Six Strategies for Success
Paul Henriques, Contractor, U.S. Postal Service Headquarters Corporate Library, shares his ideas on professional development from the perspective of the young professional. Read on for his thoughts and some great tips too...
In discussing professional development, one would be remiss if they did not consult the wisdom of those who have toiled in libraries and information centers for years. However, another important perspective is that of new graduates who offer a window into what is a rapidly changing world in terms of career progression. Learning and networking has changed vastly in the past ten years alone. Young professionals, especially recent graduates like myself, have more often than not toyed with new technologies and sought new ways to advance their careers and improve their working lives.
In terms of libraries, the federal government offers information professionals a whole new world of possibilities. Federal positions level the playing field financially in comparison to other sectors of librarianship. The government pay structure ensures that those with graduate degrees, no matter what the field of study, are duly compensated.
Another important benefit of working as a federal information professional is the experience one encounters. While some federal agencies have closed their libraries, those which have retained them offer droves of information that is seldom, if ever, found anywhere else in the world. Given this scenario, librarians have the chance to become subject experts in particular areas of civil service, public policy and legislation, to name a few topics. This experience proves valuable in the private sector for those who might move on to a second career after federal employment.
On top of all this, Washington, D.C. offers a vast array of networking opportunities and associations that can help catapult information professionals, both young and old, into great careers. Mentoring, social events and continuing education classes are just some of the activities to be found in the region. The following are six easy ways to engage oneself in the federal information professional field:
1. Explore new ways of connecting with other professionals both inside and outside the federal information profession. In addition to attending conferences and seminars, search out social networking web sites where you can connect with others in your field. One example is Linkedin (www.linkedin.com), which offers professionals from all walks of life the chance to connect to one another via common acquaintances. Think of it as a MySpace for work, but as a forum where your resume can be showcased. Linkedin also offers the ability to write recommendations for individuals in your network and provides job listings that you can directly apply to off of their site.
2. Join a professional society or two. Organizations such as the Special Libraries Association (SLA), FedLink, and the American Libraries Association (ALA) offer a number of educational programs and training, from managerial topics to specific library issues. I personally belong to SLA and the DC Chapter is quite active, organizing everything from online and in-person seminars on topics of interest, to frequent dining events at some of the areas best restaurants. This is a great way to get to know your colleagues on a more informal basis.
3. Stay current with news surrounding your agency. Attending organization wide staff meetings and reviewing internal newsletters are good ways of putting a finger on the pulse of your respective agency. Oftentimes you can learn about what people in certain divisions are working on and stay ahead of requests for information. Being proactive about research will create a buzz for the library in your organization.
4. Given that some federal positions require a set number of training hours per year, use this time wisely. Show initiative by seeking out new conferences and seminars that might not have been attended by your peers in the past. Expressing interest in programs tailored to specific issues in your agency reflects positively come evaluation time.
5. For those not yet employed by the government, be aware there are ways other than through USA Jobs to find federal employment. Companies such as Library Associates (www.libraryassociates.com) and InfoCurrent (www.infocurrent.com) offer temporary, temporary to hire, and permanent contract positions in a wide range of agencies. It’s a good way to get your foot in the door and many positions eventually turn into federal jobs.
6. Call upon the resources of your alma mater. We have all paid a dear price for our degrees, both in time and money. It is up to you to get the return you desire on that investment. There are some who are unaware that career centers at these institutions serve alumni as well, most of the time free of charge. Information about jobs, continuing education classes, lectures, conferences and professional societies are on hand at these centers. While one should not solely rely on their university for professional development, it’s a good supplemental tool as the counselors can oftentimes lend direction towards the goal you are seeking.
These suggestions merely scratch the surface of what is out there in terms of continued learning and career development for information professionals. Having an MLS degree is a great thing, but don’t consider it the be all and end all. Today, there is great emphasis on lifelong learning in the workforce. In order to be effective, we as federal information professionals must take it upon ourselves to stay on the cutting edge. After all, since continuing education has gained so much momentum in the recent past, it is only natural that we will be called upon to assist those in their quest for higher knowledge.
