13 Questions With… Jason Reid

Jason Reid

Director, GCDOCS Enterprise Program Management Office, Public Works and Government Services Canada

A hero who has inspired you in your career?

Ken Cochrane – He is a dynamic and engaging leader who worked very hard to build an organisation that valued and recognized its team members.

The first job you ever held and at what age?

I worked at a golf course when I was 12 years old, I remember thinking that it was the best job in the world.

Your first position in the library and/or information services field?

I was a CR-04 Team Leader responsible for physical records management in Revenue Canada, my team and I were responsible for the annual management of more than 6,000,000 tax returns!

Coolest thing in your cubicle or office?

That’s a tough one… I have a baseball card of my oldest daughter when she was 4 years old and playing on a t-ball team, and an original piece of art from a very talented six year old daughter of one of my team leaders who visited the office one day. Both are very cool.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Golf – 4 hours all to myself…

Career advice – what’s your top tip?

Public Speaking – Being able to sway an audience to accept your point of view is very important. It is a great way to show senior management that you are passionate and knowledgeable about the subject you are presenting on, they will remember that during a job interview.

What useless skill(s) do you possess?

I still know how to code in COBOL… Who needs JAVA or .NET when you have COBOL!

Proudest moment in your professional life?

I was nominated for and won the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for saving $3 million a year in postal costs.

If you had 24 hours all to yourself, how would you best like to spend it?

I would be on a beach in the Barbados with my wife and children. Really anywhere out of cell phone range with my wife and children would be a great 24 hours.

If you didn’t work in the information industry, what would you be doing?

I would own my own company or I would be working in sales.

Finish this sentence: “In high school, I would have been voted the person most likely to … “

Win the Masters, World Curling Championship and play in the NBA.

How do you stay current in your field?

I have been fortunate enough to make great friends in the IM field, we meet regularly to discuss trends. I am a member of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat IM Policy Sub-Committee where we discuss everything IM and I read on line articles from organisations like Gartner, AIIM and ARMA.

What would you like your headstone to read?

Here lies Jason Reid, he met his retention and disposition schedule with grace, eloquence and class.

Focus on… Mê-Linh Lê

Highlighting research by members of the Canadian library and information management community.

Mê-Linh Lê

Health Sciences Centre Librarian, Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library, University of Manitoba

What is your research topic?

My current research focuses on the information needs of public health students.

The troublesome nature of public health information has long been discussed in the literature, due in part to its multidisciplinary nature, poor application of metadata, and the fact that much of it is found in the grey literature. While there has been work done on better serving the needs of public health professionals, there is next to nothing on library services for public health students. Further complicating this is the fact that, at least at the pilot site, many public health students are international students, many of whom may be totally unfamiliar with the way North American libraries are structured (e.g., free access to resources, liaison librarians), and for whom English may not be their first language.

I felt it was important to gain a better understanding of these students with extremely diverse educational backgrounds both to aid in my own professional practice, and in the hopes of encouraging more work in this area.

What interested you in that topic?

I have worked with public health professionals in both governmental and academic settings, and find myself truly fascinated (and overwhelmed!) with the sheer depth and breadth of their knowledge and the answers they are seeking.

As a health sciences librarian I am particularly interested in public health as I can see the direct impact it has on my daily life. For example, public health researchers looking for evidence on the effectiveness of urban speed limits convey their findings to policy makers – which may then result in a change in the speed limit on my street. That direct application of visible evidence to practice drives my interest in public health, and thus motivates my research in ensuring that the complete spectrum of public health workers, from students to researcher, is fully equipped to access the information they need.

What impact would you like to see your research have on LIS practitioners?

My primary objective is to encourage more LIS researchers and practitioners to more closely examine public health information needs and to devise ways in which we can both better serve them and to come up with more effective ways to organize the literature. I am already seeing more work now than I did in the last few years, and that is so encouraging. I am happy on a personal note as it aids me in my daily work (somewhat selfish I know!), but it also means that the evidence base is growing and that our provision of service to these unique users is hopefully getting better as well.

