Learning From Failure: From MLIS to the Academic Library

No one is a stranger to failure, we sometimes do not get the jobs we desperately wanted, or the promotion we worked so hard for. But with every failure we experience in our career comes an opportunity to learn, to improve and to make us better for our next project or venture. This is especially true for new library professionals struggling to acquire or establish themselves in a coveted Academic or Special Library position. Sometimes this road to success is the most difficult. After completing an internship at MU Library, I knew I wanted to be an academic librarian. However, despite applying for a number of posts I was unsuccessful in getting called for interview. I started to look for feedback, so that I could learn from this experience. I received much valuable advice including the need to network, the need to engage with professional bodies, serve on committees and advice on my CV and interview technique. This poster will explore how I learned from both formal feedback from HR units and advice from established librarians and educators. Ultimately, for our individual or organizational failures to be of benefit and improvement within the field of Academic and Special libraries, it is essential that we should be open and accepting of our failures and utilize them to serve as a guide to those who will follow ensuring lessons learned as a profession prove beneficial to all