I’ve never been one for resolutions, but I usually take the time each new year to reflect on personal growth and goals. Last year was dedicated to growing and healing personally, as well as setting aside time to read.
Having make sufficient progress towards those goals, I’m devoting 2011 to being a year of professional growth. This public declaration is inspired by overheard discussions between @cyclinarchivist, @archivesnext & this blog post by @benuski.
1. Gain a strong foundation in museum theory, practice & trends
Although my skills and experience will definitely enable me to succeed in a museum environment, I’ve not been as immersed in the museum community as I am in the archives community. To remedy this, I’m slowly creating a list of blogs & Twitter accounts to follow, books to read, as well as scoping out professional organizations. [Any & all recommendations are very welcome!!]
2. Attend at least 1 professional conference
Going to more than one would be amazing, depending on funds/time-off/etc. Regardless, I’m starting a list of possibilities. Luckily, none of them are too far away, so travel wouldn’t be prohibitive.
3. Put my knowledge of XML & metadata into practice
The museum is beginning to form an archive and that means we need to get researchers to the materials. Since we’ll mostly likely be working within our current PastPerfect environment, I want to do the best I can do take the Dublin Core metedata provided and work it into robust, useful finding aids that match standards whenever possible. Quite an undertaking for my first job, but I’m actually really excited about it. Actually, there’s something I’ve learned in every class that I’m ready to use in the Real World.
4. Finish my masters
Everything is on track for this, just 7.5 credits to go!! I’m pretty excited that not only am I first in my family to graduate college, but also the first to complete a masters. I’m also pretty excited to be done with homework.
5. Become a valuable member of the museum team
Making the leap from work-study museum assistant at the herbarium to professional museum curator is rather intimidating, but thus far has been an exciting, invigorating and a welcome challenge.
6. Learn new skills
This is pretty much a given, but I want to be intentional about learning, even after I’ve finished school. Continuing to learn Drupal, putting my coding skills to use, becoming an XML guru, becoming familiar with exhibition techniques, learning digital & physical conservation skills – the list is endless.
I’m sure I’ll add to these in the next 12 months, but it’s good to have something to work toward and making it public adds a layer of accountability.
Time to get things accomplished!!!!
