Pictured above: Pratt student, Executive Director Lucy Curci-Gonzalez, and Queens College student Javasha Brooke.
by Lucy Curci-Gonzalez
I recently took part in another successful SLA-NY program- Speed Career Event: An Evening of Mentoring & Networking – on April 24th. This event always highlights the power of professional networking for both aspiring and seasoned librarians.
During the 2-hour event I, along with other area special, academic, and law librarians, met with more than a dozen potential and current library school students, recent MLIS grads, and those considering career changes. Modeled after speed dating, this event was a structured gathering designed to facilitate short timed and informal conversations about careers in our field.
The conversations, as always, benefit both parties. As a law librarian with an extensive career, I answered many questions about entry into the field and its practice and introduced NYLI to a new generation. Best of all, I learned about the individuals entering our profession and what is being taught in graduate programs today.
In this day of remote work, a highlight was meeting people in person. Among them were a Pratt student, Allison Cathey, who just completed a remote volunteer project at NYLI, and Javasha Brooke who just started her studies at Queens College. It always makes me feel confident about the future when I meet these students. And as a result of last year’s program, I am happy to report, two students found jobs. I hope this year’s attendees have the same result.
Thank you to SLA and the host firm, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP for making this event possible. Opportunities to mentor, to network and to enjoy the views of the Manhattan skyline at dusk from the 38th floor conference room were all awe inspiring.
