Changing places: how a job exchange can give you the opportunity to live overseas, make new friends, boost your career and maybe even change your life

In a globalised economy, new graduates often look overseas for job opportunities; indeed, it is considered a rite of passage for many Australians to do so. Of course, new librarians are no different. But the reality of working in a profession where there are few permanent, full-time positions means those who find one are likely to want to keep it. Given the many universal qualities of librarianship, a job exchange creates the ideal scenario in which work and travel can be combined. There are benefits for both the individual and employer. Links are forged internationally, commonalities found and differences explored. It is an opportunity to broaden both personal and professional horizons, without having to leave a continuing position. This paper will outline what is required in organising a job exchange, from finding a potential exchange partner to selling the idea to library management, from the financial and legal considerations to the host library’s expectations, and what to do after the exchange