Subscribe to our newsletter by emailLibrary Student Employee Spotlight | Then & Now
The UCI Libraries is one of the University's largest student employers. Each year, more than 100 students assist with critical library services that support the learning and research needs of the campus and community. While our student employees are undeniably invaluable to the Libraries' success; their experiences at the Libraries continue to prove personally meaningful.
In recent interviews with two library student employees - one former and the other current - both share their experiences working at the Libraries, and the impact its had on their life:
Then: Jack Toan '95 Biological Sciences, '02 MBA
Vice President and Community Affairs Manager, Wells Fargo Community Relations
Why did you decide to work at the Libraries as student at UCI?
Work study. I was in a club (as a pre-med student) and one of my friends worked in the biomedical library (now known as the Forest J. Grunigen Medical Library). There I became interested in working at the Libraries to allow flexibility in my hours to pursue my studies, and to remain on campus.
How long did you work at the UCI Libraries?
I began working at the Libraries as a Junior, where I worked for a year. I eventually continued on for two more years as staff member in the Libraries, holding positions in Interlibrary Loan and Circulation.
What was your role?
My initial role at the Libraries was working in shelving.
How did your role as a Library Student Assistant set you up for your career post-graduation?
In my staff position at the Libraries, I learned that I wasn't interested in pursuing Medical School-which was where I was originally headed. I learned that I liked to work with and managing people. Working in the Libraries also made me realize that I was skilled at overseeing efficiencies of services.
I learned the difficult task of staffing in my role at the Libraries. During finals when the Libraries are open 24/7, I learned that it was difficult to get people to cover late night hours, and had to step in late at night, at times.
My experiences working with faculty, managing their expectations, was an invaluable asset that I've brought with me post-grad, and learned that I was skilled at creating "win: win" situations.
Why are the Libraries a good workplace for UCI students?
Working in the Libraries allows students to have flexibility to work in conjunction with their studies and remain on campus. Education revolves around research and working in the Libraries has so many ways for students to translate their experience there into their post-grad lives, as it is in essence a service-oriented place.
What should current student employees at the UCI Libraries know in order to become successful as post-graduates?
Work in the Libraries is service-focused. Learning how to interact with people is a vital skill which translates to all workplace environments. Often student jobs may be taken for granted but students can learn a great deal about professionalism (i.e., showing up on time, interacting with faculty, etc.).
What surprised you most in your work at UCI Libraries?
The Libraries are an "undiscovered gem" of the campus. The general public may not know that there are "leisure books" in the UCI Libraries as well as academic texts and Special Collections.
At UCI Libraries, I had the opportunity to work with the Critical Theory Archive which was a treasure in Special Collections & Archives. I also worked with the Southeast Asian Archive (SEAA), which is a great example of the important role that the Libraries play in capturing stories.
The Libraries also play such an important role in capturing and preserving collections (both physically and in the form of digital collections). The family archives are key for me - including my own family story preserved in the Libraries' Special Collections.
I also realized that my work in the Libraries; specifically the work I did to help digitize material, directly helped students save money; and it meant a lot to me that I was able to make a tangible impact.
Now: Kourosh Alizadeh, '19
Student Assistant,
Library External Relations
Why did you decide to work at the UCI Libraries?
I put my name down to be contacted for employment opportunities at the UCI Libraries, and emailed right away when I received information about an opening. I wanted a position here because I thought it would give me a chance to become familiar with the school. I started working at Langson Library the summer before my first quarter at UCI, so I was able to be on campus and see what it was like from the inside out. I'm really glad I did it because it also gave me work experience inside an office setting that I never had before.
How long have you worked at the UCI Libraries?
It'll be two years in June.
What is your role here? What do you do?
There are a few duties I do pretty regularly - updating the library gifts ledger, drafting and sending thank-you letters to donors, and updating event rsvp and attendance lists. As a student assistant in the Library External Relations office, I also help with a lot of different projects that promote the Libraries around the school and community. For example, last summer, I was able to play a significant role in the research and initial vision of the Libraries' 50th Anniversary Timeline of UCI that debuted at the University's Founder's Day event, and was displayed at the Festival of Discovery event in October 2015. [The Timeline is now viewable in UCI's Newkirk Alumni Center http://alumni.uci.edu/newkirk/maps.php]
How does your role as a Library Student Assistant set you up for your career post-graduation?
Before I came here, my only real experience in the job world was selling cars and working as pizza delivery driver. This is okay, but working at the UCI Libraries gives me a lot of office experience; which is nice. It has also given me experience in an academic setting, and opened my eyes to opportunities that exist in a university without being a professor. I've also been able to use my experience here to get other campus jobs. For example, I worked at the Humanities Commons over last summer, and a large part of the reason I was accepted was because of my experience working in the Libraries. So altogether, I feel I am set up for success - hopefully; we'll see!
Why are the Libraries a good workplace for UCI students?
I think it's common that a lot of students graduate from college without a whole lot of work experience. However, if you work at the Libraries while you're here as a student, you're getting valuable work experience and getting paid. So I've really appreciated working here for that reason - getting experience for the 'real world'.
What should new library student employees know to be successful?
There are more rules working here than I expected, so you want to make sure you ask a lot of questions and understand the way things are done. It may not always be as important to know why something is done, as it is to know how it's done. And if you don't know how, you should ask and not just guess and hope something works. There's a policy for everything, and I'm sure there's a procedure for that question you have.
What year is this for you as a student at UCI?
I'm a graduate student, in a doctorate program studying Philosophy. A Ph.D. program is five years long, and at the end of this Spring Quarter I'll have finished two years. I'll also have my Masters degree.
What do you want to do/be in your career, post-graduation?
There are a couple of options. If I finish the Ph.D. track, I'll be able to become a professor. It's a bit hard to get a job as a professor though, so one of the things that's nice about the Libraries is that it's shown me that there are other jobs you can take.
Recently, I was talking with a library staff member who shared with me how she got into the libraries. She told me that she enrolled in a Library Sciences program to start her career, which apparently takes a year. So I've been thinking about that a little bit.
Working in Development has been pretty cool. I could do that for another library maybe, or nonprofit organization. A promotional/administrative position would be nice too.
Interviews were edited based on the needs of the publication.