Thing 10

My  career!

I gained a BA (Hons) Humanities from Trent Polytechnic in 1983. I thoroughly enjoyed my course but was aware that other than demonstrate that I was capable of pursuing a degree, it didn't qualify me for a particular career. I suppose I began to think seriously about "what I'm going to do when I finish" in my final year. Teaching, Teaching English as a Foreign Language and Travelling the World were uppermost in my thinking. I then became aware of a Pre-Professional Trainee Programme with Nottinghamshire County Libraries. It was hardly Travelling the World but a career in libraries became more and more appealing. I used to speak with the staff of the Library at the Clifton Campus to find out more and I undertook some unpaid work (shelving) to gain some experience. This was in the days before Heath and Safety prevented this type of activity!
After graduation I applied for the  post of Pre-Professional Trainee,  was delighted to be interviewd and was delighted to be appointed.
My year's experience was varied  - from working in "Central" in the City Centre to the Branch Libraries. My work confirmed to me that for some people, the Library is central to their lives. I still remember some of the regular borrowers and still have some gifts (I don't suppose I would be allowed to accept gifts now!)
Before long it was time to think about Library School, but doubted my ability to secure a place. I was enjoying working as a Library Assistant but didn't think I would be offered a place at Library School and wondered whether I would cope. Applications were made and Leeds Polytechnic offered me a place on the PG Dip Lib and Info Sci course plus a Bursary thrown in! Not only a place - funding as well.
The course ran from January to December and was intensive. I found it pretty hard going but was successful. I keep in touch with some colleagues from the course (no- not by Blog or Twitter but by Christmas and Birthday cards with a note inside!)
I don't think there is a right or wrong way to enter into Librarianship. Everybody's circumstances are different. I just know that I was extremely fortunate in the opportunites which presented themselves to me, ie the opportunity to work on a voluntary basis, the opportnity to apply for the Pre-Professional Trainee post and the opportnity to apply for a Bursary. I gained a huge amount from my degree but then was able to focus on Librarianship after that when it could be said, I was more mature to cope.
Subsequently, my career in Librarianship  has always been in Higher Education and aways within the Science and Technology areas. Quite different from my backround but the challenge has always been rewarding

I appreciate that many colleagues have Masters' degrees. I am not pursuing this currently. My full time work and 3 chidren take up the most part of my time. I consider that at the moment, my efforts need to be focussed on the way IT developments are changing the face of Librarianship (left to my own devices I am a dinosaur) and also keeping abreast of teaching and Information Literacy skills. My PGCE was completed some years ago and so it is essential that I keep these skills relevant.

However, whilst I am fairly relaxed about not having a Masters' qualification or not pursuing one, I am not relaxed about my lack of Chartership. My Manager knows that this is the greatest thorn in my side and she has been entirely supportive to me. It just hasn't happened and I am not happy about this. Throughout my career as a Librarian my skills have develpoed and my roles and responsibilities have changed. In theory, I would be capable of completing my Chartership, but it is almost that I have so much experience on which to draw that I don't know where to start. As my career develops, this only exacerbates the situation.