Well, we've had a bit of a change in the staff here. The Multimedia Supervisor left for another job, and I applied to take her place.
I didn't get it.
On the other hand, even I think the guy who got it is a better fit for the job than I would've been. He really knows his stuff when it comes to the music side of things. I wish him luck with it.
The other set back was the grad course I was planning on taking. The prof decided my writing sample wasn't up to par, in spite of the fact that she couldn't find anything wrong with it. I'm working off the theory that she checked out my story of being the first on the list of alternates, and she had to cover her ass for having let in two other people instead of me.
So, since I still wanted to take a writing course, I'm in the "Intro to Fiction Writing' course. It's taught by my old undergrad advisor, who was very surprised to hear that I wasn't allowed into the 900-level course. She also made a point to point me out the rest of the class and warn them that I've been doing this for a while, and not to let that intimidate them. So far, after only two classes, I'm thinking I may be a semi-TA for the course, as I've already exposed one girl to the theory of close reading and critiqueing. She had no idea how to do it, or what to look for.
It's like being back in 5th grade. Oh well.
As for the rest of the semester beginning. We just had to hire 20 new students for the library. 20 out of the 350 applications we'd gotten before we stopped taking them, and the 15-20 students who've asked at the loan desk about applying.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Friday, August 3, 2007
Getting into classes
Ok, so I've worked here at the University of College for almost a year now. I can start taking my free classes.
I got permission from my supervisors to take a fiction writing course this fall. It's a 900 level (graduate) course, so I have to get permission from the English Dept. They won't put me in the class since I'm not in the Writing MFA program. They'll list me as an alternate, and I can join if there's space...which there seemed to be.
Well, getting into that program was the other reason I went to go see them. Even though I work for the school, I have to jump through all the hoops of applying, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and application fees. At least I don't have to take the GREs. And, of course, the deadline was 3 days after I went to see them. In spite of having gone to this school as and undergrad, I can't even get my transcripts in 3 days. So, I can't join the program until next freakin' fall, as they're one of the only programs on campus that don't admit new students during the spring semester.
At least I've got one of my letters lined up. It's coming from the wonderful woman who started the summer writing workshops I attend whenever possible. She used to work for NASA, was in publishing, is now a writer and writing professor at another university, and was on the History Channel on their show about Star Wars tech (she wrote The Science of Star Wars). After surviving her workshop for another year, I'm pretty sure I'm more than qualified to take this class. I probably won't get all that much out of the whole MFA thing either, except for another diploma...
Oh well, we'll see.
I got permission from my supervisors to take a fiction writing course this fall. It's a 900 level (graduate) course, so I have to get permission from the English Dept. They won't put me in the class since I'm not in the Writing MFA program. They'll list me as an alternate, and I can join if there's space...which there seemed to be.
Well, getting into that program was the other reason I went to go see them. Even though I work for the school, I have to jump through all the hoops of applying, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and application fees. At least I don't have to take the GREs. And, of course, the deadline was 3 days after I went to see them. In spite of having gone to this school as and undergrad, I can't even get my transcripts in 3 days. So, I can't join the program until next freakin' fall, as they're one of the only programs on campus that don't admit new students during the spring semester.
At least I've got one of my letters lined up. It's coming from the wonderful woman who started the summer writing workshops I attend whenever possible. She used to work for NASA, was in publishing, is now a writer and writing professor at another university, and was on the History Channel on their show about Star Wars tech (she wrote The Science of Star Wars). After surviving her workshop for another year, I'm pretty sure I'm more than qualified to take this class. I probably won't get all that much out of the whole MFA thing either, except for another diploma...
Oh well, we'll see.
Holy crap, it's been way too long...
Alright, it's been a while since I last posted.
The University of College is undergoing some massive construction projects, that largely seem designed to make me walk and extra mile between the closest parking lot and my desk. They tore down one of the older buildings, and are getting ready to begin building its replacement. At least this time it should be a while before they have to fill a room with cement to contain a radiation leak.
There are a few changes here in the library. We're currently having some work done to move the campus computer gurus in at one of the rear service desks, so they're doing a lot of rewiring for that. And, they're trying to figure out where to put the new cafe. I don't understand just WHY we need a cafe stuffed into there. It's just going to make a mess.
