Making it to the major leagues: Career movement between library and archival professions and from small college to large university libraries

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Abstract

ISSUES OF CAREER MOVEMENT AND CHANGE are examined between library and archival fields and from small colleges to large universities. Issues examined include professional education and training, initial career-planning and placement, continuing education, scouting and mentoring, job market conditions, work experience and personal skills, professional involvement, and professional association self-interest. This examination leads to five observations: 1. It is easier, in terms of career transitions, for a librarian to become an archivist than it is for an archivist to become a librarian; 2. The progression from a small college venue to a large research university is very manageable with the proper planning and experience; 3. At least three of the career elements - professional education, career-planning, and professional association self-interest - in their best moments provide a foundation that enables a future consideration of change between institutional types and professional areas and in their worst moments conspire against the midcareer professional in terms of change; 4. The elements of scouting, continuing education, work experience, and professional involvement offer the greatest assistance in career transitions; 5. The job market is the wildcard that either stymies or stimulates occupational development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)614-630
Number of pages17
JournalLibrary Trends
Volume50
Issue number4
StatePublished - Mar 1 2001

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