Career Planning: what type of career/job best suits your inspiration? Liz Burke La Trobe University

What inspires me? “in each of us rests the power to shape our future and it will be shaped by our action – or inaction” “in each of us rests the power to shape our future and it will be shaped by our action – or inaction” What inspired you to enter the profession? What inspired you to enter the profession? What inspired you to attend this Symposium? What inspired you to attend this Symposium? If you want a career in this profession, you need to plan, and work towards that plan If you want a career in this profession, you need to plan, and work towards that plan ‘Did the difference matter?’, InCite, vol. 23, no. 10, October 2002, p.41.

What inspires me? cont’d Career planning is not necessarily about a steadily upward progression Career planning is not necessarily about a steadily upward progression Career planning must be flexible Career planning must be flexible Some type of planning must be undertaken Some type of planning must be undertaken People with diverse interests and aspirations find a place in libraries People with diverse interests and aspirations find a place in libraries

What inspires me? cont’d Library work environments and the way we conduct our business, has changed radically Library work environments and the way we conduct our business, has changed radically “for the first time in history, the world’s wealthiest person is a knowledge worker” “for the first time in history, the world’s wealthiest person is a knowledge worker” Milne, P. (2000) ‘Information professionals and the knowledge-aware, intelligent organization: skills for the future’,Australian Library Journal, May, pp

Values in our Working Lives related to the attitudes and opinions one develops in relation to one’s job and work environment related to the attitudes and opinions one develops in relation to one’s job and work environment  Pay, hours of work, superannuation, and relationships with colleagues, supervisors and clients It is possible to work for an organization and with colleagues who demonstrate the types of values you hold personally It is possible to work for an organization and with colleagues who demonstrate the types of values you hold personally Elizur, D. and Kosowsky, M. (2001) ‘Values and organizational commitment’, International journal of manpower, vol. 22, no.7, pp

Positioning Ourselves “self-marketing” has become crucial “self-marketing” has become crucial Choose an area of interest, and develop some expertise Choose an area of interest, and develop some expertise  Build on existing skills and abilities Publish in the professional literature Publish in the professional literature Participate in professional associations Participate in professional associations  Examine other relevant associations Participate in electronic discussion lists Participate in electronic discussion lists

Professional Opportunities “manage your own career, or let change manage it for you” “manage your own career, or let change manage it for you” Opportunities exist for new career paths for information professionals Opportunities exist for new career paths for information professionals Develop a network of professional contacts, including mentors Develop a network of professional contacts, including mentors Become a member of professional committees Become a member of professional committees Casey, V. (2000) ‘Career: do you have a plan?’, Feliciter, vol. 46, no. 4, p.167.

Taking Risks Initiate career changes Initiate career changes Career development is not necessarily about a steadily upward trend Career development is not necessarily about a steadily upward trend Think outside the realm of traditional positions Think outside the realm of traditional positions In today’s job market, there is more movement between jobs In today’s job market, there is more movement between jobs  Portfolio careers – successive, frequent changes

Responsibility for one’s own career Be clear about what you want out of life Be clear about what you want out of life Spend time on self-analysis and self- reflection Spend time on self-analysis and self- reflection Know your skills, abilities, values, aspirations, wants, needs, dreams and personal style Know your skills, abilities, values, aspirations, wants, needs, dreams and personal style Bridges, W. (1997) Creating You & Co. : learn to think like the CEO of your own career Nicholas Brealey, London.

Responsibility for one’s own career – cont’d Career management competencies: Career management competencies:  Ability to optimise a given career situation  Ability to engage in personal development  Ability to use career planning skills  Ability to balance work and non- work Ball, B. (1998) ‘Career management competencies – the individual perspective’, Librarian Career Development, vol6, no.7, pp.3-11.

Responsibility for one’s own career – cont’d Consult a professional career counsellor or guide Consult a professional career counsellor or guide An individual may change career direction up to three or four times during their life An individual may change career direction up to three or four times during their life

Continuing Education & Professional Development Professional development can meet a number of needs:  It may lead to a new career opportunity  An injection of motivation and enthusiasm The pace at which mid-career stagnation takes place is accelerating The pace at which mid-career stagnation takes place is accelerating An employee can reach a career plateau in as little as two years An employee can reach a career plateau in as little as two years

Continuing Education & Professional Development – cont’d Academic learning does not provide the sole evidence of continuing professional development Academic learning does not provide the sole evidence of continuing professional development Potential employers seek evidence of experience Potential employers seek evidence of experience Highlight skills and knowledge gained Highlight skills and knowledge gained

In Conclusion… Take the time to reflect Take the time to reflect Review the changing information landscape Review the changing information landscape Think about possible directions to take Think about possible directions to take Be creative, bold and visionary Be creative, bold and visionary Grasp the opportunities presented Grasp the opportunities presented