DUSLA/SCALA Holiday Party!

DUSLA/SCALA Holiday Party  — with (in no particular order) Katie M. Lewis, Sarah Parnell, Erin DeFord, Ned Wells, Sio Bhan, Alexandria Capone, Maeryn Obley, Joseph Neptune Keslar, Kate Masterton, Joe Schaffner,Shawn Woodson, Marrette Pearsall, Evan Peugh, Allison De Weerd 

2012 Holiday Party

Chrystelle's SLA Chicago Experience

I know it's a bit late to share my experiences of SLA's 2012 annual conference, but I figured I would post it here anyway. I want to reinforce the importance of participating in association activities. Not only do they help you create and grow your career, it propels the field of information services forward.   Consider becoming more active in your local SLA (or library) association. You won't regret it.

I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend SLA Chicago. Not only did I meet a lot of great people, ranging in expertise, experience and career choice, it broadened my own career aspirations. It was a great supplement for the lack of discussion concerning special libraries in the classroom. Traditional (and current) library curriculum focuses on public and academic librarianship with little discourse offered beyond these career paths.

This is one reason I value my membership with the SLA – it has offered knowledge of the myriad of options I have with my pending degree. For example, I could become a librarian for nationally known non-profit or a client services manager for a well renowned publisher or work as an analyst for the military. While I was somewhat aware of these types of positions, these possibilities became more within reach the more I spoke with fellow attendees. Previous to the conference, I would have not had considered any of these possibilities due to lack of awareness. Moreover, it was important to learn about different titles other than “librarian”.

Allison and I

SLA Chicago conference instilled a confidence in my career path (and subsequently myself) I had not experienced prior to attending. Part of this newly found assurance was due to the exposure of possible career opportunities; however, most of it was due to the acceptance of this vast library community.  Everyone I met was interested, and seemed vested, in my success as an information professional. At every networking event someone offered to look over my resume, gave me valuable advice or wanted to establish a long lasting professional relationship. I would have never understood the value in professional community had I not attended this marvelous event. 

On a boat tour of Chicago. 

After coming back, I am determined to participate and serve within the SLA community. I now truly understand the value of this association. It propels the library & information profession forward. After graduating, I am especially interested in helping future library students find their footing and to pay forward the generosity that has been bestowed upon me.

It is important to thank the Philadelphia Chapter for busting their bums year after year to ensure students have this great opportunity. The last bit of wisdom I have in regards to my SLA experience, is that you must always take offered professional opportunities and to do otherwise would be foolish. 

Thanks for taking the time to read.

--Chrystelle Browman
President of DUSLA
chrystellebrowman.com