Conclusion to ePortfolio--SJSU SLIS, Spring 2012
Conclusion
This concludes my ePortfolio. Though the SJSU SLIS experience may be through, one can never really say that this it is the “end”. Professions interact and build networks, and I will continue to use the SJSU SLIS network for the rest of my life. There is no way to prepare oneself for life changing experiences, to do something very hard and very challenging, and to emerge on the other side unchanged.
At the beginning of my coursework at SJSU SLIS I had very little library experience, except for a special collections internship during undergraduate studies, but had spent days, weeks, of my life in the library in my youth and as an adult. I have had a burning desire to work in what I consider my dream profession: the library. I greatly enjoy helping people, and thrive on personal interaction. Despite the accolades and notoriety of San Jose State University, names such as the “Silicon Valley” and “Technology Center of the World”, I was uncertain how an online, digital matrix would affect my learning opportunities. What I found is that, while there may some sacrifice in personal interaction, the caliber of professors, instructors and staff, are some of the best in the world. The liberty to study and interact at anytime, anywhere, allows instructors to share their expertise from anywhere in the world, and allows for a collaborative and technologically rich learning environment.
Looking back on my experiences, the only thing I would have changed is to have started interning immediately. As I am finishing out this ePortfolio I am also concurrently finishing an internship through an academic library. I would encourage any student entering the SJSU SLIS program to browse the internships available through the SJSU website and make a plan for interning at least twice.
Originally I thought I would focus on cataloging and archiving, but as my experiences have progressed, I believe that my well-rounded experience in technical services and reference services will serve me very well in the competitive job market. I look to continue advocacy for the self-represented litigant in the law library and to expand services for this patron. I hope to see scholarly communication become more ubiquitous and less impeded. Foremost, I hope to see the library succeed, not just survive, but thrive.
Strengths
My strength lies in my ability to mediate through exemplary personal skills. I want to help everyone, but especially love young adults and adults, though I have quite an affinity for children’s literature. I have an innate ability to identify with the patron and a sense of what they need without “recommending”. I have the ability to lead, and to perform tasks that require authority. I am well versed in the politics in an organization, and I understand the chain of command and authority. I have had budgetary and fiscal duties throughout my work experience, and look forward to applying those skills and building programs that will utilize and stretch the all important dollar.
Aside from the strengths listed above, I have a very good work ethic, am timely in my responses and interactions, and fastidious in my appearance and conduct. I promote diversity and change as the mantra for our profession, and will strive to embrace that which is different and new, and continue my quest for life-long learning.
Personal Plans and Goals
Foremost, I hope to contribute to the LIS field through networking: attending conferences, staying active in newsletters, and associations and am presently a member of the California Library Association. My goal is to be employed at my local library branch, and work my way into the law library or the local university or community college libraries. I would greatly enjoy the school media library and all the opportunities to utilize my teacher-librarian skills. I want to build programs that promote life-long learning for my community, raise the population's awareness and perception of the library through programs and outreach, and make online resources more transparent and interactive. I am looking local, and acting local, but with a global state of mind.
Statement of Affirmation
All introductory, explanatory, and evidentiary work is mine alone, excepting where group projects or team credit has been given. I have respected the privacy of others by removing mention in the e-Portfolio of information that could lead to the disclosure of the identity of students or employers, and have make a good effort to obtain permission from all group members. I have only shared the URL of this ePortfolio with my adviser, and have password protected it.
Karrie Bullock
This concludes my ePortfolio. Though the SJSU SLIS experience may be through, one can never really say that this it is the “end”. Professions interact and build networks, and I will continue to use the SJSU SLIS network for the rest of my life. There is no way to prepare oneself for life changing experiences, to do something very hard and very challenging, and to emerge on the other side unchanged.
At the beginning of my coursework at SJSU SLIS I had very little library experience, except for a special collections internship during undergraduate studies, but had spent days, weeks, of my life in the library in my youth and as an adult. I have had a burning desire to work in what I consider my dream profession: the library. I greatly enjoy helping people, and thrive on personal interaction. Despite the accolades and notoriety of San Jose State University, names such as the “Silicon Valley” and “Technology Center of the World”, I was uncertain how an online, digital matrix would affect my learning opportunities. What I found is that, while there may some sacrifice in personal interaction, the caliber of professors, instructors and staff, are some of the best in the world. The liberty to study and interact at anytime, anywhere, allows instructors to share their expertise from anywhere in the world, and allows for a collaborative and technologically rich learning environment.
Looking back on my experiences, the only thing I would have changed is to have started interning immediately. As I am finishing out this ePortfolio I am also concurrently finishing an internship through an academic library. I would encourage any student entering the SJSU SLIS program to browse the internships available through the SJSU website and make a plan for interning at least twice.
Originally I thought I would focus on cataloging and archiving, but as my experiences have progressed, I believe that my well-rounded experience in technical services and reference services will serve me very well in the competitive job market. I look to continue advocacy for the self-represented litigant in the law library and to expand services for this patron. I hope to see scholarly communication become more ubiquitous and less impeded. Foremost, I hope to see the library succeed, not just survive, but thrive.
Strengths
My strength lies in my ability to mediate through exemplary personal skills. I want to help everyone, but especially love young adults and adults, though I have quite an affinity for children’s literature. I have an innate ability to identify with the patron and a sense of what they need without “recommending”. I have the ability to lead, and to perform tasks that require authority. I am well versed in the politics in an organization, and I understand the chain of command and authority. I have had budgetary and fiscal duties throughout my work experience, and look forward to applying those skills and building programs that will utilize and stretch the all important dollar.
Aside from the strengths listed above, I have a very good work ethic, am timely in my responses and interactions, and fastidious in my appearance and conduct. I promote diversity and change as the mantra for our profession, and will strive to embrace that which is different and new, and continue my quest for life-long learning.
Personal Plans and Goals
Foremost, I hope to contribute to the LIS field through networking: attending conferences, staying active in newsletters, and associations and am presently a member of the California Library Association. My goal is to be employed at my local library branch, and work my way into the law library or the local university or community college libraries. I would greatly enjoy the school media library and all the opportunities to utilize my teacher-librarian skills. I want to build programs that promote life-long learning for my community, raise the population's awareness and perception of the library through programs and outreach, and make online resources more transparent and interactive. I am looking local, and acting local, but with a global state of mind.
Statement of Affirmation
All introductory, explanatory, and evidentiary work is mine alone, excepting where group projects or team credit has been given. I have respected the privacy of others by removing mention in the e-Portfolio of information that could lead to the disclosure of the identity of students or employers, and have make a good effort to obtain permission from all group members. I have only shared the URL of this ePortfolio with my adviser, and have password protected it.
Karrie Bullock