I also hope that my work encourages other health sciences librarians or information professionals to look beyond our traditional user groups (doctors, nurses, pharmacists) and consider the kinds of resources and needs of public health students and workers. For example, a public health research question will not be satisfactorily answered with a quick scan of Medline or CINAHL.

What emerging topics do you foresee in the future of LIS research?

Well, I am not sure if these topics are in the future or already here in full force. One of the topics – the preservation, access, and provision of data and research (seen most clearly in research data management and the open access movement) – is an extremely challenging area with a lot of complexity, but I think librarians, archivists, and records-managers are well-suited to the task and I look forward to seeing where the research goes.

Another area I hope to see receive more attention is the increasingly frustrating world of electronic books. I think everyone – students, librarians, publishers, vendors – are not quite sure where electronic books are going (I often see it likened to a ‘Wild West’) and that can be difficult. I would love to see some work on libraries taking a stronger stance when it comes to eBooks and whether that impacts current eBook models and practices.

What advice would you give to LIS students or practitioners hoping to engage in research?

My best advice is to just get started!

There are so many opportunities out there for new researchers and I think you just have to get over your initial fear and jump right in. Skim the table of contents of journals you currently read – it will give you an idea of the kind of work out there getting published. Not everything has to be groundbreaking or revelatory work. For many librarians some of the most useful papers out there are case studies – which are relatively simple to write up. Start small with things like conference poster or book reviews and go from there. The vast majority of librarians are an extremely encouraging group who thrive on collaboration so start talking with your colleagues or fellow students. They might be working on something and need assistance, or they may be able to fill in a gap in your research project. You never know where a potential project might spring from.

Select Bibliography

Duncan, V., Kumaran, M., Lê, M. and Murphy, S. 2013. Mobile devices and their use in library professional practice: The health librarian and the iPad. Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship, 25(3). [Forthcoming].

Lê, M. 2013. Information needs of public health staff in a knowledge translation setting in Canada. Journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association, 34(01): 3-11, 10.5596/c13-001.

Lê, M. 2012. The use of anonymous pop-quizzes (APQs) as a tool to reinforce learning. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 100(4): 316–319, 10.3163/1536-5050.100.4.017.

13 Questions With… Dawn Bassett

Dawn Bassett

Coordinator, Library Services, Canadian Grain Commission

A hero who has inspired you in your career?

I have many “heros” but the librarian that immediately comes to mind is Dean Giustini. Dean is the head of the Biomedical Branch Library at the Gordon and Leslie Diamond Healthcare Centre, an amazing instructor at UBC’s School of Library and Archival Information Studies, an a blogger at http://blogs.ubc.ca/dean/. I was fortunate to have Dean as an instructor in library school, then as an employer at UBC and although I have moved on in my career I still follow him through his blog and Twitter. I admire Dean’s dedication to librarianship, his support of his students and his curiosity about social media. I hope that I can inspire library students and my colleagues one day the way that Dean inspired me when I was first starting out.

The first job you ever held and at what age?

Donut and coffee slinger, Robin’s Donuts – Age 16

Your first position in the library and/or information services field?

Central records clerk and Library Assistant in a Biopharmaceutical company.

Coolest thing in your cubicle or office?

A c1970’s transistor radio that I use to listen to the CBC morning show and Q with Jian Gomeshi every morning. We don’t have access to streaming radio where I work so this old technology is my new best friend. The radio was pulled out of storage and given to me by my colleague who is the coolest human in my office on a given day.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Anything written, directed or produced by Joss Whedon, with the exception of Dollhouse.

Career advice – what’s your top tip?

Never be afraid to say yes to a learning opportunity that scares you.

What useless skill(s) do you possess?

I have a killer memory for song lyrics. This is both a blessing (trivia) and a curse (having really annoying songs stuck in my head when I really need to remember something important like where I put my keys).

Proudest moment in your professional life?

Co-developing and implementing a pilot and subsequent training plan for bringing social media to my department this year.

If you had 24 hours all to yourself, how would you best like to spend it?

