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Someone Moved My Cheese... And It Wasn't Me! Rejuvenating Your Career Midstream
by Lori Bell
This year I will celebrate twenty years as a library professional. During those years, three things have remained constant: my love for work in libraries; my love and fascination for technology, gadgets, and gizmos; and my membership in the Illinois Library Association (ILA).
I have been around Illinois libraries so long that many people think I am in my late forties or early fifties. Actually, I am 41, one of those exceptions to the usual librarian who gets a bachelor's degree, works a while and then goes back to library school. I rushed through my bachelor's program in three years and hopped right into library school. I have always thrived on change and different life experiences... until I was no longer in control of that change.
In twenty years as a librarian, I have had a fun and adventurous career! I have been a children's librarian, a reference librarian in a public and special library, an outreach librarian, a technology consultant for regional library systems, and have worked in academic libraries. There hasn't been a job without some aspect I have thoroughly enjoyed and been able to take with me to my next job. Through all of these changes and experiences, I felt like I was the one "moving the cheese."
In many professions, there are those who question the value of professional involvement in associations and other groups. For me, there has never been a question about the value of involvement in library associations. Time and time again, professional involvement has proven invaluable. Thanks to Randy Wilson, one of my first mentors and first supervisors, my first association involvement was in the Junior Members Round Table(JMRT) of the Illinois Library Association. I also became involved in the Junior Members and then New Members Round Table of the American Library Association. Through my involvement in JMRT/NMRT, I made friends in the library profession that I still have to this day! I have also gained experience speaking at and planning conferences, holding several offices, and serving on the ILA Executive Board. By attending continuing education events, I have learned a great deal, which has helped me in every job I have had.
Then, someone besides me moved my cheese and I was forced to deal with change I had not created and did not want. Two years ago, I experienced some serious health problems which caused me to cut back drastically on my involvement in associations and other professional commitments. I took a less demanding job to accommodate my situation. Until that time, I had increased my involvement in professional associations and groups and climbed the typical career ladder, attempting to balance career, home, and family.
My health problems were especially frustrating because, although I thrived on (in fact, loved!) change, new opportunities and learning new skills, I was no longer able to do my usual juggling act. Someone had "moved my cheese" and it wasn't me! After eighteen months, several surgeries, and weight loss, I began to feel like myself again, and I began to investigate rejuvenating my career. Although people (including myself) thought I had fallen off the face of the earth, I now wanted the world to stop so I could get back on.
The first thing I did to rejuvenate my career was to approach my supervisor to allow me to work four days per week, so I could have more time with my family and take some graduate level courses in instructional technology and telecommunications. Last fall, I took two classes, one over the Internet and one in a weekend academy. I was able to tailor my projects to topics that included libraries. My goal was (and is) to get an advanced certificate in distance learning, and then to obtain a second master's degree to qualify me to work in a university on a tenure track. This semester, I am taking one class, and have signed up for one this summer and one next fall. The certificate and degree will both enhance my library skills make me more versatile in case I want to go into another field. Taking courses is one way to rejuvenate your career, meet new people, and learn new skills.
Two years ago, a colleague had approached me about starting a technology users group (comparable to the ALA LITA top tech trends committee, but for ILA). I was enthusiastic about the idea, but it was put on hold during that eighteen-month period. Although my colleague had lost interest, this fall I decided it was time to revisit that idea. I planned an organizational meeting which attracted a diverse and enthusiastic group of 25 people. By judicious arm-twisting, I convinced another colleague to co-chair the group with me. We have had another meeting, and planned a third for May.
Through creating this group, I have been able to revive my love for technology and renew my involvement in the Illinois Library Association. I have been able to renew old friendships and make new friendships. Through these workshops, I am able to network with others, see how they are doing things, and keep up on technology trends. We also have a mailing list for people to share information, ideas, and applications on the latest technology.
Another activity which has helped to jump-start my career and rejuvenate my interest and experience in the field was writing a grant to implement a technology project in our hospital library. Because my manager was able to do some juggling on my behalf, I have been able to work half-time on this technology project. It has been exciting, fulfilling and has brought me in contact with new people at my workplace and in the library field.
Although I have worked as a library professional for almost twenty years, I anticipate working another 25 years. I feel like I have already had my mid-life, mid-career crisis and hope it is downhill from here. The energy and enthusiasm of the ILA RSTF Technology Users Group have helped me to rejuvenate my career and renew and confirm my love of library work, technology, and my involvement in ILA. Taking the courses in a different field also gives me more versatility and strengthens my skills for working in the library field.
So, if someone moves your cheese, and it isn't you, don't despair. There are so many different ways to rejuvenate your career and cure burnout!
Lori Bell is a Medical Librarian at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois and co-chair of the ILA RTSF Technology Users Group.