the support from my family and friends will help me to be strong and stay the course.  If down the road I find that my goals change, I hope to be brave enough to change my path, as well, to be in conjunction with my new goals.

 

At any rate, this evaluation practice is one that can be continually conducted and the results helpful to shedding light on if what you are doing is helping you to reach what you want, ultimately.

Thanks for reading and have a great rest of your day!