I feel really rather pleased with myself that I have made it
to the end of this course (hurrah for me)! There were genuinely times when I
felt I was so behind I wouldn’t make it through to the end, but I was
determined and here I am (the wealth of organisational tools that I’ve gained
has helped no end too…handy)!
I’ve been pondering the Personal Development Plan (PDP) and
contemplating next steps. I do like to have a structured plan, I find it very
helpful to compile lists of things that I feel I need to do or get done (which
invariably leads me to identify other things that I hadn’t initially thought
of), so I can work through them in a nice ordered and sensible way and then
have that pleasing feeling when it all gets accomplished. There are lots of things I would like to do
and being of the self-critical sort there are plenty of areas where I feel I
could make improvements or fill gaps. With my new found confidence that has
blossomed thanks to cpd23 though, I feel much more able and better equipped to
stride forward with positive steps and continue on in my personal developmental
journey. I’ve already started on my next phase in fact!
I’m now much more comfortable with various web tools but I
was aware that I lacked any real understanding of the ‘building blocks of
computing’ (so to speak) and so have
started an online course in computer programming , learning about HTML, CSS,
JavaScript and Python amongst other things. I’m hoping these skills could be
usefully deployed in future in things like creating and maintaining websites.
My library dreams involve working with special collections
and so I thought it might be good for both me and my C.V. (sorry inadvertent rhyme
there) if I made a concerted effort to try and learn to read (medieval) Latin.
It is something I have been meaning to do for a long time now so it has been
particularly satisfying to make a start on this. I’ve also been delving into
the world of palaeography (thought this might be particularly helpful for
deciphering marginalia, which I’m also very interested in)!
I’d like to press on and get some more cataloguing
experience too; I’ve had a taster but would like some more hands-on experience.
I intend to visit lots more libraries (not exactly a hardship!) and generally
interact with more librarians (be this in person or online) and learn from
their experiences and heed any advice that is kindly offered and get involved
with various events. I shall definitely be carrying on with my voluntary work.
I’m always learning something new from this and it is something I really do
love and enjoy. Perhaps now this course has come to an end I may start
utilising this blog to talk about the work I do here. I think I would find it
rather odd not blogging now.
My big next step though
will of course be securing a proper library job and I shall carry on doing as
much as I can to make this happen. cpd23 has already been a boon here. During
many an interview people’s ears always prick up when I mention this course and
it is looked on very favourably, so I owe a big debt of gratitude to the cpders
for helping me along with my job hunt and ultimately for giving me skills that
will make me a more productive, useful and valuable team member. Thank you so much!
And finally, a 6 word story….how about:
Cpd23- Continuous Praise Deserved, thank you!
or
23 things has helped me develop
or
New skills, new me, new opportunities!
Or
Not the end, only the beginning!
Oh I could carry on in this vein all day but I shall desist!
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