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.

Lying Part II

I found an article from the Wall Street Journal entitled, "In Job Hunting, Honesty Is Still the Best Policy". There's one section in here which highlights when it's appropriate to highlight details about a degree and when it's inappropriate and considered lying. This coincides with a post I put up earlier this month about librarians fudging about their degree in order to get hired, when they've got less than a month until they graduate. Sure it's being nit picky, but I'd rather err on the side of caution, since, as the article says, ""A lot of companies have zero-tolerance policies if they catch you" lying, says Mr. Challenger."

Here's what can happen if you get caught: "Steven Lurie, the author of "Handbook for Early Career Success," says he worked with a woman who exaggerated her responsibilities and previous salary when applying for an administrative job at a law firm last year. She got the job. But her exaggerations were discovered during a background check soon after and she was fired."

When your degree is being considered: "People who didn't complete a degree program can still list the school on a résumé, but they should indicate the "strongest possible presentation that is truthful," such as "completed 50% of requirements for Bachelor of Science in Business Administration" or "Bachelor of Arts candidate, anticipate completion in 2011," says Louise Kursmark, an executive résumé writer and career consultant. Crossing the line would be saying you graduated with that degree."

Why I'm here

Volunteering for Maryland Day at the University of Maryland this afternoon, I was confronted with one of the reasons why I decided to become a librarian in the first place. On the second leg of my volunteer stint I joined two graduate students in front of Hornbake. There was a carpet set up, a swivel chair, and a ring of books to be read. I picked up a few and read it to a very critical audience of a two-year old girl. A Spanish girl joined us a few minutes later, but she wanted to leave halfway through the story. The next group of girls were two boys and a girl. Their parents stared at me as I read a Chinese fable about how there is only one sun in the sky. The kids were very quiet and transfixed as I read, though I'm not sure if they were actually hearing what I was saying. I tried to engage them with voices and read the story slowly. That look on their face, transfixed, their eyes wide as I read made me realize why I love being a librarian and why I still want to work with kids one day, hopefully with a more participatory group, though.

Give a little bit

Newly inspired by the Goo Goo Dolls and National Library Week, I wanted to talk about how a little effor from you can go a long way in helping your public library.

• Talk it up. Do you love your library? More specifically do you love the books, audiobooks, Internet, and videos and DVDs that you can receive at little to no cost to you? They're not free services so much, but are provided through taxpayer dollars as well as the local government. If you love your library and like what it does for you let people know. Tell your neighbors, or write to your Congressman about how your library has changed your life or made your day a little brighter. 
• Purchasing cast off books: a Win-Win. Some profits for libraries come from used book sales. I admit I have very little money to spend being a graduate student, but I always find myself at the library scouring their cast-off or recently donated book shelves. At 50 cents to a dollar a book you really can't go wrong.
• Volunteer: This isn't only the best way to accrue experience for library students, but it also helps libraries be able to have programs they wouldn't otherwise be able to without paid staff. It also gives you that warm fuzzy feeling from helping someone in your community. Currently I volunteer at the Hyattsville Public Library's weekly Conversation Club. Through this program I run sessions with community members helping them exercise and improve their English language conversation skills. It's not strict, lesson plan teaching but very off the cuff hour and half sessions that help me get to know the students and their abilities better. For them it provides a safe, non-judgmental environment where they can receive advice and practice their conversation skills. Most of the program attendants are from South American or Mexico, so I in turn get a little help practicing my Spanish as well.

There are thousands of ways you can help support your local public library that don't require a massive donation or months of your time. Call you local public library today and find out how you can help. If we don't spread the word about how important libraries are to the community, who will protest when their hours and staff are cut or worse, their doors are closed?

Lying about your degree of experience

There's been a lot of talk around the library world about how useful your Masters Degree will be. For the class of 2008 and below the requirements for future librarian jobs were marketed as such that you had to have an MLS degree before someone would even consider hiring up for the upper level jobs. This is still true today. However, the recession came crashing down and changed the way that libraries are hiring (not at all). In my last Public Library Seminar session the speaker flat out told the class that she personally would not hire anyone with an MLS because we're too expensive. I was stunned. She went on to say that most clerical positions now (library technicians, library associates) are being given to applicants who have a Bachelor's degree in something. MLS degree holders are not being considered for this position at all because we're considered overqualified. In fact she said that MLS candidates would not be recruited for these jobs anymore but rather for leadership and management positions. The only problem with this when you're very green in the gills with library experience, applying for Librarian II and III positions isn't a good idea unless you have the 3-10 years of experience they ask for. If you're like me and have spent the last 20 years in school, the answer is no, you don't have that experience. The next step would be to apply for the clerical positions as mentioned above. Herein lies the Catch 22, you're overqualified for the clerical positions and underqualified for anything higher. What's a girl to do?

One answer which I openly threw out in class to Phoebe* (*names have been changed) was, "What if people just lie that they have an MLS degree and apply for the position regardless?"

Phoebe was appalled at my suggestion, but Clarice was more vocal about it. Clarice said that library school students should be proud of their education and not devalue it. She said that I shouldn't tear myself down  but to be proud of all the experiences and education I had accrued. Phoebe added that it's not wise to about your degree on your resume because if you're hired that just starts off your relationship with that library entirely on the wrong foot. I am of the belief that when the people at the position do a background check on you they're going to find out anyway.

