Career DoctorTips to revitalise and refresh

your career

CILIPS NE Branch AGM22nd October 2008

Life before librarianship• Of quads and quandaries• The great unwashed of Witney• From clipboard to thesis?• … or what?

• Making do and mending• Things not to say at interview…

A chequered career?• 1997-1999 Oxford Brookes University

• 1999 North Birmingham College• 2000 Mander Portman Woodward• 2000-2002 Peters Bookselling Services• 2002-2004 University College Worcester

• 2004 Unemployed• 2004 Edinburgh City Libraries• 2004-2008 University of Abertay Dundee

1: Seek inspiration• Stick your head above the parapet• Benefits of professional activity

– Awareness– People– Satisfaction– Skills

Mood boards“Simply collect examples of the

designs that turn you on… Buy yourself a cheap pinboard and attach your images to create a picture of which designs, colours and styles interest you. Look for recurring themes and try to develop a unified idea of your own individual taste” – Ann Maurice

My other career• 2000 Chartership course• 2002 Vice Chair (West Midlands Division)• 2003 Chair (West Midlands Division)• 2004 Associate Advertising Officer• 2005 Events Coordinator• 2006 Treasurer (Scottish Division)• 2007 Vice President• 2007 CSO Revalidation (Scottish

Division)• 2008 President

Highlights• West Midlands ceilidhs• Making stuff happen• One prong of the umbrella• Passport to Africa – and Latin America• Cow and lambanana spotting• Out and about• Friendships for life

Cow Parade 2006

Lennon and Lambananas

Events and meetings

2: Modernise

• Increase your current awareness– Read: books, journals, newsletters,

newspapers (including recruitment pages)– Sign up to mailing lists, blogs and for a– Get out and meet people

• Update your skills – identify your training needs and take control of your CPD

• Engage with the Framework of Qualifications

Revalidation1. Critical evaluation of personal

learning outcomes from a range of development activities

2. Increased competence in a range of professional and management skills

3. Evidence of continuous professional development

Fellowship1. Evidence of substantial

achievement in professional practice

2. Evidence of significant contribution to all or part of the profession

3. Evidence of active commitment to continuing professional development

Find out more• http://www.cilip.org.uk/qualificationsc

hartership/FrameworkofQualifications/

• Watson, M. 2008. Building your portfolio: the CILIP guide. London: Facet Publishing

• CDG and PTEG offer supporting courses and events

3: Find storage solutions• CPD logs – what, when, where, who

• Your CV – keep it up to date

• Portfolios - evidence & evaluate CPD

4: Use Estate Agents• Networks – including virtual communities• Spheres of influence – given and received• Mentors

– Formal and informal– Assigned or chosen– At work– For professional qualifications– For coaching

5: Changing rooms• “Whilst many of our respondents reported

positive experiences, some found that they were hampered by employers’ reluctance to consider applications from people working in different sectors.

• Nevertheless, there is encouraging evidence that some employers are willing to take into account transferable skills and experience gained elsewhere”

6: Views and vistas• Set yourself professional goals

– Short term e.g. this week/month– Medium term e.g. months/years– Long term e.g. years/decades

• Regularly review your goals and progress

Example• Amanda’s goals:

– Short term: be an effective Past President for CDG, encourage the rest of the team and try to keep on top of all my work and other commitments

– Medium term: join the mentor network; apply for Fellowship; apply for a first timer award to attend IFLA conference

– Long term: ease off on CILIP activities while still making a contribution; find a post I really love, that suits my personality; think about going part time for better work-life balance

Skills gained• Making meetings effective• Event management• Time management• Teamwork / getting the best out of people• Flexibility• Wider perspective• A little bit of politics• Leadership?

Lessons learned• Beware, beware the purposeful stare, the

glass of wine and the empty chair…

• It’s OK to change jobs

• Shun the silos

• CRIME: Commitment + Responsibility = Increased Motivation & Enthusiasm

7: Revitalise yourself• Be open to opportunities but in

control• Give back what you have received• Remember work-life balance• Declutter and neutralise• Reward yourself for your hard work

A Hollywood Librarian?