Participatory Session: The Work of Finding Work: Strategies for Success, Self-Care, and Professional Sustainability

Participatory Session: The Work of Finding Work: Strategies for Success, Self-Care, and Professional Sustainability

Sponsored by Bookandpaperfairs.com

Finding and maintaining a career in the world of archives and special collections can be notoriously difficult, often demanding a significant amount of time and energy, while creating a great deal of stress, uncertainty, and risk for employment seekers. This participatory session will address challenges faced by many archivists and special collections professionals as they apply for jobs and work to advance their careers, with the ultimate goal of demystifying and destigmatizing these processes.

Session leaders will share firsthand accounts of their successes and struggles, followed by focused, interactive discussion groups that will give attendees a chance to raise concerns and share ideas. Discussions will explore ideas for making professional engagement more enriching, strategies for shaping one’s career trajectory, and methods for forging vibrant connections with peers. We hope to facilitate productive and friendly conversations between individuals at all career levels, from recent graduates to seasoned professionals.