Having Your Voice Heard: Finding Your Career Path [New Jersey Association of Library Assistants]

Program Description: The masters degree in information science is very versatile, affording you many choices in your career path.  Our panelists will share their stories and help you choose what kind of library work is right for you.

Learning Objectives:

• Hear about the different types of library workplaces
• The flexibility of the degree
• Create a plan for their career development

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Think about a path forward for where they want to take their career
• Consider the options that exist within the field to meet their needs
• Build their network through mentorship and self-leadership

Panelists: 

• Carina Gonzalez (she/her) is a Senior Adult Services Librarian with the Piscataway Public Library. Her passions in librarianship include social justice, access, and intellectual freedom. She began her career as an Elementary Library Media Specialist followed by being a High School Library Media Specialist. She then went on to become an Outreach Academic Librarian before finally finding her home in public librarianship. Carina is an accomplished writer, professional web designer, and entrepreneur. You can learn more about her at www.librariancarina.com.
• Ashley Mitchell (she/her) is an Adult Services Librarian at Camden County Library System. She has been working in libraries for over 20 years with experience in Circulation Services, Technical Services, and Adult Services. Ashley is extremely passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility – she is the leader of her library’s Diversity & Inclusion Team and the NJLA Equity & Mentorship Task Force. Ashley is also active in the NJLA Diversity & Outreach Section and the Library Workers of Color Section. Ashley eagerly seeks out enriching cultural experiences in her free time and she loves cats!
• Nicole Marconi is the Collections Manager at the Hoboken Public Library. She previously worked as the Access Services Manager also at the Hoboken Public Library, and the Head of Youth Services at Newark Public Library. She is a career changer, having a thirteen year career as a professional stage manager on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theater productions. She hosts cooking and knitting tutorials at her library every month. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her cats and singing along to musical theater soundtracks.
• Ruth Ware: (she/her) is a First Generation Student/librarian representing the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. At Essex County College she is the Associate Director of Libraries, working closely with the Dean for the Center of Teaching and Learning.  She was selected for the NJLA Emerging Leaders Program 2022-2023, ACRL DOLS Mentoring Program 2022-2023 and is currently serving as member of the NJLA Leadership & Education committee and Secretary, NJLA ACRL CUS committee.   Prior to becoming a librarian, Ruth had a boutique employment agency in New York City and segued that experience to Human Resources and Learning & Development.

Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pdu-spjspE9QI2pcI4Jse6lTvSaqdK3KJ#/registration