[Web4lib] Seeking Advice: Switching Career Paths

[David Kemper]

Colleagues,

I am seeking advice on switching careers. I am currently in the
archival field but would like to move into the field of web design and
website management in a library and/or information center environment.
I have been an archivist for almost 6 years. Throughout that time,
while mixing in some archival research work and some processing, I was
always recognized by supervisors and colleagues as the "web guy," the
Webmaster, the guy tinkering with Dreamweaver and Photoshop, designing
websites, taking advantage of web technology to give greater access to
archival material.

Lately, the desire to transform myself from informal web guy to formal
web professional has become stronger, as I feel my interest drift
further away from my current field. A case in point: I often feel more
connected by discussions occurring here than on other listservs.

My attempts to switch gears have fallen short, however.

On numerous occasions I applied for Web Services / Web Development
Librarian positions (or something to that extent) only to be told that
1) I do not not have enough web experience, 2) I do not have enough
technical know-how, and the most common 3) I should remain in archives
because I have been doing it for so long. Like a Hollywood actor, I
have been typecast, it seems.

I am wondering what I should do to switch career paths effectively. I
have taken numerous courses on web and multimedia design; online
information organization; graphic design and others. And I have a real
keen interest in the web and the latest trends, and how they work to
better communications and information delivery. I am wondering if a
few programming courses are in order? I am not sure what should be my
next step.

Your input and advice would be much appreciated. Feel free to email me
off the list at siansleep at gmail.com

Thank you.

David