CAREER ED PROJECT By Sarah Mayo Grade 11

WHO I INTERVIEWED  For this project, I interviewed my mom, Julia Mayo. She is a Library Technician at the Marjorie Mews library in St. Johns.  I hope you like the presentation. Thank you

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE DEFINITION OF “CAREER” IS?  To me, a career is different from a job, in that a job is just a paycheck and a career is something that gives you satisfaction outside your workplace.

WHAT CAREER DID YOU WANT AS A KID?  When I was little I wanted to be a teacher more than anything in the world, but I also loved to read and I loved books so I think working in a library is fabulous.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU RETIRE?  My dream is to live in a cabin, off the grid and write children’s books.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE JOB YOU HAVE NOW?  The job I have now sort of just happened. I heard they were looking for someone to fill in for the Torbay library technician so I put in a resume. I got the job, worked for a little while, another job came open at the Arts and Culture Center Library I applied, but did not get it. I was asked if I would like to train to work at the main branch and I have been working ever since.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR JOB? WHY OR WHY NOT?  I love my job. I get to work with people of all ages and I get to help people find information and books and materials they are looking for. When I help people it makes me feel like I have made a positive contribution.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WHILE LOOKING FOR A JOB? Never give up! Follow your heart.

HOW LONG DID YOU WORK AT YOUR LAST JOB? AND DID YOU GET ANY SKILLS FROM IT?  The job I had before I was at the library was in the Navy. I think that I use many of the skills from that job in the job I do now. Many of the leadership skills and being able to talk to groups of people are some of the skills I use every day. You too will find that what you learn in your first jobs will be skills that you can carry through to others down the road.

IS THIS JOB REWARDING?  Yes, the most rewarding thing I think is when I am able to help someone or to have a child in our story time be excited to take a book home. It makes me very happy.

HOW MUCH TIME IS INVOLVED IN YOUR JOB?  I work 35 hours a week. I prepare for my work sometimes at home, but most of my work is done at the library during my 35 hours.

WHEN/HOW DID YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO FOR A LIVING?  I think a lot of it had to do with timing and research. I paid attention to job ads, job search websites etc…. And when I saw something I wanted I went for it. In my case I also listened and asked questions.

HOW DID YOU APPLY FOR YOUR JOB?  I sent a resume to the division manager for the Eastern Library Division. I went on the library website and looked under contacts. I had heard they were looking for a substitute library technician, so I found out who I should ask and I called him. He told me to send in a resume, so I did.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND YOUR JOB TO ANYONE? WHY OR WHY NOT? EXPLAIN IN DETAIL.  I would recommend my job to someone who has patience, is good with people especially children and has a great love of the written word. Also if the person is good with using computers and technology, there are always changes in the library

DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF GOOD AT THIS JOB? WHY OR WHY NOT?  I think I am good at my job, but I also know that I have a lot to learn. I think that is why I like it so much, because there is always things to challenge me.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR WORK AND FAMILY?  I try to leave my work at work, but I do not do it as well as I should. I am the type of person that gets excited about something and I cannot stop thinking about it until I get it done.

WHAT ARE THE POSITIVE ASPECTS ABOUT THIS JOB AND WHY?  Dealing with people. Helping people is a graet way to feel like you have contributed to the world in a positive way.

WHAT ARE THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS ABOUT THIS JOB AND WHY?  Dealing with people. Also the most negative aspect, dealing with negative people is stressful and unpleasant.

WHAT WOULD BE THE MOST DIFFICULT OR EASIEST PART OF THIS JOB YOU HAVE? EXPLAIN.  The easiest part of the job is probably putting away the books and the hardest part is trying to remember all the information about reference material.

WHAT WAS THE MOST INTERESTING/LEAST INTERESTING ASPECTS OF THIS JOB? EXPLAIN.  I like learning new things that I never knew before. For instance, while helping a lady look up something about the American Civil war I found out that there were women called who fought in the war with the men. The most famous was a vivandiere called Mary Tepe.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU GOT FROM THIS INTERVIEW YOU CAN APPLY TO YOUR OWN CAREER?  What I got from this interview is that jobs can have a lot of fun when you enjoy it. It is worth while doing the job you love then a job you don’t love. Do the job that works best with you.