I’ve got the Education: What do I do now?

1. I’ve got the Education:What do I do now? Kate Morrison Library Technician, Hamilton Public Library Member of OLA & OALT/ABO

2. Outline of Presentation We will be covering: • Who am I? • The OALT/ABO salary survey & its implications for job hunting • What skills library technicians have to offer an employer • Where can you go from here? I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

3. Who am I & why this session? • I have a varied professional career & have had to job hunt in many types of conditions • I wish to show how you can use a tool like the Ontario Association of Library Technicians/Association des bibliotechniciens de l’Ontario (OALT/ABO) Salary Survey to help you in your career at the beginning or any point I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

4. So, what is the OALT/ABO Salary Survey? • Sent out every 2 years • Data collated and presented to show such trends as: • Types of libraries library technicians work in • Educational level of staff • Responsibilities of staff • Management level of respondents • Salary • Years experience in the field I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

5. Parts of the Survey Used • Library environment • Job responsibilities & activities • Public service responsibilities • Salaries of respondents I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

6. Before we go any further… your turn to do some work!! What job titles or areas of the library/information field have you found in your travels? (Please bring some suggestions with you to the session) I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

7. The Salary Survey says… Data Initiatives Manager Bibliographic services & digitization technician Borrower Services Technician Team Member Circulation & ILL Technician Online Web Library technician Secondary School Library Technician Media Assistant Chief Executive Officer Technicienne, systèmes Et remise de Documents Coordinator, Research Centre I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

8. Library Environment I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

9. Job Responsibilities & Activities – Technical I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

10. Job Responsibilities & Activities – Public I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

11. Job Responsibilities & Activities – Management I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

12. Salaries I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

13. So how does this help YOU! • Use it to discover other complimentary areas to pursue besides the traditional • Help you think outside the box for other segments of employers to approach to sell yourself for the job • Words to use to sell yourself to employers I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

14. What do you, the person, bring to the equation? • Your skills from various places of employment • Your creativity • Volunteer work • Life education (life skills) • Community involvement • Research about companies, job descriptions & related careers I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

15. What can I do as I hunt for a job? • Keep up with: • Current events • Improve your communication skills, if needed • Join professional associations • Network, in person and online • Develop new, broader areas of knowledge • Pop culture • Professional websites, blogs, RSS feeds • Take advantage of contract & volunteer work I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

16. Small List of Resources • OALT/ABO salary surveys: info@oaltabo.on.ca • ALA JobLIST Direct: http://ala.informz.net/ala/profile.asp?fid=1494 • OLA’s Career Centre: http://www.accessola.com/ola/bins/content_page.asp?cid=105 • Service Canada site with labour market opportunities: http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca/content_pieces-eng.do?cid=1&lang=eng I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

17. Further Resources • CLA’s job site • School Library Journal • Library Journal • Archives Canada • Library & Archives Canada • ARMA Canada – records management • Your old school I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

18. Further Resources • Resources in the Knowledge Ontario suite of databases – Learning Express Library, etc. • Microsoft web site for their applications • Other associations in your related field • Databases provided by OLA • RSS feeds from various news outlets I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

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23. A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.Francis Bacon Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.Harriet Tubman I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

24. A Different Perspective From a discussion last September on the OALT/ABO discussion list, after listing many ways to look for a job, Maggie ended with this statement: “To be honest, I don't think it's about statistics, or about the economy, or about how persistent you are, or about how qualified you are. I think successful job-hunting is a creative activity. It's about imagination.” Maggie Weaver OALT/ABO Member I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

25. Summary Use your life experience, common sense, and skills you have learned through your education and with the help of others. Relax & have fun in life while job hunting, this will help you take a look in unexpected places and be ready to take risks. I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?

26. Contact Information Kate Morrison Library Technician Hamilton Public Library kmorriso@hpl.ca I’ve Got the Education: What do I do Now?