I have already mentioned in previous posts that I am the Student Rep for the MSc, and a few weeks ago I went to the first committee meeting (which was oddly interesting!)
After an interesting session of ‘Research and Practice’ however, I realised that I need to become more actively involved with CILIP (of which I am a member, but very guilty of not really doing anything further than that). There were some visiting speakers, all of whom were ‘new professionals’ within the last five years or so, and if anything I felt enthused after their talk (and not at all gloomy at the prospect of trying to find a job in the future).
One of the speakers (who didn’t actually get to give her talk due to time, but participated in the Q&A session afterwards) is a committee member of the North West branch of CILIP; and she encouraged us to get involved. Furthermore, mentioned that they could do with some MMU student members on the committee.
Well, aware that I need to try to ‘bumpf’ up my CV and experiences as much as possible, I emailed that very night asking to be considered for Student Rep and am toddling along to the NW CILIP committee meeting tomorrow.
I also enquired about joining the NW Career Development Group committee and heard back this weekend; will be getting involved in that too!
I am aware of the need for library advocacy at the moment more than anything, but I know that I can be shy. Thus, I thought putting myself forward for these committees (in which I can learn new skills and develop those I already have) will be a step (albeit small, in the grand scheme of things) in the right direction!
A library and information student in Manchester 