NextGen: Why I Went Parapro

After recently completing my MLIS through the online program at San Jose State University, CA, I realized that my ideal career would be in an academic library. I was an intern at the Sonoma State University Library, and, not wanting to uproot my family, I was determined to get a full-time job there in whatever capacity was available to me.

My solution: I accepted a paraprofessional job. It has proven to be a wise decision. I have gained both knowledge and confidence in only three months of paraprofessional work. It's experience I would not have acquired if I were still searching for a librarian position, or only reading the professional literature while working in a job outside the field.

Some of the attitudes expressed in recent articles concerning MLIS graduates who have taken paraprofessional positions, however, have been disappointing and discouraging. I do not agree that taking a paraprofessional job is an issue of “settling,” as mentioned in the “Entry-Level Gap, Revisited” (LJ 10/1/07). In fact, I believe if one's ultimate goal is to secure a professional position as a librarian, a paraprofessional position can be an astute move for an MLIS grad with little or no experience—especially in such a competitive job market.

After being repeatedly challenged about why I would accept a paraprofessional position as an MLIS graduate, I feel compelled to make a case for myself—and for the other eight percent in my situation as of 2005 (“The Jobs Can Be Found,” LJ 9/01/07).

As a Library Services Specialist at Sonoma State, I am in a unique situation. My job presents me with the opportunity to observe, talk to, and work with several professional librarians. I spend many hours each week working in a range of departments: reference, circulation, instruction, marketing, and the art gallery. With different librarians and different responsibilities in each area, I can easily compare and evaluate the similarities and the differences among the departments and understand the strengths and talents required of each area of librarianship. It is not only great work experience, it is great personal experience.

Starting out in a paraprofessional position affords me the opportunity for both networking and on-the-job education. In my current job, the professionals I meet not only give me advice, but they also can vouch for my performance. I am able to stay current in relation to both continuing education and new technologies in the library—and in the field. For example, I often hear about conferences and opportunities in my daily work, so I don't have to struggle on my own to stay informed or come home from an exhausting day in a nonlibrary job to do research on my own, trying to make connections and meet people.

Every day, I hone my skills, with assignments that teach me public speaking, program development, fundraising, collection development, and communications. Working on a wide range of projects, I see and understand the daily functions of the library and the structure for getting things done. The different patrons I work with daily have given me a broader understanding of the whole library population, as opposed to only those needing help (reference desk), paying fines (circulation desk), or fulfilling requirements (instruction workshops). As an intern, I was completely unaware of the circulation policies, for example. Now, I have a much fuller grasp on why those policies exist.

I wanted to become an academic librarian because I love students. They are engaging, entertaining, and challenging. I can't think of how many times I have had to stifle a laugh at some of the responses I get at the reference desk, for instance, when I ask a student when their paper is due and they look at their watch. It reminds me of when I was a student just trying to get through finals or finish a paper. Without these reminders, I might give up and accept a position in another field or lose track of my focus. Taking a paraprofessional position has been an excellent opportunity to stay engaged, to build new skills, and especially to realize my strengths and minimize my weaknesses as I move toward a professional position.

I don't mean to slight the differences and responsibilities between professional librarans and paraprofessionals. But there is sincere value in the work paraprofessionals do and the skills one can develop in a paraprofessional position. So why not consider a paraprofessional position as a place to begin a long career as a professional librarian? For me, it is has proven to be rewarding, and a great way to learn, participate, even thrive in my chosen field.