With my husband, 5-year old son and 17-year old step son somewhere sunny and warm with good food.

If you didn’t work in the information industry, what would you be doing?

If I was independently wealthy I would be back in school trying to complete my Master of Arts degree, but since I am not independently wealthy, I would probably be an executive assistant and if I was really lucky, I would be working in production management for a theatre company.

Finish this sentence: “In high school, I would have been voted the person most likely to … “

Be a performer – I was in many theatre productions in high school. My first diploma from a post secondary education was a diploma in Stage Management.

How do you stay current in your field?

I am involved in a number of professional organizations and committees both inside and outside of my workplace. I try to read as much library/information related news and experiment with new technology and new social media tools as I can. I try to take advantage of learning opportunities that come my way. I I receive most of my library/tech news these days through RSS, Twitter, LinkedIn and my favorite blogs. I try to connect with my colleagues as often as I can either through one of the social media networks or in person.

What would you like your headstone to read?

“Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.” – Dalai Lama

13 Questions With… Kerry Macdonald

Kerry Macdonald

Hospital Librarian, Seven Oaks General Hospital (University of Manitoba)

A hero who has inspired you in your career?

I suppose people often say someone famous when asked this question, but I think I’m fortunate to have had many people in my life that have played a key role in helping me achieve my goals. I always admired Pat Routledge, my Library Technician Instructor, for her wisdom, dedication, positive attitude, level-headed perspective, and professionalism. She continued to be a very important role model for me as I went back to do my Masters. I am also fortunate to work with a diverse group of people at the University of Manitoba. Many of them inspire and encourage me daily.

The first job you ever held and at what age?

Like many others at a young age, I had a paper route. My most significant memory of this job was the day I decided I would deviously throw all of my papers over the fence and into a deserted lot on my route. Shortly after arriving home, my mother looked at me, rather sternly and knowingly, “So… did you deliver ALL your papers today?” To this day, I don’t know how she knew.

Your first position in the library and/or information services field?

My first library job was a part time student position in the Library at the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER). CIER was an incredible place to work with some really fantastic people who were very passionate about what they were doing. I met people at CIER that I am still friends with today. I love what the organization stands for – check them out online at http://www.ppw.ca/.

Coolest thing in your cubicle or office?

A photograph of Jean Chrétien on a treadmill.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Coffee with Baileys on a Saturday morning.

Career advice – what’s your top tip?

Network, network and then network some more. This doesn’t come naturally to some of us in libraries. But the rewards for doing it are plentiful and often surprising. A wise librarian once said to me that it’s not about what you can get from the relationships that you’re trying to build, but about what you might have to offer others. What a great perspective!

What useless skill(s) do you possess?

I wish I could think of something useless but still catchy or interesting, but all that comes to mind is the fact that I used to be able to do the moonwalk. I can tell you that I spent a lot of time in my pre-teens and teens learning how to whistle and snap. I can still only snap with my right hand. Considering how much time and energy I spent learning these skills at such a late age, they’re pretty useless to me.

Proudest moment in your professional life?

Nothing comes immediately to mind.

If you had 24 hours all to yourself, how would you best like to spend it?

I suppose I’m fortunate in that I do sometimes get 24 hours all to myself. I often spend it catching up on work, errands, cleaning or attending to things I feel I must get done. One of my major challenges in life is slowing down. My goal this year is to spend more of my free time being in the moment, rather than hustling around and trying to get more done on my never ending to-do list.

If you didn’t work in the information industry, what would you be doing?

Cliché, but I think I probably would’ve ended up being a teacher. There have been two or three times in life that I’ve almost gone that route. But everything happens for a reason and I think I make a better librarian than I would a grade school teacher. If I were to leave libraries tomorrow, I think I’d become a yoga instructor.

Finish this sentence: “In high school, I would have been voted the person most likely to … “

…be a librarian. Ok, perhaps not, but almost. I don’t live in the same province that I went to school in. Over the years, Facebook has connected me with many of my old high school and undergraduate classmates. Whenever I tell them what I do, I get a resounding, “I can totally see that!” or “That is sooo you!”. I’m never quite sure how I should take that.

