Changes

Amazing how things can change in the span of a few days. As of tomorrow I will end my two year run as a Graduate Student Assistant with the Humanities Department at my current University. I could not have asked to be put with a more eclectic, intelligent, kind, and resourceful group of librarians. I had fun and learned a lot from my five bosses, and will miss them each as I move away. Pat presented me with a goodbye card signed by all the team members and a travel coffee pot as a parting gift. Even more meaningful is that before she went onto the desk she showed me how to finagle the fax machine.

I have found a subleaser for my apartment and am attempting to move out in the next few weeks and by few I mean two. Next week brings an information interview in DC and even more surprises. Did I mention I graduate in a few days? It's a scary feeling.

I won't forget the University of Maryland and the wonderful faculty that have impacted me and challenged me during my time there. I hope to keep in contact with them as I move to Manassas.

Post exams, Pre-graduation

Filling in the few days between exams and graduation I'm trying to do many things at once:

1. Attempt to find a subleaser for my apartment
2. Apply for jobs (3 so far this week, expecting several more in the coming days)
3. Wrap up things at my current job at the University of MD
4. Pack to potentially move in June or July
5. Sign up for networking and career building events
6. Prep for DC Annual in June.

I have another informational interview at the Folger Shakespeare Library in a few weeks, after graduation. This time I'll be talking to someone in Special Collections. I also signed up today for a massive university related job fair in DC, put on by my Alma Mater, JMU. A few of my friends are going and I'm trying to convince more of my alumni friends to come too. Third on the list is a discussion group with DCLA called "Making the Most of ALA Annual". I'm signed up to go and I've never been exposed to a convention this huge that didn't have to do with anime. So getting advice from people in the field and conference attenders will be a huge help.

There are fun things involved as well, my friend's LOST finale party as well as spending graduation time with my folks. You've got to keep a balance between work and play after all.

DC Public Library twitter connections

I want to plug how a little communications can be an amazing thing. I saw an advertisement on twitter that a branch of the DC Public Library was offering to fix bikes for free. It was the Northwestern One Public Library I believe, in Downtown DC. I showed up with my boyfriend with both our bikes and there was a friendly, long haired red-head man fixing up everybody's bikes. We stood in line and Nelson even pumped up other people's tires to kill time. The man in charge was very friendly and I couldn't believe I'd found something this awesome on twitter. The moral is that you should follow all the libraries you attend or support!

Done, but not finished

As of last night I have officially finished all of my coursework for my graduate degree. I even got an e-mail from my professor telling me I have an A in the class. I'm waiting to hear from the next one. Now it's on to other responsible things like moving and finding a job.

I can't believe the amount of incredible people I've met and the experiences I've had at the University of Maryland, College Park. I will cherish all the memories I have there, the people I've met, the professor I've learned from, and the skills they taught me.

I'm sure I'll come back for another degree in the next 10-15 years. I envision coming back for a Masters Degree in English.