Also, wish me luck. One of our staff members is leaving in about 2 weeks, and I've applied for her job. It's a lateral shift, but could be interesting. I've already been interviewed, but they got one more person to talk to...
That's pretty much it. We're in the process of hiring students again, so that's a constant battle.
The University of College is undergoing some massive construction projects, that largely seem designed to make me walk and extra mile between the closest parking lot and my desk. They tore down one of the older buildings, and are getting ready to begin building its replacement. At least this time it should be a while before they have to fill a room with cement to contain a radiation leak.
There are a few changes here in the library. We're currently having some work done to move the campus computer gurus in at one of the rear service desks, so they're doing a lot of rewiring for that. And, they're trying to figure out where to put the new cafe. I don't understand just WHY we need a cafe stuffed into there. It's just going to make a mess.
Also, wish me luck. One of our staff members is leaving in about 2 weeks, and I've applied for her job. It's a lateral shift, but could be interesting. I've already been interviewed, but they got one more person to talk to...
That's pretty much it. We're in the process of hiring students again, so that's a constant battle.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Shall we play a game?
How about a game of “Good Idea, Bad Idea”?
Good Idea:
Checking back with us to see if your application has been received or reviewed. It’s always a good idea to check. You aren’t bugging us, and you show to us that you are truly interested in the job.
Bad Idea:
Checking back with us almost a month later, then getting pissed because I have no idea who you are. Yes, I know you’re a special little snowflake, dude. We all are. Now, if there had been something special on your application, we would’ve called you, if not hired you. What makes this even worse is that not an hour later, another department asked us if we had any applications left in the “YES” pile, and could they have three or four. I found the one in question in that pile. Decent application, ok experience, his schedule just didn’t work out.
I chose four others from the pile.
I’m saying it again: Don’t be a dumbass.
Update:
The girl from my last post who checked back with us a few times was hired. The fact that she was a “MAYBE” shows, but so does her dedication and desire to be a good worker. If things continue as they have been, I hope she will be with us for a good, long time.
Good Idea:
Checking back with us to see if your application has been received or reviewed. It’s always a good idea to check. You aren’t bugging us, and you show to us that you are truly interested in the job.
Bad Idea:
Checking back with us almost a month later, then getting pissed because I have no idea who you are. Yes, I know you’re a special little snowflake, dude. We all are. Now, if there had been something special on your application, we would’ve called you, if not hired you. What makes this even worse is that not an hour later, another department asked us if we had any applications left in the “YES” pile, and could they have three or four. I found the one in question in that pile. Decent application, ok experience, his schedule just didn’t work out.
I chose four others from the pile.
I’m saying it again: Don’t be a dumbass.
Update:
The girl from my last post who checked back with us a few times was hired. The fact that she was a “MAYBE” shows, but so does her dedication and desire to be a good worker. If things continue as they have been, I hope she will be with us for a good, long time.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
A Tale of Two Applicants
Last time, I gave some suggestions for getting a job. After the past few days, I must stress the idea of following up. We had one girl call on the last day we were accepting applications to make sure we got hers. Supposedly, she’d sent it in a few days before. None of us handling the applications had any record of her. So, we were nice and gave her a back door to the application website. A few minutes later, we had it.
Well, we had an application with her name and contact info on it, but nothing else. We emailed her again to let her know. By the end of the day, we had a completed application.
Now, had that application come through the first time, she would’ve been classed solidly in the “Maybe” pile. Her aggression in pursuing the position has gotten her a foot in the door. We were slammed with applications. A good 80-85% were culled, and only about half of the remainder have been or will be hired. I’ll know when I get back to work next whether or not this girl will be joining us.
On the other hand, don’t be like the girl who dropped in on us Friday. She hadn’t applied through the website, she wouldn’t talk to any of us except my boss, and seemed to think we would be inclined to give her a position. I don’t think so.
I’m making her sound like she was pushy and rude, which wasn’t the case. I think she was just misinformed (non-native English-speaker would be my guess), and she either had no idea that we were involved or was just too timid to say anything to us other than who she wanted to talk to. Probably a combination of the two, if what I know of her ethnicity’s culture is anywhere near accurate. Like a boxer, she had a plan, and it fell apart when the first punch was thrown. She just couldn’t think on her feet fast enough to recover.