How do you stay current in your field?

I read, listen, and try to take part in things whenever I can. It’s great to keep on top of the literature, but we are a humble bunch in libraries and we often don’t write and publish about our activities or experiences. Sometimes, some of the best information can be discovered by connecting with colleagues through things like listservs, conferences, and association work (see the bit above about networking!).

What would you like your headstone to read?

Finished her bucket list.

Focus On… Jorden Smith

Jorden Smith

Public Services Librarian, University of Alberta Libraries

What is your research topic?

My research projects generally focus on information literacy (IL), including two current projects involving undergraduate researchers and pre-service teachers. I am working with the University of Alberta’s Undergraduate Research Initiative to examine how undergraduate researchers find the information they need for all aspects of the research process as a means to explore ways the library can provide effective support.

I am also undertaking a project with a former colleague in Education where we are evaluating how pre-service teachers find the information and images necessary to inform and present a digital Canadian historical narrative presented from an Aboriginal or French-Canadian perspective.

What interested you in that topic?

What really got me into information literacy was my experience teaching junior high Social Studies. Information literacy permeates the curriculum and inquiry-based projects and provides engaging learning opportunities, but it was a struggle to find ways to offer meaningful and differentiated IL instruction in a classroom. I had a student write a report on Russian worldviews but she used a 1962 World Book Encyclopedia as her source, and it was an eye-opening moment for me. Many of the students had little-to-no experience locating, accessing, and using information for academic purposes, so the notion of currency did not factor into this student’s choice of resource. During library school I opted to do a thesis which gave me the opportunity to explore some of the questions that arose during my teaching experience. It continues to be a focal point for me and a source of continued interest.

What impact would you like to see your research have on LIS practitioners?

I hope it helps others develop informed practices and studies. I’ve learned so much from the work of other LIS professionals. Ultimately, I hope it encourages others to pursue the questions that intrigue them.

What emerging topics do you foresee in the future of LIS research?

Where to start!? There are so many interesting questions and means of exploring them. In the future, I think there will be greater use of visual, narrative, and community-based research methods within LIS. What I really hope to see is a study of the correlation between librarian cardigan-wearing and perceptions of cognitive authority.

What advice would you give to LIS students or practitioners hoping to engage in research?

When you have a question that excites you, pursue it. It may be a tough slog at times but it is worth the effort. Finding a great collaborator goes a long way. I’ve been very lucky and have worked with wonderful people who’ve made my research experiences all the more rewarding.

Select Bibliography

Smith, Jorden, Kathleen DeLong, Lisa Given, Heidi Julien, and Dana Ouellette. 2013. “Information Literacy Proficiency: Assessing the Gap in High School Students’ Readiness for Undergraduate Academic Work.” Library and Information Science Research 35 (2): 88-96. doi: 10.1016/j.lisr.2012.12.001

Smith, Jorden. “Secondary Teachers and Information Literacy (IL): Their Understanding and Perceptions of IL within their Classrooms.” Library and Information Science Research (Forthcoming, 2013).

Smith, Jorden. “Examining Secondary School Teacher Understanding of Information Literacy.” Master’s thesis, University of Alberta, 2011. ProQuest (MR89937).

13 Questions With… Graham Lavender

Graham Lavender

Teaching and Learning Librarian, Seneca Libraries

A hero who has inspired you in your career?

Amy Buckland, who accomplished more innovative projects during library school than most librarians do in their entire careers and somehow still had (and still has) time to provide all sorts of support for her classmates and colleagues.

The first job you ever held and at what age?

Not counting camp counselor, my first job was at the deli counter at Loblaws in high school – I was 17 or so.

Your first position in the library and/or information services field?

While working on my MLIS, I worked part-time at the McGill Library doing special projects with Library Technology Services – things like investigating which academic libraries were using Meebo for chat reference and helping with a major overhaul of the Library website.

Coolest thing in your cubicle or office?

