The musings of a communications co-op student
BEFORE I BAGAN my co-op position at the University of Guelph Library in May this year, I had never worked a real full-time job. I had no idea what to expect. I had no idea what I was doing. I had never gone shopping for adult clothes. I certainly didn’t know how much the library had to offer, or how much I had to learn.
If you’re anything like me, you know that you’re fairly capable in an academic setting, but when it comes to starting an actual job in your field, it’s really intimidating. I want to share some of the things I’ve learned over the past eight months working as a Communications Officer at the U of G Library. I survived, and I’ve loved every minute of it. Here are the top five things I’ve learned:
1 — The library is more than just a place to study
I’ve spent a lot of time in the library. I love the big windows and the studious atmosphere, the comfortable seating and the convenience of Starbucks. Before I began my co-op, I thought I knew pretty much everything I needed to about the library. “Yeah they offer writing support and Supported Learning Groups (SLGs) — but I don’t have time for that.” Little did I know that I needed to make time for those things.
My experience with the library has opened my eyes to an entire world of academic resources, and I have begun to realize that I should be taking advantage of them. My first- and second-year study techniques went something like this: purchase all of my textbooks for anywhere between $40 and $120, then spend about 30 hours per week in lectures, reading and making notes, and completing assignments, all to finish the semester with a 80 per cent average if I’m lucky. If I could go back and do those two years over again, I would be maximizing my time and money using the library: opting out of buying textbooks and borrowing from the library’s Course Reserves when available, replacing hours of reading with SLGs to maximize learning of relevant course content, and reviewing my assignments with Writing Services. If I had been utilizing the library like I should have been in the last two years at U of G, I know that things could have gone a lot smoother.
The library is packed full of some of the most passionate and caring individuals I have ever encountered. Tucked behind the scenes, these extraordinary staff members spend their time curating workshops and content to help make university just a little bit easier for students. Trust these people and seek them out when you need help. The library is the place to go when looking for assistance with just about anything. Whether you’re struggling with time management, need to practice your presentation in front of someone other than your mom, or you’re publishing a paper, the library has an expert who can help.
2 — Working in your field isn’t as scary as you think
Have you ever heard the saying “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life?” I have. All the time. And yeah that sounds great, but what are the chances? What if I’m not that lucky? On my first day at the library I was so nervous. What if I’m not smart enough, clever enough? What if I suck? What if everyone hates me? It turns out, working a professional job is easy, when you enjoy it. I could never walk into a biology lab and run experiments on plants — (1.) because I am not a biology major, and (2.) because that’s just not what I’m interested in. However, taking photos for social media, writing articles, having brainstorming sessions… I love that stuff! And it turns out I’m not bad at it. Trust your program and have faith in your passions (even if you’re not sure what they are yet), because those things will lead you in the right direction. And when you get out there, and when you start your career in a field you really like, you’ll never work a day again.
3 — Learning is a lifelong affair
Working as a Communications Officer might be the perfect first real-world job experience for me. Things may have come quickly, but in no way has it been easy — and it shouldn’t be. I started the position thinking “running the Instagram account? Writing articles? Wow this is going to be so easy!” And yes, it’s a lot of fun, but I had no idea how much I had to learn. There is so much more to the worlds of social media and communication than I knew. Reflecting on my first few months in my co-op position, I wish that I had slowed down and acknowledged that I was only beginning my career, and that I am in no way an expert — despite how much I wanted to be.
Throughout my time as a Communications Officer, I have attended several library workshops on topics such as grammar (a real wake-up call for someone who sometimes brags about her writing skills when she’s had a couple drinks), learning from failure, and decolonizing body positivity. Taking notes from these learning opportunities, my failures, my manager, and of course other library staff, I have begun to understand that learning is a lifelong essential in all areas of life. You’re never going to know everything, and that’s okay. So be humble, be open to feedback, and accept when you’re wrong.
4 — What it means to be a leader
My mom used to tell me “you’re going to have bosses that you hate and you’re going to have bosses that you love — learn from both.” I didn’t realize how much weight this held until I began my co-op. Emily Jones, my manager at the library, is kind, honest, and thoughtful. She is strategic, resilient, and persistent. She embodies the kind of leader I hope to be one day. On one of my first days at the library, Emily told me something that I don’t think I’ll ever forget. She said, “good managers don’t manage, they lead.” And in every way and every day she demonstrates that leadership. Emily has taught me that good leaders communicate well, and they communicate often; good leaders are patient and they are understanding; good leaders listen and reflect; and good leaders are honest and acknowledging.
5 — Sometimes you need to refine before you can shine
Like most people starting a new job, I wanted to make a name for myself at the library. During my first few months of my library co-op I was determined to make an impact, to prove myself as an out of the box thinker, and to wow my co-workers. I spent a lot of time thinking of radical ideas and initiatives. Looking back, I should have been observing, listening, and learning. My inventive ideas, though fun and creative in theory, lacked forethought, background, and strategy. Reflecting on those beginning days, I realize now that I wasted a lot of time trying to prove myself through these spontaneous brainstorms, when really the key to proving yourself is hidden in the history of an organization. You must give yourself time to adjust, learn, and reflect on what has been done, so you know what you can do to improve the systems. Creativity comes after thoughtful consideration and observation. I’ve come to know that just because you’re the new kid on the block, doesn’t mean you have to immediately start pitching those one-of-a-kind ideas. Give it time, give it thought.
I hope that this has been helpful. I hope that you feel slightly reassured or informed. I hope that my experiences and learnings can save you some failures. But the truth is, it doesn’t matter how many articles you read or how much advice you’re given, you’re going to find your own way and you’re going to pave your own path. So, best of luck in your future endeavours, reader, whether that be a first co-op position, a first job after graduation, or many more years of school to come.