Well, we had an application with her name and contact info on it, but nothing else. We emailed her again to let her know. By the end of the day, we had a completed application.
Now, had that application come through the first time, she would’ve been classed solidly in the “Maybe” pile. Her aggression in pursuing the position has gotten her a foot in the door. We were slammed with applications. A good 80-85% were culled, and only about half of the remainder have been or will be hired. I’ll know when I get back to work next whether or not this girl will be joining us.
On the other hand, don’t be like the girl who dropped in on us Friday. She hadn’t applied through the website, she wouldn’t talk to any of us except my boss, and seemed to think we would be inclined to give her a position. I don’t think so.
I’m making her sound like she was pushy and rude, which wasn’t the case. I think she was just misinformed (non-native English-speaker would be my guess), and she either had no idea that we were involved or was just too timid to say anything to us other than who she wanted to talk to. Probably a combination of the two, if what I know of her ethnicity’s culture is anywhere near accurate. Like a boxer, she had a plan, and it fell apart when the first punch was thrown. She just couldn’t think on her feet fast enough to recover.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Help Wanted
“Don’t need school? If nigga no to school, nigga no get a job. If nigga no get a job, nigga no get no money. If nigga don’t get no money, nigga no gonna be able to afford BMW 7-series, nigga!”
-“Tokyo Breakfast” (Google it! I dare you. It's damned funny.)
Ok, I’m sure all of you have applied, or will apply for a job.
We started looking through applications yesterday for new student hires. (I meant to write this last night, but real life intruded and I had no computer access for most of the night.) In my stack of ten to review, I found one that went directly into my “YES” pile, four that went right into “NO” and the other five were in the “MAYBE.” Granted, there were a couple high maybes and a few low maybes, and only one that I couldn’t think of anything to comment on. Since I’m new to this, my boss double checked my work. She moved my high maybes into the “YES” pile and my lows into the “NO.”
So, the question is, what makes for a “YES” as opposed to a “NO?” Well, a lot depends on the skills and experience you have to offer. Jobs with increasing responsibility certainly help, as do hobbies and activities that show maturity, an ability to commit, and leadership potential. Being an Eagle Scout will help you, being a conissieur of Mexican fast food won’t.
On the other hand, even if you have good experience, a bad application will not help. Nattering on for half a page about what music you like to play or going hiking in the mountains will get you shunted off into the circular file. Likewise, writing things in a very casual or chatty “tone” will do the same. Following the directions will help as well. Our application has a short test for alphabetizing a list of titles and one for arranging decimals in order. Not knowing what you are doing, or making a mistake won’t get you disregarded. We can teach you how to do it. Ignoring the directions entirely will get you rejected, especially if the rest of your application only elicits a “meh” from the guy reading it over.
So, tips for those of you seeking employment:
Be brief. It makes it easier for us to read. It also gives you less chance of saying something that might turn a good application into a maybe, or worse. Besides, verbal diarrhea does not make you look “smart.”
Be professional. It’s better to be too formal, than to have your application sound like you’re chatting with your friends on your cellphone. Especially when it’s read aloud. Avoid smartass remarks or attempts at humor. You’ll probably end up being unintentionally humorous and canned.
PROOFREAD! If it looks like net-speak, we don’t care if you have an IQ of 245 and dedication of a platoon of Japanese salarymen. You obviously aren’t using it, and we won’t call you.
Follow up! The fact that you called us a few days after submitting your application to inquire goes a LONG way towards getting your application into the “YES” pile. Don’t be afraid of “bothering” us. We want to hire people that want the job. I spent 6 YEARS trying to get a job in this library. I applied for every opening. I interviewed for several position and, in spite of constantly being passed over for internal candidates, I got in. I’m pretty sure that my stubborn determination counted highly.
Basically, don’t be a dumbass. We’re not your friend yet, and we don’t care.
Of course, I’ve been guilty of all these mistakes myself. Luckily, I learned from them. Hopefully, you can learn from my mistakes as well.
-“Tokyo Breakfast” (Google it! I dare you. It's damned funny.)
Ok, I’m sure all of you have applied, or will apply for a job.
