What's Next? Question Answered

Yesterday was my official last day working at the University of Michigan Hatcher Graduate Library.  I first started working there in 2004, as an undergraduate student.  It was a place I loved going and from where I couldn't stay away.  My student position led to my first job out of college, before I left Ann Arbor and tried other fields and professions.  I couldn't stay away.  In 2009, I moved back to my favorite city and had the chance to take on another role at the library (to spare you all of these details in this post, I'll simply post a link to my website http://alissatalleypixley.com in case you're interested).  This led to my interest in obtaining a Master of Science in Information, and to my position as a University Library Associate (ULA).  It's been an amazing journey these past eight years, and I'm incredibly grateful and feel extremely lucky to have worked with so many professional, intelligent, and thoughtful colleagues.

My previous positions in the library and in academia peaked my interest in higher education more generally, so, as I wrote in November 2011, I applied and was accepted to the Higher Education program at UM.  So when I started thinking about my future careers after my two year ULA appointment was up, I knew I wanted to intersect my master's degrees.  And it just so happened that the School of Information, from where I graduated in April, recently opened a position for a Recruiting and Admissions Coordinator.  I immediately applied and was hired a couple of weeks ago.

It will be a busy and exciting time in my professional life.  This position will allow me to use the skills that I learned at UMSI such as customer service (in my reference classes), information literacy, and non-profit management, with those I practiced in my last position including instruction (speaking in front of people, knowing how to put together meaningful information in an allotted amount of time) and supervision of students, with my knowledge of higher education gained in that particular master's program.  I'm thrilled to be able to combine all of my previous work experiences and use the transferable skills from each position to advise prospective students, plan events, manage online communities, and everything else that will crop up as I grow into this job.

Thanks to everyone for your support in whichever way it was provided in helping me get to where I am today.  It will be fun to explore this new role and I hope you'll enjoy following me as I learn and develop in a new environment.

The calm before the beautiful storm

For now, this is my last regular reference desk shift at the Hatcher Graduate Library.  I expected a flood of new students asking questions, incoming faculty wandering around, a bustle of folks figuring things out... instead, it is quiet.  It feels like the calm before the storm, but its the storm that is needed to re-energize us and propel us forward into the new year.

That's one thing I love about being involved in higher education as both a student and an employee.  I love that the school year is so busy you don't have time to think but yet everything is productive and meaningful.  I love that when summer comes, ambitions to do the projects that get put on the back-burner are high, but that the summer is too short to possibly complete all of them... and we need a small break in the action that is academia.

I love that when August hits, email ramps up, orientation tours start, and planning for fall accelerates.  I love that come late August, the temperatures start to cool down (or heat up) and you can begin to see the hint of color in the leaves.  By the time September 1 hits, the streets are closed for student move-in (and you can't drive anywhere) and the summertime freedom of taking our town back from the students is no longer a reality.

But what I love most is that the seasons change, they happen, and they're all wonderful.  As much as I look forward to summer, I look forward to fall.  And I'm lucky to have this time to appreciate and reflect on this transition, because the closer we get to the Tuesday after Labor Day, the busier I'll get.  And I love that.

Final Workshop

Today I will co-instruct my last workshop at the UM Library.  It's hard to believe that just over a year ago today was my first Word for Dissertation session.  I wrote about that experience on August 5, 2011 and here it is August 10, 2012; boy does time fly!

When I first started teaching, I was much less confident than I am now.  Now, I'm ready to go in and show graduate students the best ways to format their dissertations, in a way that will make the process easier for them.  I'm comfortable working with another co-instructor and watching her teach the workshop in a different way than I did.  It's great to know that there is someone else stepping in who can help mentor the person who may become their co-instructor. 

I'll take my instructing technology experiences, and try to use the skills I've learned in a transferable way.  I'll know that staying excited and upbeat during sessions or presentations is critical; that making the participants feel comfortable asking questions and following along; that everyone learns and processes information differently.  It will be valuable to have experience instructing on a variety of things from technology, to databases, to freshmen orientation.  And, it is wonderful knowing that I can always re-connect with co-instructors for tips and feedback.

Instruction has been a very interesting and fun part of my appointment at the library.  It's something I've truly enjoyed and hope to do more of in different ways in my next position.  And it's something that I've been fortunate enough to have time to reflect upon with mentors and colleagues who are constructive and encouraging.  So for now, here's the last library instruction post... thanks for following this piece of the blog!

Everything I want to write, I can't

I'll use the rain analogy again for this week, even though we've had another dry spell.  When it rains, it pours.  And unfortunately, at this time, I can't share any details about the weather.
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Ok.. enough of the vague comparisons to precipitation.  But seriously, when life happens, it happens.  It's weird that way.   And right now, it is happening.  Like, everything.  Personal, professional, future... lots of it is on the move right now.  And I can't say a word about it. 

It's weird how life happens.  Everything I want to write about, I can't.  Until probably next week.  Maybe.
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All I really know is that I am cleaning out my office of two years today.  One more step in this crazy transition.  Question is... what to keep and what to throw away (recycle)?  What notes do I need from the last 24 months?  What will be useful in the future?  More inquisitions lead to fewer answers.

And that's ok.  That's my my life right now, as it's happening - and it certainty is...
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P.S.  I promise in a few weeks this blog will become more substantive again :)