A note from my sister-in-law and her husband congratulating me on my new job, with a Photoshopped picture of me wearing a sombrero and drinking a margarita in a 1950s library.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Glee – I mean the TV show, but also the feeling I get while watching it.

Career advice – what’s your top tip?

Take any opportunity to network, whether you’re a student, a job seeker, or an employed professional. Even if you don’t need to find a job immediately, meeting people now will give you the opportunity to learn from others and build a strong, supportive network.

What useless skill(s) do you possess?

I speak some Esperanto.

Proudest moment in your professional life?

I felt very proud of my networking skills when I received a phone call from Tanis Fink, Chief Librarian and Director of Seneca Libraries, inviting me to interview for a position I hadn’t even heard about yet. (And yes, I’m working in that position now!)

If you had 24 hours all to yourself, how would you best like to spend it?

Windsurfing, taking photos, and sleeping.

If you didn’t work in the information industry, what would you be doing?

Something in the tech field, perhaps with educational technology.

Finish this sentence: “In high school, I would have been voted the person most likely to … “

Find a job that would allow me to sleep in until noon every day. (I’m still working on that…)

How do you stay current in your field?

I read a lot of blogs and try to get out and talk to as many other librarians as I can, often through networking events and conferences, but also just by meeting people for tea.

What would you like your headstone to read?

A QR code that links to my blog – in case I find a way to post from beyond the grave.

13 Questions With… Cara MacDonald

Cara MacDonald

Reference Services Manager, Scotiabank Family History Centre, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

A hero who has inspired you in your career?

My hero is an anti-hero: my 4th Great grandfather. He was a very rough man, a one-armed bootlegger who was feared in his community. These stories ignited my passion for genealogy and I wondered how I could make researching family history a career.

The first job you ever held and at what age?

When I was 16 I worked at a kiosk in a mall that sold family crests and surname histories. Unbeknownst to me it was a sign of things to come.

Your first position in the library and/or information services field?

My first job in the library field was here at Pier 21. As a student, I worked summers as a Research Assistant at the Scotiabank Family History Centre.

Coolest thing in your cubicle or office?

My super huge wooden desk that is never quite large enough to contain all my research notes.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Eating food and watching television in bed. All day…but just on the weekends, of course!

Career advice – what’s your top tip?

Be enthusiastic! Enthusiasm communicates that you love what you do and employers, colleagues and the public will respond to your positivity.

What useless skill(s) do you possess?

I personally don’t think that any skill is useless but one useless thing I can do is bend my fingers really far back (at the knuckles where my fingers join my hand, I’m “double jointed”, I’m told it’s kind of gross).

Proudest moment in your professional life?

Without a doubt, my proudest moment was being offered the position of Reference Services Manager at the Scotiabank Family History Centre.

If you had 24 hours all to yourself, how would you best like to spend it?

In an archive that holds all the answers to my own genealogical mysteries.

If you didn’t work in the information industry, what would you be doing?

Possibly an animator (my first diploma) or touring the world with my band (I wish!).

Finish this sentence: “In high school, I would have been voted the person most likely to … “

…get caught in a mosh! (ref: Anthrax (Musical group). (1987). Among the living. New York, N.Y: Island Records.)

How do you stay current in your field?

Publications from genealogical associations, mailing lists, listservs, magazines, social media and networking.

What would you like your headstone to read?

To find out more please visit: www . caramacdonaldgenealogy . com

Focus On… Melissa Fraser-Arnott

Focus On… is a new feature on the CLA Government Library and Information Management Professionals Network website.

Each month we will profile research by a member of the Canadian library and IM community.

Melissa Fraser-Arnott

Doctoral Student, Queensland University of Technology (SJSU Gateway PhD Program)

What is your research topic?

I am studying the professional identities of library and information science (LIS) graduates in non-traditional roles. Non-traditional jobs for LIS graduates may include positions outside of libraries and in other industry sectors; new or unusual job titles, such as metadata specialist or data analyst; or jobs with traditional titles (such as librarian) in traditional settings such as libraries or archives but which involve new tasks such as working with emerging technologies or offering new, value added information services. A professional identity is a particular type of identity that is focused on an individual’s sense of self in relation to their occupation, work or professional life.

