[Web4lib] Seeking Advice: Switching Career Paths

[Joan Starr]

One suggestion: while you are in library or information school (the MLIS
or MIS is still a preferred credential), do at least one internship with
the kind of organization you'd like to work for. I did this while
stillworking full time--it can be done. You use your vacation, you work
remotely, you prove you are an excellent bet.

This starts your resume on the turn you want to make and it also
introduces you to people you'd like to have as colleagues. Or, it shows
you the error of your thinking... :)

Joan Starr
Manager, Project Planning and Resource Allocation
California Digital Library 

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of David Kemper
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 7:05 AM
To: web4lib
Subject: [Web4lib] Seeking Advice: Switching Career Paths

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
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