Module 9

Today is Halloween, and I had made a promise to myself that I would complete my analysis for my internship, it looks like I won’t be done  until the 3^rd of November, ah...dagnamit. I have a few more portions to fill out and I have begun refining the analysis. But well I am doing my internship I am learning how to be critical of other people’s work, which means my own as well. I am trying not to overthinking it, but at least I am almost done with all of it, including the analysis, so I will pat myself on the back. I cannot wait to begin working on the LibGuide, I will expend as much energy as possible in that guide, which to me is more exciting than writing and analysis. I sure have learned a lot by doing it though. 

Took a snippet of a personality test based on other tests like Briggs & Meyer, my outcome is INTP:

“If your closest personality type is INTP then you have a strong sense of the hidden principles that govern how the world works. You are interested in theoretical models and explanations, and when other people put forward their own theories you put them to the test to find out how true or robust they are. You enjoy solving difficult intellectual problems and seek to understand the real truth behind any situation, even when it involves several complex factors.”

Really, I don’t believe that is true, truth seeker, yes, but solving difficult intellectual problems, no thanks.

The dreaded elevator speech...

In preparation of an elevator speech, first just to let you know I need to work on my public speaking skills. I also begin to stutter a bit when giving a speech. I have never been a great orator and I have mumbled and stumbled whilst giving a talk, even amongst my classmates. It is a fear I have to get over, especially if I work in an academic or public library.  Don’t get me wrong, I can be quite gregarious and open, even with strangers, but when it comes to public speaking and I freeze. I am on the cusp of an introvert and extrovert, but going to school full-time online has me walking on the introvert side.  So what are employers looking for, according to the monograph (Paths in a working life: Charting your 21^st century career) the following traits:

·         Good communicators

·         Trustworthy

·         Energetic

·         Positive in their attitude

·         Flexible

·         Good team players

·         Dependable

·         Confident

·         Competent

·         Competitive

·         Open-minded

·         Goal-oriented

·         Leaders

·         Customer oriented

 The elevator speech should be no less than thirty seconds and no more than sixty seconds. Hmmm, here goes…”Hello my name is Faylene Keep and I just graduated with my MLIS with an undergrad in business administration. I have an interest in technology, grant writing, and research. I am a team player and enjoy project management and believe that being flexible and open-minded are some of my best traits.” Now I know I will have to work on the re-wording and begin to practice as well, egad finding employment is far more complicated in the 21^st century.

Module 7 and the goverment shut down.

This week we read articles about networking. Which in some sense I have done, I volunteer occasionally, I try to integrate my school work by working with libraries. Of course I am doing an internship and plan to do one, maybe two more if I can get away with it, which is a form of networking and work experience. I watched one of best PowerPoint presentation I have seen about networking. The overall points of the presentation provided excellent pointers. I liked it so much here is the link: http://www.slideshare.net/ucfaramos/the5-secretsofnetworking by Angel Ramos, The 5 secrets to networking. I also plan to build a website, re-join Facebook (not my favorite social media choice), try Twitter, and I will finish building my LinkedIn profile. As well any other ways I can self-promote myself and my CV and portfolio. 

I almost have my literature review completed and I am moving on to my analysis portion of service-learning which is great, because I am concurrently taking a research class that provides the needed skills to critique the literature and experimental studies. Sadly the National Service Learning Clearinghouse is shut down due to the federal government shut down. I really feel bad for any federal employee or agency. I needed that site for the wealth of data it contains, thank goodness SJSU has awesome databases so I can bypass this site without too much of a bother.