and somehow, it all happens

Because this is a reflective blog, I oftentimes will read old posts - particularly when I'm feeling a bit overloaded and am not even sure what to begin writing.  Today is one of those days.  So, I looked at the posts from last year at this time, and found that my sense of capacity was feeling stretched then too.  And somehow this makes me feel better, because it reminds me that everything that needs to happen will.

I always forget how long it takes to feel "settled" into a new semester, and a new job.  Fall is always harder because as busy as life seems over the summer, it's not quite the same as readjusting to an influx of information and a new schedule and a calendar that is bursting at the seams.

But reading old posts reminds me that somehow, it all happens.  Whatever I need to do to do it, I do.  And its incredibly helpful to work with people both at my job and in my classes who are supportive, motivating, and positive people.  So here's to starting week 5 of the term and still feeling a bit out of sorts.  And here's to knowing that before I know it, the semester will be at mid-terms and then the end.  So I'm cherishing this time of reflection, knowing that the busy weeks are good things and really, I wouldn't have it any other way.

The lessons of Convocation

Last Friday, the UM School of Information (UMSI) held its first ever Convocation.  I didn't know what to expect... there was tons of work to do at the office, emails to finish before the weekend, and a busy week ahead.  But as part of my position, as part of the UMSI team, and as an alumni, I attended the event.

I'd almost never been so proud to be a part of this School.  The theme of Convocation, "i Will Change the World," perfectly explained where UMSI has been and where it's going.  We heard from the Dean, Jeff Mackie-Mason, associate deans, faculty new and old, and a student.  We learned about the work of MSI's and doctoral students, professors, and school initiatives.  We heard exciting news about projects that literally are changing the world through connecting people and information via technology.

The Convocation confirmed - once again - that UMSI is an incredibly special place.  It's a growing school, Information is an expanding field, and this work can, does and will improve the lives of people.  Convocation spoke to me about what is important in my new position -- being part of this team and celebrating the work we do, and looking forward.  And that meant that the email left in the office was put off for a couple of hours, but reminded me that if students, faculty and staff come together to learn about our collective work we can only do it better --- for the good of others.  Cheers to UMSI and all that comes next!

The other side of library instruction

Last week in my student affairs class, the Education Librarian from the Hatcher Graduate Library came to teach a session to help with our research.  When people hear this and know that I am trained as a librarian, they often say, "oh, you probably know all of this!" or "you could probably teach this class!"  While I may "know" what is being taught, there is nothing more valuable than having a refresher from an expert.

I always learn new skills, am reminded of database specifics, and become engaged differently when sitting in library workshop sessions.  No two classes are alike, no two instructors teach the same way or the same methods of finding resources, and there is always more to learn.  The session last Tuesday was specific to the field of higher education, and I picked up tricks and tips that I would have otherwise forgotten.

So last week's workshop was yet another reminder to me of why I studied information - It's so valuable and revelant.  Kudos to Karen for teaching a great session, and for helping me remember these things, and to the rest of the librarians out there doing this same thing every day. 

Getting into the flow

Starting a new job and new classes at the same time - or even just the start of a new school year - is quite exciting and invigorating.  It means new responsibilities, new deadlines, and a new routine.  As I sit down on my first Sunday of the semester to begin my homework, enter due dates into my calendar, and start to engage myself in unfamiliar topics, I get a bit apprehensive about my abilities to complete all of this work and do it well.

Then I remember that I work much better when I'm in a routine... in a flow... Once I get rolling, my calendar and to-do list doesn't seem quite as daunting, because I'm in the middle of it and don't have time to worry about every single thing I have to do.  I do better when I'm busy because when there's too much time to think, anxiety creeps in.

It will be a challenging semester, no doubt.  But it will also be incredibly energizing as I learn about things that directly relate to my new position, that I can apply immediately or down the road.  I'll get to research applicable topics to student and academic affairs, institutional environments, and developmental theories.  I'll get to learn from my colleagues about their experiences and their thoughts on these issues.  And I'll come out of this semester even more prepared to be a higher education professional.

So while the stress of a new term looms right in front of me, in a few weeks (or later this week), I'll be so immersed in it, I will remind myself that these are times I learn the most and thrive... and that is my motivation to have a successful final semester.

First Week in Higher Ed: The Other Side of Orientation

This was my first week as a higher education professional outside of the library.  And boy, was it something!  My first day at the School of Information as Recruiting and Admissions Coordinator also marked the week of the UMSI incoming student orientation.  This meant that the days were filled with meeting students(!), answering questions, printing last minute materials, coordinating room changes, adjusting working groups, and so much more.  To me, there was no better way to dive into my new job.

I learned so much in my first week.  I learned that there is so much more to putting on a large event (like orientation) than one realizes as a student.  I felt lucky knowing the people I was working with, the specializations for UMSI master's students, what "501" meant, and the culture of UMSI.  But I also realized how much more I had to learn.  I had never thought about all of the behind the scenes "stuff" like ordering balloons for the check-in table, what it's like to organize current student volunteers for events (even though I'd been recruited to participate as a student), or that catering orders might need to be adjusted.  I never realized how much work goes into these days, and that the people working the events would still have email coming in from student groups, prospective students, students who need schedule changes, and other responsibilities that are outside of orientation.

And this all allowed me to gain even more respect for the higher education professionals that make students' experiences at UMSI special.  It made me even more excited to have the opportunity to have my new position be at a place that cares SO MUCH about its students.  I cannot wait to start my final graduate school semester and put my full self into working at UMSI to continue its tradition of being an incredibly unique school that focuses completely on the student experience.  I'm so grateful that I get to start my higher education career (outside of the library) at a place where I can learn and grow as a professional, in a way that is completely about the student.  So here's to starting the 2012-13 year!    

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.