Final Reflections ~
"Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment"
Thomas Carlyle
The reward isn't the degree; the reward is the skills I have developed from the graduate experience that will help me enrich the lives of the people in my community. To be here, finally, sprinting towards the finish line is awesome. It's hard to not get emotional because for the past eleven years I have dedicated my life to earning four degrees and the road has been hard and long. I am proud to say that culminating in December is one of my greatest accomplishments so far in my life. It is easy to give up when you've had to juggle school, family, friends, work, and yourself for eleven years, but I have resisted the temptation. I've learned so much during my time in SLIS, and I couldn't have done it without the support of the people closest to me - my family and friends. I couldn't have succeeded without the support of so many of my professors who gave encouragement and inspiration every step of the way. And, I couldn't have done it without the flexibility that distance learning provides. There is so much more for me to learn about librarianship, and I know that I've only touched the tip of the iceberg. Applying myself as a professional librarian is what I look forward to most now. I have applied myself in many different types of classes from children's librarianship to archives and manuscripts, and my efforts to diversify my education have definitely paid off. This was especially evident as I worked my way through the e-Portfolio process: no piece of evidence was used twice, and I am very proud of myself for doing so well in the program to allow this to happen. One thing I do regret is not having the opportunity to intern. Because I work full-time, must maintain a house, a car, and myself (by myself) I couldn't afford to take the extra time off work. I envy my classmates who have been able to intern and gain hands-on experience because I know those opportunities are invaluable.
So now, as I begin my journey, I will do so with zeal and purpose. And for all the people whom I will undoubtedly encounter who do not know what librarians do, I will happily and passionately inform them.
What I have discovered about myself is that I am a leader, and I fit quite naturally into this role: I have inspired my classmates, supported them through arduous projects, and I have always arrived with an infectious positive attitude. My learning style includes developing an understanding of the task at hand, completely, then breaking down each part into more manageable pieces. For teamwork, this works beautifully. Whether the project consists of designing a website, managing a wiki, creating a PowerPoint, recording a presentation using Elluminate Live!, completing a course project of original cataloging, or designing and managing a database, the reward is always the skills developed and the opportunity to grow with classmates. Teamwork can be difficult, but I have discovered a way to make it fun, successful, and memorable. Everyone needs to be included every step of the way, and everyone needs to be praised for their contributions. Possessing the ability to lead will take me a long way, and I look forward to what lies ahead.
My goal for these next six months is to apply for as many positions as possible, receive mentoring in career development from ALA's mentoring program (which I have already initiated), and learn all I can about interviewing and proving that I am an indispensable librarian. If a job offer doesn't feel right in my gut, I will consider that feeling and assess the circumstances of employment. Whatever my first job is, I will make the best of the opportunity and learn everything I can so that I can excel in whatever comes next. I hope to progressively grow in librarianship, so much so that I am viewed by my colleagues as a competent, diplomatic, and inspiring supervisor . . . and eventually director.
"There is no such thing as can't, only won't. If you're qualified, all it takes is a burning desire to accomplish, to make change. Go forward, go backward. Whatever it takes! But you can't blame other people or society in general. It all comes from your mind. When we do the impossible we realize we are special people."
Jan Ashford
Thomas Carlyle
The reward isn't the degree; the reward is the skills I have developed from the graduate experience that will help me enrich the lives of the people in my community. To be here, finally, sprinting towards the finish line is awesome. It's hard to not get emotional because for the past eleven years I have dedicated my life to earning four degrees and the road has been hard and long. I am proud to say that culminating in December is one of my greatest accomplishments so far in my life. It is easy to give up when you've had to juggle school, family, friends, work, and yourself for eleven years, but I have resisted the temptation. I've learned so much during my time in SLIS, and I couldn't have done it without the support of the people closest to me - my family and friends. I couldn't have succeeded without the support of so many of my professors who gave encouragement and inspiration every step of the way. And, I couldn't have done it without the flexibility that distance learning provides. There is so much more for me to learn about librarianship, and I know that I've only touched the tip of the iceberg. Applying myself as a professional librarian is what I look forward to most now. I have applied myself in many different types of classes from children's librarianship to archives and manuscripts, and my efforts to diversify my education have definitely paid off. This was especially evident as I worked my way through the e-Portfolio process: no piece of evidence was used twice, and I am very proud of myself for doing so well in the program to allow this to happen. One thing I do regret is not having the opportunity to intern. Because I work full-time, must maintain a house, a car, and myself (by myself) I couldn't afford to take the extra time off work. I envy my classmates who have been able to intern and gain hands-on experience because I know those opportunities are invaluable.
So now, as I begin my journey, I will do so with zeal and purpose. And for all the people whom I will undoubtedly encounter who do not know what librarians do, I will happily and passionately inform them.
What I have discovered about myself is that I am a leader, and I fit quite naturally into this role: I have inspired my classmates, supported them through arduous projects, and I have always arrived with an infectious positive attitude. My learning style includes developing an understanding of the task at hand, completely, then breaking down each part into more manageable pieces. For teamwork, this works beautifully. Whether the project consists of designing a website, managing a wiki, creating a PowerPoint, recording a presentation using Elluminate Live!, completing a course project of original cataloging, or designing and managing a database, the reward is always the skills developed and the opportunity to grow with classmates. Teamwork can be difficult, but I have discovered a way to make it fun, successful, and memorable. Everyone needs to be included every step of the way, and everyone needs to be praised for their contributions. Possessing the ability to lead will take me a long way, and I look forward to what lies ahead.
My goal for these next six months is to apply for as many positions as possible, receive mentoring in career development from ALA's mentoring program (which I have already initiated), and learn all I can about interviewing and proving that I am an indispensable librarian. If a job offer doesn't feel right in my gut, I will consider that feeling and assess the circumstances of employment. Whatever my first job is, I will make the best of the opportunity and learn everything I can so that I can excel in whatever comes next. I hope to progressively grow in librarianship, so much so that I am viewed by my colleagues as a competent, diplomatic, and inspiring supervisor . . . and eventually director.
"There is no such thing as can't, only won't. If you're qualified, all it takes is a burning desire to accomplish, to make change. Go forward, go backward. Whatever it takes! But you can't blame other people or society in general. It all comes from your mind. When we do the impossible we realize we are special people."
Jan Ashford
Affirmation ~
I, Rachael-Joy Florence Cowham, affirm that:
All introductory, reflective, and evidentiary material submitted is mine alone (expect where indicated as a group or team project), and has been prepared solely by me. I have respected the privacy of others by removing mention in this e-Portfolio of information that could lead to the disclosure of the identity of students or employers, and I have made good effort to obtain permission from all group members for the group projects submitted as evidence.
All introductory, reflective, and evidentiary material submitted is mine alone (expect where indicated as a group or team project), and has been prepared solely by me. I have respected the privacy of others by removing mention in this e-Portfolio of information that could lead to the disclosure of the identity of students or employers, and I have made good effort to obtain permission from all group members for the group projects submitted as evidence.