Tag Archives: encouragement

Never say never

Posted on by acrystelle
1

This is an exciting time for my career.

Inspiration is coming from all sides.

Never say never.

It’s about time I shared my new(ish) role in archives, an area I never thought I’d work or be involved in. But I am determined to make the most of being challenged, stretched, encouraged, energised and coming into my own as a (information) professional from this amazing opportunity.

Firstly, how did I get there. Last year, two months before my contract in my previous role was due to expire I knew I had to take action. Two months is not a long time to secure employment. I came across my role at archives and at first glance I thought ‘Yeah right! Like I could get that job.’

My first day in my new role hit me hard. I wanted to run away back to my team. Thoughts like ‘I made a mistake’ and ‘This is not the place for me’ were running through my head. Throughout the day I received encouraging text messages from my (previous) team, telling me to stay put and that things will settle down and be okay soon.

A rule at archives that absolutely horrified me was that I couldn’t have my tea or food at my desk. Water only. What? No doing the ‘good morning’ rounds back to my desk with my tea? For the first few days, one way I found to cope with the change was to relate my thoughts and feelings to movies. A little odd, I know, but it helped. My first day I had forgotten to place ALL my food in the lunch room. I had my PEZ, teabags and biscuits in my bag, and well, this is what went through my mind….

Another feature of archives is the noise, or lack thereof. There is a (what seemed like at first) maze of corridors to repositories and areas of the buildings and it’s super quiet, super clean, almost clinical. Here’s what I anticipated to see in a corridor….

….followed by thinking I was Rizzo the Rat (the Muppet) running around a maze in a lab of a top secret government facility.

My role as a Research Officer basically involves finding out stuff. I support archivists in developing retention and disposal schedules, provide recordkeeping advice to clients, I’m placed on project work, keep up to date with happenings in emerging technologies, and a ‘fly on the wall’ in meetings. I love being involved in discussions and having a hand in as much as I can.

I’m surrounded by a wealth of experience. I have inspiring colleagues whose professionalism and knowledge are to be nothing short of admired and held in awe. Heading into work each day just to be around them are lessons in themselves.

I learn something everyday. Whether it be how to respond to a client in a particular way or something from another’s knowledge, wisdom or different perspective, I’m growing professionally every single day.

It’s not so much what I’m doing from day-to-day (though it plays an important part in my development), but the opportunities to learn through my colleagues and participating in meetings and discussions, that makes this time of my career exciting.

With so much happening around me and about me professionally, to make the most of my role and experience, I need to find a way to capture my lessons. I currently set aside half an hour each week for reflection, but I feel it’s not enough. Perhaps ‘bite-sized’, 10 minute daily reflections might be better to document learnings more immediately(?)

Inspiration is coming from all sides.

Not only am I making connections with experienced professionals at work, but I also continue to be amazed by those at my university and in my personal learning network. This year I’m looking forward to extending my current course to dip my toes into academic research (yes, you read correctly, I’m looking forward to it!) I continue to be enthusiastic about my involvement in the profession. I have a clearer idea of career direction and I’m feeling more confident in the professional development activities and steps I’m taking.

This is an exciting time for my career.

I honestly cannot begin to say how grateful I am to be where I’m at and the role I’m in. It’s taken me sometime to write this post, mostly because I’ve wanted it to be just so. I wonder if I’ll ever learn that waiting for ‘just so’ would ultimately mean not getting anything done at all. So while this post may not be perfect and may not say exactly what I wanted it to, I’m glad I’ve now shared it.

For the first few months in my new role I wondered if it was the place for me. I’ve since realised archives may not be ‘the’ place, but certainly a place I can see myself contributing to and develop aspects of my (information) professional self that will move my career forward. I’ve surprised myself working in archives. I guess you just don’t know when your career can take a turn.

Never say never.

Reflecting back, looking forward

Posted on by acrystelle
1

Urges to write come at inconvenient times, don’t they? My most recent was last night in the middle of a concert, Cold Chisel actually. Bizarre. All of a sudden words starting pouring into my mind with no where for them to go at that moment. This is one of the challenges I’ve encountered this year, aiming to develop a regular writing habit. Frustrating. By the time I have a chance to sit down to write, the moment I was experiencing had past. I wonder how I can tackle this challenge…..perhaps something to ponder in another post, but not this one.

