Career Action Plan: Librarian

[Thanks to TG for sharing her career action plan.]

As this is my final assignment in this course, I am sure it is known by now that I have decided on becoming a librarian. My first thought on becoming a librarian was when I was about fifteen years old. Being constantly in a library, loving to read, and loving the staff, I felt relaxed and capable of being a librarian.

As I now work with librarians, I have asked a number of them general questions, such as what it is like and what are the responsibilities. I have also done research regarding these questions, and I know that it all varies on the size of the library, the neighborhood, and other things that make a difference in duties, salaries, etc.

In taking this class, I engaged in self assessment, which informed me that my strengths matched with what a librarian must have. After that I conducted in-depth research into the career field. I know that this is the right field to be in.




Now that I know what to do for a career, I have set goals around being a librarian. Though I am afraid of taking on such a huge responsibility, I wish to become the second head of the children’s services in the library – a Librarian II.

I would be taking on a huge chunk of responsibilities of the department, but the actual head person would be the one responsible and in control. I wish to be an influence on my co-workers but not have to constantly worry about whether I am making a huge mistake.

I have talked with different department librarians as well as leveled librarians. One of my librarian role models was a Librarian II. She worked extremely hard, and her position made her feel important and needed. She liked to help people – the public and fellow staff members. As do I.

I tend to work hard to feel like I am being useful, that I am not useless. As a Librarian II, I would be constantly busy with helping the public, seeing what the library should offer (books, classes, etc.) and planning out the weekly schedules for the department.

To do these tasks properly you need to be organized, punctual and be on top of things. These qualities match my personal values and skills. I have a personal need to be busy and feel like I am doing important work, which I would be in this position. You also definitely need to be known for good organizational skills and communication skills.

There is only one such position for each department, and I don’t believe there are as many people who have the same goal as I do. Some see the position as too stressful and don’t want to challenge themselves nor seek the responsibility.

To be the best applicant for the job, you most certainly need a Master’s Degree in Library Science and have at least two years of experience. The more experience, the better the chances of getting the job. As the librarians tell me, “Experience is very important.” It will show that you know what you are doing, and your name will stand out from the others.

As I work at a library, I’ve gotten to know the staff, showing my effort so that they will remember me when I apply for the position when the time comes. The staff can be a big help by hopefully recommending me.

The journey of pursuing this goal will not be a simple one. Though I feel I am capable of the job, I need to show it to the employers and make myself stand out from the rest of the applicants.

The one thing I am worried about is the requirement of a 3.0 grade point average to be admitted to the School of Library Science at San Jose State University. I tend to get a C grade once in a while, making it affect my grade point average, and this might delay my acceptance into the school.

My parents are my biggest emotional and financial supporters. They know the necessity of a higher education in today’s world and want me to have it. Like most parents, they want the best for me, and they know that I will do well as a librarian.

For the next year, I shall be finishing my general education to become eligible to transfer to San Jose State University. After transferring there, I plan to finish my Bachelor’s Degree in English in approximately one-and-a-half years.

After getting my Bachelor’s, I will apply to San Jose State’s School of Library Science. If accepted, I shall be there for approximately two years. If all this goes as I plan, I should be able to apply for a librarian position within five years.

There might not be an available position when I am ready for one, but when there is, I think that I might have an advantage as libraries prefer to hire people that they are already familiar with.

I really want to be a librarian, and though it will take me a while longer than I wish, I feel content with my goal in becoming a Librarian II, as I aim a little higher than a Librarian I position. I don’t like wasting my time so I make plans, and I am sticking to this one. I will not waste time by giving up half way. I absolutely feel myself capable of doing this job, and I will do it well. I know that others feel that I do my current job well, and I don’t see why they would feel different when I become a Librarian II.

I have not always felt certain of myself and what I should be doing. The different class activities have constantly pointed towards a librarian career, and that gives me a confidence and steadiness to becoming a librarian.

I have never done self-assessment exercises before, and I enjoyed them. Like most people, I find it hard to identify what are my strengths. The assessments did help me realize what I am good at and what careers I could do well in. So if my plan does somehow fall through, which I find unlikely, there will be other options for me.

The main step, and the biggest help, in creating a plan is to analyze yourself first. I found out what are my strengths and weaknesses. I also learned that I need to listen to my own voice before others. There are people who mean well and give you advice, but you can’t simply act on any advice, only if you believe them to be right. I still have trouble with that, but I will work on it. Of course old habits die hard, but that is a bubble that needs to be popped. I am committed to my plan and will follow my plan.