What interested you in that topic?

Most of my career to date has involved non-traditional roles. I have been a “hidden librarian” performing librarian-type tasks such as alert services, information resource building, and technology training in a non-library environment (as a Commercial Officer in a government department); a librarian in a non-traditional library setting (an electronic library that built its collection through content partnerships with non-governmental organizations with Creative Commons licenses); and as a librarian in a traditional library setting engaged in non-traditional tasks (I’m the office SharePoint expert and have provided information management guidance on content projects). Taking on these types of roles that seemed very different from what my colleagues in public and academic libraries were doing made me think about my role and the roles of others in positions like mine in the larger LIS community.

What impact would you like to see your research have on LIS practitioners?

I think that exploring the experiences of LIS graduates in non-traditional roles can help LIS schools and professional associations in developing professional development programming for LIS graduates that open up a new range of employment opportunities.

Like many others in our profession, I believe that the information-related skill set that we possess can allow us to add value to a number of environments, but that employers are not always aware of the range of an LIS graduates capabilities, especially when they continue to associate our profession only with books and traditional library services.

I hope that my work will help LIS practitioners in the pursuit of non-traditional, alternative, or unusual career opportunities.

What emerging topics do you foresee in the future of LIS research?

Library and information science is a very rich field that is tied to a number of diverse disciplines.

My fellow students in the SJSU-QUT Gateway PhD program are all working on fascinating research topics that combine research from multiple disciplines. For example, we have PhD students working on information hoarding in cloud computing recordkeeping environments, use of web 2.0 technologies to facilitate teamwork and information sharing, education strategies for teaching the use of information resources, and library use of influence strategies in obtaining funding to name a few.

As a practitioner, I believe that LIS professionals can best demonstrate their value by showing their role in business operations (i.e. through direct interaction in the workflows of their host organizations). I believe that integration with other disciplines will also be important to our research future.

What advice would you give to LIS students or practitioners hoping to engage in research?

I had dreamed of entering a PhD program since I finished my MLIS degree, but didn’t think that I’d had enough research experience or exposure to the academic environment to be able to realize that dream. I hadn’t taken the opportunity to do a research project in my Masters’ program and then had worked in special and public libraries rather than academic libraries where scholarly research and publishing are encouraged. Even when working in other types of library environments, however, I had been developing my research, information gathering and writing skills by performing tasks such as preparing research backgrounders, performing information audits, and developing program evaluation tools.

When I applied to the SJSU-QUT Gateway PhD program they considered these types of research experiences valuable even though I didn’t have a scholarly publishing portfolio. The advice, therefore, that I would give an LIS student or practitioner hoping to engage in research is to go out and try it – whether it is publishing an article for a peer-reviewed or non-peer-reviewed journal, holding a conference session, or even applying for a PhD program. As long as you have an idea that you believe is worth researching there are ways to get the research work done.

13 Questions With… Michelle Gabourie

Michelle Gabourie

Owner, MB Knowledge Solutions

A hero who has inspired you in your career?

I think that anyone who has accomplished a balance between a rewarding career and family will always be a hero to me. However, what has driven me to the place I am now, are my parents. My parents took a huge risk and started their own business while also starting a family. More inspiring is that they were also able to ‘give back’ by starting a non-profit organization (niagarafoot.com). In my career I hope I can do the same even if only in a small way, in comparison to what they have done.

The first job you ever held and at what age?

I begged my parents to let me have a job when I was 13. Without a driver’s licence, and living in a rural area, it most likely would have been more of an inconvenience to them. However, to allow me to learn about the responsibility of working they let me work at a local pet store, without pay. At the pet store I held a regular schedule and worked once or twice a week for almost a year.

Your first position in the library and/or information services field?

