Careers and Confidence – Algonquin College’s Industry Talks Spotlight on LIT

November 14, 2014

by Stephanie Pegg

On November 13, four alumni from Algonquin College’s Library and Information Technician (LIT) program participated in the Industry Talks Speaker Series, sponsored by the Algonquin College Alumni Office, to share their experiences in the job market after graduating. The night was a success, with a high turnout and interesting, well-rounded panelists.

The panelists were:

• Emily Farrell, Chief Executive Officer, Edwardsburgh Cardinal Public Library
• Sarah Harvey, Information Management Specialist, Bank of Canada
• Nicole Hill, Assisted Reproductive Technologies Administrative Officer, Ottawa Fertility Centre
• Ryan Tucci, Reference Services Administrator/Transcription Services Coordinator, Carleton University MacOdrum Library

The event offered unique benefits because the content was not just for any LIT audience, it was directed at LIT students of Algonquin’s program specifically. The speakers knew the instructors, the courses, and the material—and most importantly, they knew how to translate the experiences specific to this program into relevant skills in the job market.

Building Confidence

Events like these really boil down to one thing, and that is confidence.

Speakers come to give new graduates the confidence they need to succeed after graduating. Moving from a student position to a regular position can seem overwhelming, intimidating, and for some, unachievable. But this is not really the case. All you need is confidence in what you have learned, and what you can achieve with that knowledge. When employers see a confident individual in front of them, they feel confident as well—confident that they can rely on you to get the job done. Some confidence-boosting comments that stuck with me were:

1. We are taught to think outside the box. Our program highlights that the skills we learn apply to many fields, inside and outside of libraries. Thinking in this way makes us adaptable and flexible, which are of the highest value for employers.
2. Don’t be afraid of the data. When the inevitable moment comes, and your employer drops an enormous spreadsheet containing thousands of rows of data on your desk and asks you to analyze it, don’t be afraid. They are just numbers and words, and nothing you can’t handle!
3. Stay positive about the job search. It is hard to ignore all of the talk about how thin the job market is these days. One panelist stressed that this is for the most part false. Just keep yourself in the know, update your skills, and don’t give up. An opportunity will arise.
4. Be passionate, give 110%, and love your job. With this recipe, you are bound to find success.

To Network, Or Not to Network

Networking was another topic explored. It was interesting to hear that two of the panelists did not prioritize networking in their job search. This showed students that if networking is not your cup of tea, you can still find success.

One panelist wisely stated: networking is about more than just meeting potential employers, it is about having conversations with your peers and colleagues. I will take this a step further and say that we can participate in these conversations without networking, too. Students can engage themselves independently by reading and listening to what is happening in the discipline. Whether we choose to network or not, staying engaged offers many benefits, include gaining insight, learning about the community, developing opinions, and at the end of the day, building confidence. Once you have confidence in yourself, you can build your own path to a successful and fulfilling career.

Stephanie Pegg is a second year student in the Library and Information Technician program at Algonquin College.