[Web4lib] Seeking Advice: Switching Career Paths

[Dan Kammer]

Another possibility might be to initially go to a smaller environment where
there is an unfulfilled need in this area.  At my last job (total library
staff was 12) my title was "Reference Librarian" but I was able to become
the web person and redesign the site and gain experience.  At my current job
(campus of 2,000 students), and in the midst of a campus-wide financial
crunch, there was a vacancy for the campus webmaster position and I
essentially volunteered to take on these duties.  I now lead the campus web
group and am learning details of networking, LAMP and CMS's.  Of course I
realize I'm being taken advantage of as these are duties way above and
beyond my regular job, but it does fulfill my desire to be involved in these
areas and in the long run believe it will benefit the library as I become
more knowledgeable.

Dan



On 8/30/07, David Kemper <siansleep at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Thank you all for your suggestions. I can see how each piece of advice can
> help.
>
> The hardest part for me so far has been getting potential employers to
> see beyond the archivist role I have held for many years. I think
> several assume--and a few have expressed directly to me--that I am an
> archivist who worked on web projects, not enough experience or
> qualifications for their particular Web Librarian / Web Development
> needs. Breaking free from this will require an image change and, as
> many have suggested, a portfolio and web presence. Funny, I get caught
> up with creating web presences for others, but I forget about myself.
>
> I agree with those who suggested I look beyond library-land. I really
> like academic environments, and working in the library as part of a
> Web team sounds ideal, but I have had not much luck. Sounds like a
> good reason to look elsewhere.
>
> While I have my XHTML/CSS and some JavaScript, I suspect more
> programming knowledge is in order, and I think the languages suggested
> are a good start
>
> Besides web design, the Web as a communication, collaboration,
> knowledge sharing, community-building tool fascinates me.
>
> Anyway, please feel free to add more suggestions. I think there are
> others in the same boat who could benefit from this advice.
>
> Thank you!!
>
> David
>
> On 8/30/07, Will Kurt <wkurt at bbn.com> wrote:
> > Although I'm not a Web Services / Web Development Librarian, I do run
> > a library job site in my spare time, so I do a fair amount of web
> > development work and also see around a thousand library job postings
> > a year.   My 2 cents are:
> >
> > Jon makes some good points, although I fully believe that you (and
> > everyone who's posted) can get a web librarian job if you want
> > it.  Too frequently libraries want an unreasonable number of
> > qualifications for an equally unreasonable low pay. I could rant
> > volumes about this, but needless to say I think it's a poor practice.
> >
> > The point is don't be discouraged, and also don't be afraid to look
> > outside of library-land for positions that may be equally rewarding
> > and better paying.
> >
> > To echo what everyone else is saying: build something! The site that
> > I run has been an incredible learning experience, and continues to
> > scale as I learn new things.  Plus it provides a useful service to a
> > lot of people in the area.
> >
> > Don't be afraid of programming, find a language that works for you
> > and enjoy it. Once you know one interpreted language well it's fairly
> > easy to at least understand what's happening in another.  I'm going
> > to have to put in my plug for Python, which is very easy to learn and
> > works well for everything from simple procedural programming, to OOP
> > and even Functional Programming.
> >
> > And finally- DO NOT accept the library dogma that getting low wages
> > is okay and just part of life, it's not.
> >
> > --Will
> >
> >
> > At 10:04 AM 8/30/2007, David Kemper wrote:
> > >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
> > >_______________________________________________
> > >Web4lib mailing list
> > >Web4lib at webjunction.org
> > >http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> >
> >
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>



-- 
Dan Kammer
Library Director, NMSU at Alamogordo
2400 N. Scenic Dr.
Alamogordo, NM  88310

Phone:  505-439-3806
dkammer at nmsu.edu