Tribute
I have worked my last day, at a place where I have held two jobs and worked for 4.5 years. Definitely a record in my short lifetime. I wanted to try reflecting on what I have gained, etc., but it's almost too overwhelming.
Here's an attempt.
It is here I discovered that I could be a librarian, that I wanted to be a librarian, and that I would not be leaving my music degree behind after all. I had important experience in collection development, weeding, evaluating collections, reference, streaming media, reserves, and cataloging.
I discovered that I actually enjoy working with students, despite changing my major from education because of the assumption to the opposite.
I discovered that maybe being a luddite wasn't exactly my calling. I went from not being able to identify a hard drive to being able to build and test a lab image. To creating web sites, and even training students and faculty in various software applications. Oh yeah and now I practically live online.
I had grad school paid for. I had practical experience while going to school which allowed me to get a great job. I discovered that all academia is not created equally, and that I do not feel like killing myself if I study subjects that I am interested in.
I partook in the somewhat typical workplace frustrations of sometimes not getting along with everyone, of sometimes having to attend pointless meetings, and sometimes feeling like a cog in a not-well-oiled machine. Not that all of work was frustrating, but I learned that side of it, and also how to deal (most of the time). I'm hoping to sift through that in the coming weeks, throw out the negative, and bring the positive with me.
I learned that despite my messy tendencies, I have mad organizational skills. And that my strength is streamlining, cutting through the crap, and approaching problems logically. That surprised me, because I hadn't really been in a situation where I had to demonstrate these skills to people other than myself.
I confirmed that I do better when I have some control and power. This may be partly because I am a control freak, but also because somehow I end up responsible for things even when they may not actually be my responsibility. To match this tendency, I work better when I have the power to make decisions and/or effect change, and it is more frustrating when I am powerless. I have found that sometimes I can decide I have power and nobody questions me, but will have to test this with extreme caution in the future.
I have made some good friends. Some I kind of take with me, such as the music librarian who is also moving, and only 5 hours away! Some I figured out that I really liked so late in the game it makes me wish I could go back a few years and get to know them better earlier.
That's all I can articulate now.
Here's an attempt.
It is here I discovered that I could be a librarian, that I wanted to be a librarian, and that I would not be leaving my music degree behind after all. I had important experience in collection development, weeding, evaluating collections, reference, streaming media, reserves, and cataloging.
I discovered that I actually enjoy working with students, despite changing my major from education because of the assumption to the opposite.
I discovered that maybe being a luddite wasn't exactly my calling. I went from not being able to identify a hard drive to being able to build and test a lab image. To creating web sites, and even training students and faculty in various software applications. Oh yeah and now I practically live online.
I had grad school paid for. I had practical experience while going to school which allowed me to get a great job. I discovered that all academia is not created equally, and that I do not feel like killing myself if I study subjects that I am interested in.
I partook in the somewhat typical workplace frustrations of sometimes not getting along with everyone, of sometimes having to attend pointless meetings, and sometimes feeling like a cog in a not-well-oiled machine. Not that all of work was frustrating, but I learned that side of it, and also how to deal (most of the time). I'm hoping to sift through that in the coming weeks, throw out the negative, and bring the positive with me.
I learned that despite my messy tendencies, I have mad organizational skills. And that my strength is streamlining, cutting through the crap, and approaching problems logically. That surprised me, because I hadn't really been in a situation where I had to demonstrate these skills to people other than myself.
I confirmed that I do better when I have some control and power. This may be partly because I am a control freak, but also because somehow I end up responsible for things even when they may not actually be my responsibility. To match this tendency, I work better when I have the power to make decisions and/or effect change, and it is more frustrating when I am powerless. I have found that sometimes I can decide I have power and nobody questions me, but will have to test this with extreme caution in the future.
I have made some good friends. Some I kind of take with me, such as the music librarian who is also moving, and only 5 hours away! Some I figured out that I really liked so late in the game it makes me wish I could go back a few years and get to know them better earlier.
That's all I can articulate now.