The Job Search (Part 1)

The job search front has taken a more important place in my brain these days. A few weeks ago I was laid off from my job. They recalled me two weeks later but at only half of the hours. I’ve known since the beginning that I wanted to work more in the “information” side of my MLIS so I’ve been looking closer at information related jobs. I have a strong desire to work as a government contractor. I think that civil service is important and the stability appeals to me. One job I came across that would be a “dream job” is with the Department of the Air Force. The posting  is for Information Technology Management (Information Security). Essentially, it would be IT security. The posting specifically lists graduate work in information science as a requirement. To qualify for such a job I will need to get more in depth with my training in computer systems but if my scripting class is any indication, I have an untapped talent for such things. I don’t know why I haven’t been focusing on programming since the beginning of my educational career. It comes easily, its fun, and its incredibly marketable. I love the thought of being an information specialist for the government. It makes me think of women in smart suits compiling reports that aid the military in protecting our country.

The second posting that caught my eye is a “Competitive Intelligence Specialist” with Haynes and Boone out of Dallas. Haynes and Boone is a large law firm that specializes in a variety of areas. This specific posting   is a research based job. The qualified applicant has a degree in Library and Information Science and is experienced at in-depth research and reporting. This job is something I could get right out of this program. Unlike the other position, I already possess the skills required. I spend quite a bit of time with Microsoft Excel and manipulate data as a hobby.

Without the MLIS, I don’t qualify for either of these postings. My background is in digital content, research, and metadata. The MLIS is going to give me the additional knowledge and experience to put me on the path to more challenging and more financially lucrative positions. I still believe I’ve made the correct choice in a graduate program.  

Professional Alphabet Soup: The NDSA and LITA

Professional organizations can be an important part of career development. Membership can confer educational benefits as well as provide a way to connect with others in the industry. From the beginning of my journey, I have been focused on digital content management and the information side of the LIS degree. To that end, I’ve spent some time looking into the National Digital Stewardship Alliance and the Library and Information Technology Association.

The National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA) is a professional organization dedicated to ensuring that digital content is preserved in a way that allows future generations access to today’s digital information. It is partnered with the Library of Congress Digital Preservation Program. Members are organizations rather than individuals. At this time there are more than 320 partner organizations. There are no fees or dues associated with the NDSA, instead member organizations dedicate time and resources to varying working groups committed to furthering the NDSA’s mission. Wayne State University has a student group dedicated to the NDSA.  Individuals involved with member organizations have the benefit of being on the forefront of digital preservation. Individuals are given the opportunity to connect and collaborate with others in the field and because of these connections they have greater access to funding possibilities and research opportunities as well as input into the standards and practices of digital preservation.

The NDSA has a limited social media presence, both the Wayne State chapter and the NDSA itself are on Twitter, but its parent organization, the Library of Congress Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP) has a presence on Facebook, Twitter,  and YouTube. The NDSA participates in the Library of Congress Digital Preservation blog “The Signal.” The Signal covers varying issues within the scope of digital preservation. These posts provide insight into current issues, ideas for new research, and opinion pieces on where the digital preservation industry as a whole is going.

On a personal level, I would very much like to be involved in an organization that is a member of the NDSA. My background as a historian makes digital preservation a subject close to my heart. My ability to research the past is dependent on finding primary sources from my period of study. Today many of our records are digital and do not exist in hard copy. In order for historians of the future to have something to go on, someone has to take the time to preserve these records in ways that can be accessed. I already participate on a limited level in the Wayne State student NDSA. It is my hope that as time goes on I will be able to take a more active role.

The Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) is a subsidiary of the American Library Association (ALA). According to their website, "LITA is concerned with the planning, development, design, application, and integration of technologies within the library and information environment . . ." (Library and Information Technology Association [LITA], 2014) Members must first join the ALA and then they can elect to join LITA for an additional fee. Students are given a discounted rate while in school. LITA has its own journal, titled "Information Technology and Libraries." (ITAL)  Full text is available only to members. LITA has a variety of interest groups that members can participate in.

LITA is a more traditional professional organization than the NDSA in that members are entitled to discounts on products and educational services. It connects professionals, for a fee, with one another and provides a lobbying resource for those who want to further the goals of the industry as a whole. LITA is on Facebook and on Twitter. Both feeds provide links to online resources for jobs and other industry specific information.

Because the ALA and LITA are well established and well-known professional organizations, I think membership is important to further one's career. Access to the member lists can give individuals a leg-up when applying for jobs. Becoming a member shows that one is serious about her career path and is willing to take time outside of work to learn and grow. Prior to writing this post I had not made a decision on whether to pay the fee to join the ALA/LITA but after looking through everything I think I will join.

There are a variety of professional organizations out there and these are the only two I seriously considered. Some, like the American Association of Law Libraries or the American Association of Theological Libraries are not relevant to my interests or career path. The Colorado Library Consortium could be considered my local library association, but because I do not work in a public library it doesn't feel like it would be a good fit right now. I think the NDSA and LITA will both help me stay abreast of what's new in digital content and preservation and will give me insight into where libraries are moving with new technologies.