Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Thing 10: Trainee of Thought


I think it’s rather evident now for those reading my blog (if such people exist… if not then it’s evident to me alone) that a traineeship is the direction in which I’m headed (with any luck). I think the traineeship scheme is a brilliant means of gaining relevant, practical experience in preparation for a Master’s Degree and I’m really hoping to secure a place, although in conversation with others the term ‘gold dust’ has alarmingly been bandied about! Nonetheless, I’m doggedly determined and I’m doing everything I can to give myself a head start and make myself an ‘attractive prospect’ to employers. For example, as I’ve mentioned I am a volunteer and I have been very lucky to have been given the chance to undertake an assortment of library jobs (learning by doing, a very useful thing indeed) and I’m keen to make the most of every opportunity that is offered to me. I was fortunate to spend the day in the wonderful Brignell Bookbinders workshop in Cambridge, learning about the craft (http://brignellbookbinders.com/). I’ve also made an effort to brush up my computer skills and CPD23 is proving to be marvellously helpful! I’ve even got down to basics and completed a First Aid course (best to be prepared in case a paper cut turns nasty!) and visited a range of different libraries in a bid to get a feel for the varied library environments. But I’d love to hear from others what skills and experience they think would be particularly relevant for aspiring trainees?  Fundamentally, what do people feel would make the difference between successfully gaining a position and not?
In my grand scheme I hope to get on a Master’s course and I have been researching the various options which are available and then onwards and upwards to Chartership (I’m a big one for forward planning).  I’m aware that reality (unfortunately) does not always run as smoothly as planned, but it’s important to have goals and keep focus! I am determined to follow a career in librarianship and I’ll work as hard as I can to make it happen!

P.S. Sorry for being 'out of order' as it were! I've got some catching up to do, so I'll return to Thing 4 in due course.

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