Reflections of a Resident

After completing the Master of Library Science Program I applied for several academic positions. I am not arrogant, but I did assume, with my years of prior experience working in several different types of libraries, I would have no problems snagging at least an interview. Much to my dismay, I could not. It seemed absolutely hopeless! Colleagues attempted to comfort me with the reassurance that “You have to have experience in an academic library in
order to work in an academic library.” Loosely translated, that meant “It’s not you…it’s them.” I wondered, “How do I get experience, if I cannot get hired, seemingly, without experience?”