During my Masters program at UofT I applied for, and was awarded a student job at DeBeers Canada. At the beginning of the MIS program I made it very clear that I had no interest in library services and was instead aiming to work in ‘knowledge management’. I was surprised to find out that in some cases those roles are one in the same. At DeBeers I learned how knowledge management and library services are intertwined, and how important they were in a large organization. I can honestly say that without my job at DeBeers I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Coolest thing in your cubicle or office?

As I run my own business from home my workspace often changes on a daily basis. I do have a dedicated office, but sometimes for a change of scenery I work at the kitchen table, outside (in the summer) or even on the couch. My officemate (and dog) Macaroni is probably the coolest thing that frequents all of my work spaces. He doesn’t really contribute to my work per se, but when I’m hard at work he does remind me to have some sort of work/life balance.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Bargain hunting. It’s the thrill of the hunt for me. I guess my guilty pleasure is actually two-fold because bargain hunting is only thrilling when it has to do with shopping. If I find something I want; new shoes, new purse or even new electronics, I can almost always find it cheaper elsewhere. I will spend time finding promo-codes and searching online retailers until I’m satisfied with my savings. That’s not to say I always buy what I find, half the fun is the research.

Career advice – what’s your top tip?

Keep trying, even if it means taking chances or re-inventing yourself. If I didn’t work at DeBeers I never would have learned how much I enjoy information management (specifically SharePoint). I have had a lot of different jobs that I thought were the right ‘fit’ for me, but in the end I’ve ended up creating my ‘right fit’. In a lot of the jobs I held I never felt fully utilized, I always wanted to do more and learn more. Many times I was told to just ‘let things happen’ even if it meant being in-efficient. Instead of sitting back, I took on extra work, took extra courses and networked as much as I could. Now, I have a full schedule, work that I find rewarding, and rarely am I underutilized or bored.

What useless skill(s) do you possess?

I can predict the outcome of most movies and TV shows before they end. This ‘skill’ drives my fiancé nuts so I’ve started to bite my tongue, but most of the time I’m right. Sometimes it’s just a guess that I accidentally blurt out, but then by the end of the show I end up being right. Maybe in another life I was a screenwriter, or it’s just a lot of dumb luck.

Proudest moment in your professional life?

I’m pretty proud of myself right now. I hit a few ‘bumps’ along the way, but I feel like I am where I want to be at this point in my life. Not only am I working for myself, I am working with organizations that I am so proud to be working with, like CAMH. I always wanted to do something that helped other people, and my work with CAMH does and will. I don’t know what will be next for me professionally, but that I took the risk and started my own business is something that I am proud of right now.

If you had 24 hours all to yourself, how would you best like to spend it?

Cleaning and reading. Despite what most people think, working from home and for yourself does not mean more time to yourself. Admittedly I can start making dinner while ‘at work’, but the majority of the time it means always being at work and working more hours in a day than I would at an offsite office. So, if I had a day without deadlines, I would clean every inch of my house and go outside and read a book cover to cover.

If you didn’t work in the information industry, what would you be doing?

Like many of us from generation Y, I have had a lot of drastically different ideas of my ‘ideal career’. I wanted to be a veterinarian for a very long time. I still think that it would have been a fantastic career, but probably much more emotionally straining than I would like. I always wanted to run my own business and work for myself, so regardless of the industry I think that’s what I would be striving for.

Finish this sentence: “In high school, I would have been voted the person most likely to … “

Have my own business. This may seem like a compliment, but at the time it was probably more to do with the fact that I was very opinionated and strong minded, and less to do with the fact that I am hard-working and ambitious. I’m still opinionated and strong-minded, but I’ve learned how to develop a balance between those personality traits and cultivating working relationships.

How do you stay current in your field?

As a PMP I am regularly on PMI.org to learn more about how I can efficiently manage projects and what new tools I can utilize to do so. As an information and learning consultant I subscribe to a number of different community groups and forums to stay abreast of any new developments. I also find that LinkedIn is a fantastic way to learn about what others in my field are doing and to follow companies I’m interested in.

What would you like your headstone to read?

I haven’t put a lot of thought into this, but if I had to memorialize myself in one sentence I would want it to say ‘She did more than exist, she lived. She did more than listen, she understood. She loved people and laughter’.