On the other half of the spectrum, Eleanor mentioned in class today that she had currently taken to lying about having her MLS degree on her resume. Most jobs won't even look at your resume if you aren't graduated with an MLS degree because it does not fit the criteria of the job. Eleanor's take is that by the time the application process is finished she will have her MLS degree, technically. My problem with this is that how are the hiring managers or HR going to misread "MLS Degree May 2010" when you're applying for jobs in April 2010? I wouldn't hire someone like that. It's still lying.

The Book that shall not die

A subject always up for debate in the library field is books vs. kindles vs. IPADs. Some of the questions surrounding this topic are "What would serve the patron's needs best?", "What can the library afford?", etc. I've heard arguments both for and against getting rid of books in favor of electronic readers and I see it playing out everyday. I deliberately sat behind two people on the metro solely because one of them was reading a book and the other was reading on a Kindle. I couldn't help but smirk at the Kindle owner, but I often wonder how much good they do in a public library.

I personally don't want to own a Kindle right now, or any other electronic reader for that matter, because I get enough headaches and eye strain from being on my computer doing homework, actual work, and researching jobs. When I want to take a break why on Earth would I pick up my Kindle only to be staring at another electronic screen? Would I leave my Kindle in my bed after I fell asleep reading it or would I stay awake at night wondering if it'll break on its way to the floor when it inevitably is ejected by my restless sleep. Both author I admire and respect, Stephen King and Sarah Dessen, have sounded off in favor of keeping physical books around. Sarah comments on the relationship a person has with a book, how it gives a more intimate feeling knowing that you're holding it, smelling the binding paste, underlining lines, turning down the pages, revisiting it after a good year. Stephen King elaborates on similar points, saying that having a physical books relates to the art of telling a good story.

Not only do I run into people on the metro that are using electronic readers, but at my Bible Study there is consistently one person who always accesses his Bible on his Iphone. I'm a little freaked out by it and can't quite come to terms with getting rid of my bookshelf and instead purchasing a rack for my Kindle.

Future Library Professionals Resume Workshop

I recently attended a program hosted by the SLA Student Group, a Future Library Professionals Resume Workshop, at my friend Jamie's house in DC. We all gathered around her large kitchen table, filled up on scones, and listened to the wisdom brought to us by Kathleen Schmidt from Library Associates. She had some very interesting thoughts as well as the other students who attended, about their experiences in the library field and advice for upcoming graduates. What began as a resume clinic turned into an open forum of solicited advice, friendship, and literary camaraderie. I share her/our/my thoughts here as I wrote them down. Sorry for the disorganization.

Words of advice:

Use caution when applying for a federal position that has been posted online for two weeks or less. - If this is the case an internal candidate has already been selected for the position.

In order to succeed in obtaining a library position you must look at every organization you apply to or are interested in as a business. You must think strategically when you apply for positions.
Tip: Pick up an MBA for Dummies book, read it (it has an easy context), and learn the language of business. Knowing how politics can affect you is also crucial.

You should get other people to review your resumes and cover letters. Tailoring your resume to the job, sometimes using explicit words and phrases from the job description, is crucial.

Tip: Cover letters are important, but the focus needs to be on your resume.

Talk to people who work at the institution you wished to be hired by and gather competitive intelligence as to what their needs are. You can use this information in your future application and interview.

Creating a skills based resume is a good idea, to at least have on hand if you're not comfortable using it right away. You must let people see it.
A skills based resume includes:

1. A summary of your skills (two to three highly competitive and edgy)
2. Relevant skills and experiencing with an emphasis on teaching, leadership, research, communication and information technology, and client service.

Once you're hired and in direct contact with supervisors or superiors.
It's not about territory anymore, it's about looking at the big picture. The worst thing you can do is blindside your boss.

Not sharing information and withholding are inappropriate behaviors.

Tip: Do not put the year you graduated with your undergraduate degree. This could lead to age bias on the part of the HR department or person who hires you.

Resume Tip: Write your employment history in years not months, unless the application calls for months as well.

Focus on the mission of the organization, it's about the work.

What skills should I highlight?
Supervision, Specific Skills Set, Interpersonal Communication, Organizational Awareness, Technical skills, Customer Service, Research (leverage your skills as a researcher).

Resume Tip: Do not have an Objective heading on your resume. If prompted for one you can say something like, "I want to work with an organization whose mission aligns with my personal goals.

Tip: If you're a new or upcoming graduate with your Masters Degree, get business cards.

• moo.com has very professional looking business cards for $20/50 cards and also lets you use your own picture as an image on the card
  
• vistaprint.com offers 250 business cards free, you just pay for shipping.
  

Really answer their questions on the job description. The best way to gain information before you apply is to ask for an informational interview. To obtain one you can e-mail or call and ask, "May I come in for an informational interview."

Knowing that your fate lies in the hands of someone who is not a professional is very frustrating.

Phone Interview Tip: Instead of answering with , "Hello?", use, "[your name here] speaking."

Think entrepreneurial.

Be innovative. Find a need and fill it. Employers seek candidates who are going to have to be told everything, who take risks, and who bring new ideas to the table.

Understand the landscape of the organization before you go in, use strategic thinking. Don't undervalue your achievements.

Are you vested in papers you spent semesters working on during your time in grad school? Publish them! (I'm still working on how one goes about getting something published in the library world.)

Linked.com Tip:
Whenever you receive a recommendation from someone on linked.com, always screen it for spelling, grammar errors.

My own words of advice: Keep making connections, you never know what odd and unexpected places you're going to meet a potential librarian or a connection who can help you in your job search/ future career.

Next week: What to put on your business card, advice for the unemployed.