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Contributed Paper: Wanted, Teachtechmanagerian: Millennial Librarians Equip to Explore the Modern Job Market

Presenter: Emily Cullen, MLIS, Galen College of Nursing, Cincinnati
Power Point of this presentation

Premise:Tendencies of millennial librarians might actually give them a competitive edge in the library job market.

Millennial attributes:

--born 1980-2000
--Generation Y Nexter

Stereotypes:

--technology
--multitasking (sometimes to a fault)
--career development/attaining skills
--working as a group
--asking questions; thriving on feedback

Job Market

2006 study: 90% of academic library jobs required a technical skill; 80% required strong communication skills.

Other skills:

--project management
--problem solving

1983 to 2003: 30 % computer skills (was previously mainly database searching; now, it is network security, web development, programming languages). Skill sets of libraries change as technology changes.

Downsizing:
Budget cuts lead to combining job descriptions (including things outside the "library" realm)

Millennials are beginning professional careers.

Term can have a negative connotation, but some are transferrable skills:
--Training in technology skills
--Web development
--Network security
--Integrated Library Systems

Multitasking while using technology--Millennials are able to handle multiple tasks.

Communication skills that have been developed throughout school years:
--Work (and play) well in groups
--Thrive on asking questions, receiving feedback-also helps problem solving skills

Self-directed learners -68% of millennial managers

Job descriptions include:

Required:

--problem solving
--interpersonal skills
--complex and multitasking environments

Preferred:

--e-serials management
--integrated library system
--accounting background

Summary/Conclusions:

--Today's job market demands improved skill sets
--Millennials' knowledge prepares them for the job market

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on October 4, 2009 2:20 PM.

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