(So you can imagine now that I’m desperately trying to brainstorm some of the things I was thinking about.)

One of the things I thought about was my bit of a break of late, mostly since the completion of studies for the year. I’m working full-time, but also still on the mend. Goodness knows I’ve needed it. I’ve spent this time reflecting, re-evaluating priorities, making plans for next year and beyond, thinking about what to focus on, taking brazilian dance classes (so much fun!) and just ‘being’.

Within this time, gosh, so much has happened I’d really like to write about and share, as well as other blog post ideas sitting in my Evernote.

  • my physical and psychological challenge in Margaret River, Western Australia
  • saying ‘good-bye’ (for now) to my job in aviation
  • settling into my new job in archives and its challenges
  • one year anniversary volunteering for ALIA New Graduates Group
  • learning to say ‘no’ to look after my well-being

I’ve most enjoyed just ‘being’ (evident in my dance classes) and it’s what has struck me about a week ago that proved this little ‘switch off’ to be invaluable for my preparation for the year ahead.

I’m grateful.

I’m grateful for what I have, for who I have around me, the support and encouragement they provide, and the kind of opportunities and inspiration found in ‘little wins’ that drive me forward, personally and professionally.

I’m grateful for the life I have.

I believe this mindset is perfect to start the new year.

I’ve learnt a lot from this year by pushing my limits. Now I can move forward into next year with this knowledge and plan to be more effective in whatever I wish to achieve.

It’s time for me to breathe and re-boot.

Let’s Talk

Posted on by acrystelle
2

As I walk around networking events (especially at first when I knew no one) I find there’s a distinct separation between the students and new graduates and the more established, experienced library and information professionals. The experienced professionals tend to break away from the whole group and have their own discussions, and the students and new graduates are left wondering how to enter “the circle”. There are only a few experienced professionals who dare mingle with the students, new graduates – newbies to the profession. I am very grateful for these people because without them, I wouldn’t have received the encouragement and support I’ve needed to progress with my career and professional development. It is rather unfortunate that there is only a few who are willing to help out those needing a boost into this (very) networked profession of ours.

I witnessed a completely different scene at a recent event I organised, as part of the ALIA New Graduates Group – Resume Reviews. The basic concept is experienced professionals generously donate their time to provide feedback and advice to students and new graduates about their resumes. I recruited three experienced professionals, called for resume submssions, then created a schedule of appointments. At the end of the appointments, attendees came together for a chat.

The difference between this event and other New Graduates events was that it brought experienced and new information professionals together. What I saw was an opportunity for experienced professionals to get excited about the enthusiasm and dedication new professionals were bringing to their careers and the future. There was a sense of collaboration and ‘working together’ between this mixture of information professionals. It was inspiring.

Experienced library and information professionals need not be threatened nor discard new professionals because of a perceived lack of knowledge and experience. New library and information professionals have what it takes to move the profession forward. Experienced information professionals just have to trust us. We have ideas. We are passionate. And we are able. Let’s talk. Together with experience, ideas and enthusiasm for the future, the profession may be strengthened and equipped to take on challenges it currently faces.

Let’s bring down our forts. New library and information professionals are just as scared, if not more, of experienced professionals, than experienced professionals are of new ones. Trust me.

So at your next networking event, think about those experienced professionals who helped you get started. It’s time to pay it forward. Walk up to that nervous library student in the corner and say ‘G’day’. I’m still very new to the profession and I try to include newbies into conversations. You just never know where it may lead. Let us build trust, learn from each other, because we all have a common goal and passion. Find that common ground.

Dialogue. Conversation. Sharing. Collaboration. We need more.

Allow me to Introduce….

Posted on by acrystelle
1

Some days it can be downright distracting. Stories, friday night drinks, chats over tea and coffee, constant banter, morning teas, lunches, chocolate, random conversation. But that’s just how we roll…..

I’m speaking of the awesome team of mates I work with. I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again – they’re friggin’ awesome. My workmates know how much my LIS studies mean to me as a person and as a professional. They put up with my tiredness, random pieces of information I tend to share, my laughs, references to Twitter (and my PLN), dancing and my iPod. There is no doubt, my workmates form part of my “cheer squad”.