We started looking through applications yesterday for new student hires. (I meant to write this last night, but real life intruded and I had no computer access for most of the night.) In my stack of ten to review, I found one that went directly into my “YES” pile, four that went right into “NO” and the other five were in the “MAYBE.” Granted, there were a couple high maybes and a few low maybes, and only one that I couldn’t think of anything to comment on. Since I’m new to this, my boss double checked my work. She moved my high maybes into the “YES” pile and my lows into the “NO.”
So, the question is, what makes for a “YES” as opposed to a “NO?” Well, a lot depends on the skills and experience you have to offer. Jobs with increasing responsibility certainly help, as do hobbies and activities that show maturity, an ability to commit, and leadership potential. Being an Eagle Scout will help you, being a conissieur of Mexican fast food won’t.
On the other hand, even if you have good experience, a bad application will not help. Nattering on for half a page about what music you like to play or going hiking in the mountains will get you shunted off into the circular file. Likewise, writing things in a very casual or chatty “tone” will do the same. Following the directions will help as well. Our application has a short test for alphabetizing a list of titles and one for arranging decimals in order. Not knowing what you are doing, or making a mistake won’t get you disregarded. We can teach you how to do it. Ignoring the directions entirely will get you rejected, especially if the rest of your application only elicits a “meh” from the guy reading it over.
So, tips for those of you seeking employment:
Be brief. It makes it easier for us to read. It also gives you less chance of saying something that might turn a good application into a maybe, or worse. Besides, verbal diarrhea does not make you look “smart.”
Be professional. It’s better to be too formal, than to have your application sound like you’re chatting with your friends on your cellphone. Especially when it’s read aloud. Avoid smartass remarks or attempts at humor. You’ll probably end up being unintentionally humorous and canned.
PROOFREAD! If it looks like net-speak, we don’t care if you have an IQ of 245 and dedication of a platoon of Japanese salarymen. You obviously aren’t using it, and we won’t call you.
Follow up! The fact that you called us a few days after submitting your application to inquire goes a LONG way towards getting your application into the “YES” pile. Don’t be afraid of “bothering” us. We want to hire people that want the job. I spent 6 YEARS trying to get a job in this library. I applied for every opening. I interviewed for several position and, in spite of constantly being passed over for internal candidates, I got in. I’m pretty sure that my stubborn determination counted highly.
Basically, don’t be a dumbass. We’re not your friend yet, and we don’t care.
Of course, I’ve been guilty of all these mistakes myself. Luckily, I learned from them. Hopefully, you can learn from my mistakes as well.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Late fees
FARK.com just posted a link for this article about a man who returned a book 47 years late, and paid a whopping $171.32 in fines. Not bad. I owe work about half that for books I had out years ago. They’re being nice and ignoring that fact until I retire. At least I returned the books…
Now, fines can be a big deal. People get all bent out of shape about them. I’m not inclined to care why you’re whining about it. Not only did we give you our material (or someone else’s material in the case of the various inter-library loans available) for a month, plus a 10-day grace period. Unless, of course, the book was recalled because someone else needs it badly.
Fines get handled a few ways, depending on who you are. Undergrad students get their fines shunted off to business services, where Mommy and Daddy can pay for them. Grad students get “extended time”, which means their books are due until the end of the academic year. So, anything the checked out since last September won’t be due until near the end of April. (I managed to convince them to give me XT as well. Makes things easy for someone like me, who already has 40+ items out.) Alumni, local residents (both of whom get free accounts), and state residents (who have to pay $60 per year) have fines that just sit on their accounts. We can’t do anything about getting that money, no matter how much it is, unless they come back and want to take something else out. Then they have to pay first.
Books, on the other hand, we will hunt you down for if they aren’t returned. This includes keeping you from officially graduating if you’re a student.
Now, fines can be a big deal. People get all bent out of shape about them. I’m not inclined to care why you’re whining about it. Not only did we give you our material (or someone else’s material in the case of the various inter-library loans available) for a month, plus a 10-day grace period. Unless, of course, the book was recalled because someone else needs it badly.