13 Questions With… Tanya Snook

Tanya Snook

Senior Project Officer, Information Management, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
giik (IA, UX, BA, web, analytics, sm) & tech blogger (gadgets, apps, how-to, Star Wars, Lego)
(aka spydergrrl)

Credit: Kim / Lemien.ca

A hero who has inspired you in your career?

My mom, whom I consider to be an honorary geek girl. She was what we call in French “débrouillarde” — she was incredibly adept at adapting. She taught me that I’m pretty much made of rubber, and can bounce back from anything. She was by no means a geek but she exhibited all the values I love in geek girls: feisty, smart, opinionated, passionate and “débroullarde”. These are all characteristics that I value and that I think have served me well working in some very male-dominated environments.

The first job you ever held and at what age?

Flyer delivery, age 10. Lasted 2 weeks once I realized I was making $5 to deliver flyers to 200 houses.

Your first position in the library and/or information services field?

I was first handed a website to redevelop in my first job out of school back in 1998. I spent a lot of time researching content organization, which started me down the path to IA. Turns out, I didn’t even think of myself as an IA until someone else told me I was one almost 10 years later.

Coolest thing in your cubicle or office?

A Lego cubicle that The Dude (my son, age 10) made which features me at my computer with Star Wars desktop image, and my coffee. And most importantly, a Lego piece symbolizing the Lego cubicle resting on my desk.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Twizzlers.

Career advice – what’s your top tip?

Developing an online presence can establish your authority and help build your reputation related to skills that may not be entirely relevant to your degree or even to your first job. By researching and writing about topics that interest you or in which you may be knowledgeable, you can demonstrate how multifaceted your skill set really is (vs. how it might appear on your resume). Case in point: my LinkedIn profile is full of endorsements for social media, but my work history includes far more web management, analytics and e-marketing. The social media rep has grown from my involvement in the medium and the community, especially ranting away on my blog and Twitter accounts. Those have led to pro bono projects and speaking engagements that, at the time, were entirely unrelated to my day job — another great way to build skills and reputation to further my knowledge base, and in turn my career. It’s important to remember that your current (or first job is not going to define your career; it’s a stepping stone. Whether you blog your obsession with video games or you offer insightful critiques of world events, you are developing a persona and a voice (and probably skills) that can make you even more attractive to future employers. Branching out and demonstrating your capacity beyond the job, through social media and especially blogging, can open up your network and potential future career opportunities.

What useless skill(s) do you possess?

I can sing in Hindi. Long story.

Proudest moment in your professional life?

Every year during the first few seconds of the UX Camp Ottawa (a volunteer-driven user experience conference that I co-chair). That is the culmination of a collaborative effort that spans 9 months, and it’s always a huge thrill when we kick off the day. That feeling is what brings me back to help put it together year over year.

If you had 24 hours all to yourself, how would you best like to spend it?

A long run, a soak in the hot tub, and hours of sitting in a coffee shop blogging away.

If you didn’t work in the information industry, what would you be doing?

I’d be a concierge in a hotel. I worked in a hotel for a couple of years and I always wanted to do that role full time. You have to research the city, network with local businesses and be in the know on what’s going on around town. And you get to solve puzzles, trying to suggest experiences to fit guests whom you just met for the first time. Plus, it has all the customer experience delivery of the front desk without all of the headache of bad room experiences (and turning people away when the hotel is overbooked).

Finish this sentence: “In high school, I would have been voted the person most likely to … “

Be 14 in Grade 13. (There was a lot confusion about my age when I came from Manitoba and went from Grade 11 to Grade 13. In fact, I was 16.)

How do you stay current in your field?

I have an innate need to know how things work so I’m always reading and researching. My Google Reader has been carefully curated over the last 5 years and always has hundreds of new sources of information in web, tech, UX, etc. (We won’t talk about the fact that GReader is being shut down and I will need to re-categorize all those feeds in a new reader. #sadPanda)

What would you like your headstone to read?

Still learning.