(And by “cheer squad I mean the people who surround you, support, guide and encourage you, there to lend a hand or an ear, and almost literally “cheer” you on from the sidelines.)

In the lead up to ‘blog every day of June’, I started to reflect on the great times we have as a team. So I guess there’s no better time than to introduce you.

Meet the Team

There’s……

  • Mr BMW – owns a BMW and my colleague in the Technical Library.
  • Maverick – too smart for his own good sometimes, has (more than) a hint of arrogance yet without the recklessness of another ‘Maverick’ we know…..(apologies for the cliche, but I really needed to slip in a reference to the great movie somewhere).
  • Goose – Maverick’s partner in crime and I’m fairly sure an office ‘bro-mance’ is going on there.
  • de TRAX man – my supervisor is the TRAX guru. (TRAX is a software used by airlines)
  • Mrs Soup – brings in soup for lunch, but it just sits there and keeps accumulating.
  • Miss Teapot – cute little teapot sits on her desk.
  • Miss Gravy&Chips – does she order anything else for lunch?
  • “Dad” – self-explanatory – the “Dad” in the group
  • Miss Sheep – one day she brought in a book about sheep (there’s a story). Every now and then she’s down on her farm in Victoria……I’ll leave it there.
  • The Boss – He has to put up with the laughter from the ‘other side’.

Starting with the ‘Chocolate Drawer Saga’, I intend to share some of my team stories, what we get up to and talk about in the office. They’re sure to entertain. Stay tuned.

Headhunted: why I chose to stay put

Posted on by acrystelle
2

A week ago I had an interesting phone call. Surprising? Not really. But…interesting. I turned down my previous role.

This significant experience was overwhelming, flattering, a little awkward and for a moment, confusing.

I have never been in a position before where a previous employer has offered an opportunity to return. This is a lesson I wish to document and reflect upon.

First of all, I don’t think I handled it particularly well. However, I believe I dealt with the situation the best I could at the time. I found it difficult to communicate my reasons for my choice; I wasn’t prepared. The phone call in itself was a sign that I’ve started to  make my mark….and I’ve only been in this industry (and profession) for nine months.

Secondly, let’s delve into why I chose I stay put.

  1. Stability – I wish to stay with an employer for at least a few years to allow enough time to follow through on projects, as well as capture opportunities available to diversify and develop my skills in an increasingly familiar and “safe” environment. I’ve been with my current employer for only five months. I don’t want to be switching to and fro between employers.
  2. Culture fit – I believe I fit in with my current employer’s culture better than my previous employer. I’ve well and truly started to develop a sense of belonging to the company and the team I work with.
  3. Potential Opportunities – I believe I will have more opportunities to be involved in continuous improvement projects; there are also less barriers to improving processes and information services and generally, getting things done. I am already committed to a few projects already. I’d like to follow through and see them completed.
  4. Support – Even though my former supervisor clearly supports me, I’ve support also from my current supervisor and colleagues. This is important to me. Especially when I’m in a profession that’s not quite understood by others. People, my internal customers, are beginning to trust me.
  5. People I liaise with every day – I work with some pretty cool people! They’re hard-working, knowledgeable, dedicated and there’s a sense of ‘taking care of each other’ and acknowledging others’ hard work. For example, a colleague of mine is working on a massive project at the moment and has been working mighty long hours. There hasn’t been a lot I can do to help but one day I brought in Milky Ways for his chocolate drawer.

Have I taken a gamble? I sure have. Certainly because I’m currently on contract with seven months to go. There’s no guarantee I’ll have a role at the end of it.

Have I made the right decision? I believe I have.

Why? Because all that’s at stake is worth me finding out my future with my current employer.

The hardest part of this situation was not deciding what to do, but how I could communicate my reasons to a man with an absolute heart of gold. I really do hope I haven’t burnt my bridges with someone who has become somewhat an informal mentor to me in the aviation industry. On my last day, he almost brought me to tears with the praise he had for me. No one had ever shown as much respect and gratitude for my work.

I had disappointed him, though he said he understood my reasons. I did enjoy working in my previous workplace, there’s a “family” atmosphere I was welcomed into, but it just makes sense to stay where I am at this stage.

If you’ve been in a similar situation before, how did you deal with it? I’d really like to hear others’ experiences. Do you have any advice?