Fines get handled a few ways, depending on who you are. Undergrad students get their fines shunted off to business services, where Mommy and Daddy can pay for them. Grad students get “extended time”, which means their books are due until the end of the academic year. So, anything the checked out since last September won’t be due until near the end of April. (I managed to convince them to give me XT as well. Makes things easy for someone like me, who already has 40+ items out.) Alumni, local residents (both of whom get free accounts), and state residents (who have to pay $60 per year) have fines that just sit on their accounts. We can’t do anything about getting that money, no matter how much it is, unless they come back and want to take something else out. Then they have to pay first.
Books, on the other hand, we will hunt you down for if they aren’t returned. This includes keeping you from officially graduating if you’re a student.
Hajimete Blog Suru
(Title: "To Blog for the first time" in Japanese)
Well, this isn’t exactly my first time blogging, but it is my first attempt to write a professional blog, as apposed to just a simple personal one for keeping in touch with distant friends and such.
I got the idea from reading through BBCAmerican’s Behind the Counter and my memories of my first intro to blogs, the now defunct, but elsewhere archived Confessions of a Porn Store Clerk. It is my intention to keep this journal in the same spirit and manner as they did, focusing on how things operate at my job, and keeping most of my personal life outside of work outside of this journal.
A few things to throw out for consideration…
My wife and I keep pet rats. The one pictured was one of our first together.
I work in a library (hence the name), but I do not hold a Master of Library Sciences degree, so I am not a Librarian. While I do fall under the auspices of the Loan department, and do spend a good deal of time helping patrons at the circulation desk, or in the multimedia room, the bulk of my job is more behind the scenes, helping with the library operations. Specifically, scheduling. (More on that in a moment.)
I don’t work at just any library. I work at a university library. I’ve been trying to get a position here since I graduated several years ago. One of my reasons for wanting to work at my alma mater is the free classes. So, once I get myself into a master’s program, I’ll be talking about that here, and considering it part of my “professional” life.
Because I’ve heard so many horror stories about people getting into trouble for things they’ve posted in their blogs, I’m going to play a little bit of “cover your ass.” I will not be using my real name here, nor anyone else’s. I will also be referring to our campus as “The University of College.”
Being a university library, most of our workers (minions?) are students. One of the duties I’m just getting to learn (I started a few months ago, but after the beginning of the 2006 fall semester) is the juggling necessary to scheduling work for 70+ students around their classes and personal lives (which, of course, take precedence over their job…). So far, I’m keeping on top of it, but this is just a brief taste compared to what’s waiting for me at the far end of the summer…
I guess that’s about it for now. I’m sure there will be more as the semester starts and things get going at the University of College.
Well, this isn’t exactly my first time blogging, but it is my first attempt to write a professional blog, as apposed to just a simple personal one for keeping in touch with distant friends and such.
I got the idea from reading through BBCAmerican’s Behind the Counter and my memories of my first intro to blogs, the now defunct, but elsewhere archived Confessions of a Porn Store Clerk. It is my intention to keep this journal in the same spirit and manner as they did, focusing on how things operate at my job, and keeping most of my personal life outside of work outside of this journal.
A few things to throw out for consideration…
My wife and I keep pet rats. The one pictured was one of our first together.
I work in a library (hence the name), but I do not hold a Master of Library Sciences degree, so I am not a Librarian. While I do fall under the auspices of the Loan department, and do spend a good deal of time helping patrons at the circulation desk, or in the multimedia room, the bulk of my job is more behind the scenes, helping with the library operations. Specifically, scheduling. (More on that in a moment.)
I don’t work at just any library. I work at a university library. I’ve been trying to get a position here since I graduated several years ago. One of my reasons for wanting to work at my alma mater is the free classes. So, once I get myself into a master’s program, I’ll be talking about that here, and considering it part of my “professional” life.
Because I’ve heard so many horror stories about people getting into trouble for things they’ve posted in their blogs, I’m going to play a little bit of “cover your ass.” I will not be using my real name here, nor anyone else’s. I will also be referring to our campus as “The University of College.”
Being a university library, most of our workers (minions?) are students. One of the duties I’m just getting to learn (I started a few months ago, but after the beginning of the 2006 fall semester) is the juggling necessary to scheduling work for 70+ students around their classes and personal lives (which, of course, take precedence over their job…). So far, I’m keeping on top of it, but this is just a brief taste compared to what’s waiting for me at the far end of the summer…
I guess that’s about it for now. I’m sure there will be more as the semester starts and things get going at the University of College.
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