Please include details about your educational background and what sparked your interest in atmospheric or related sciences.

I have my BS in meteorology and a minor in emergency management from Millersville University and my MS in information sciences from the University of Tennessee. My interest was sparked by my family. Most of my family is involved in the sciences in some fashion, so it felt natural to tread that way for my profession. My grandfather served in Guam as a Naval meteorological officer during the Korean conflict and loved sharing stories of the interesting meteorological phenomena he witnessed there. My grandmother grew up on Lake Ontario and shared her lake-effect storm stories. We also would sit on her screened porch to watch thunderstorms. She is definitely a weather-weenie! The best part is, she comes to the Annual Meetings with me when she can!

What was your first job in the field and how did you end up in the job you are in now?

It's a long story! My first professional job was a data reviewer at a pharmaceutical company. I checked chemists' lab data for clarity and compliancy. Though I was good at it, I didn't love it. Influenced by that and other things happening in my personal life (call it a quarter-life crisis), I quit that job and joined the AmeriCorps-FEMA Corps program (FEMA and AmeriCorps started a partnership so young adults can help communities prepare and respond to disasters and other emergencies). I used it as an emergency management "internship" opportunity to see if I wanted to take my career in that direction. It was a really cool experience because I worked directly with the American Red Cross and FEMA on different projects, including Hurricane Maria relief in Puerto Rico. While serving, I decided to go back to grad school for library science; I worked in libraries for six years prior to my first professional job and just loved and thrived in that environment. After I finished my service, I worked part-time at Starbucks while applying to grad schools. The University of Tennessee program offered me an assistantship on a grant to develop science liaison librarians, so my now-husband and I packed our stuff and moved to Knoxville. Then the pandemic happened... A year into it, I graduated with my master's degree. My first job was as an Instructional Librarian at Lindsey Wilson College (they were the only employer to interview and subsequently hire me...). So we packed our stuff again and moved to Kentucky, where we currently are! A year later, my current position (STEM Librarian) opened up. I almost didn't apply because I thought I had to follow the traditional method of staying in a job for 3-5 years before job hopping. I'm glad my now-husband and therapist convinced me to apply, because I got the job! The best part - I didn't have to move! It was located near where we already live, so I just had to alter my commute.

What opportunities did you pursue that you knew would be beneficial to securing a job in the profession?

One opportunity I pursued was a graduate assistantship. While the perks are great, I desired the research and work experience behind it. A second opportunity was identifying a specific professional organization to get involved with. For me, that is Atmospheric Science Librarians International. It's so specific and exactly the discipline I desired; I can't imagine anything else! The members are great and I'm learning a lot from them so far. A third opportunity was getting involved in departmental- and school-level activities. I served as an organization president and participated in three different committees in my school and department, representing the information sciences graduate student. I really enjoyed those opportunities because I networked and got different perspectives of academia and the field of information sciences.

What other courses/skills beyond the required math and science courses do you think would be the most helpful to individuals wanting a career in your profession?

After talking with my research subjects on this same question, soft skills are a must. Public speaking, writing, interpersonal communication, fluency between technical and plain speak regarding math and science, being a manager while also a team player... All of these soft skills and more are critical, especially in an interdisciplinary and oftentimes multidisciplinary field like librarianship. Being versatile and flexible are also key, too.

What is your typical day on the job like?

It varies! My job tasks include things like reference desk shifts; research consultations maintaining research guides; service to the library, the university, and the greater community at local, state, and national levels; performing my own research individually and/or with colleagues; developing the STEM book collection physically and electronically; teaching classes on various aspects of research; attending conferences; and performing outreach to my students and faculty. I'm sure I missed something! But it is very similar to meteorology where each day is different and you observe patterns to recognize what steps to follow.

What do you like most about your job? What is the most challenging thing about your job?

The thing I like most is that I feel I can grow significantly, personally and professionally. New ideas are open for discussion and usually well-received. My boss and colleagues support and encourage one another, and I them. It's almost as if the sky's the limit. The most challenging thing is forming relationships with my STEM faculty. They haven't had a librarian before who cares about them and their potential needs. Also, I'm a female, early-career professional, so I don't have enough credibility to display my worth quite yet. What has helped is my background in science and meteorology, because I can talk the talk and walk the walk of most of these disciplines. I put a lot of time researching who my faculty are, what they teach, and determining how I can effectively advertise my capabilities. It's a long road, but worth it!

Does your job allow for a good work/life balance? If not, why?

It *encourages* a good work/life balance and I feel incredibly blessed. I'm not expected to answer emails outside my usual hours, but I can if I choose. If I'm sick, stay home. If a situation arises, we have the ability to work remotely, if needed. My boss encourages short breaks and comradery. Hours can be flexible, if you have kids or doctor appointments. It is a very supporting environment!

Over the course of your career what is the most exciting thing that has happened to you?

That's a tough one to pick. I loved being involved with committees as a graduate student. Traveling the country with FEMA Corps was pretty cool, too. Meeting all kinds of people has been neat. BUT, if I must pick one, I'm a published BAMS author! Ever since undergrad, I had a secret dream to be published in BAMS in some capacity. Then my assistantship came along and one of the papers we were writing needed a journal to go to. I suggested BAMS on whim and that's where it went! I get giddy talking about it!

Is there anything you wish you had done differently in your career?

I wished I didn't take that first job offer right out of undergrad. (Funny story: I actually declined that job offer initially. On a Friday. Then, in a moment of hesitation, I called back the following Monday and asked if I could have it.) At the time, I knew in my gut it wasn't right, even though my family and friends advised otherwise. Looking back, I rushed that process and sold myself short. I didn't give myself enough time to job search or even consider other potential opportunities. I took the first one and ran with it, worried I wasn't going to get anything else. I knew I wanted to go into librarianship, so I wished I started exploring that immediately while working a part-time job elsewhere. It's a "would've, should've, could've" situation.

What are some "must haves" on a resume if a person wants to gain employment in your field?

It depends on the position. Coding is always helpful, like HTML and CSS. As an instructional librarian, sharing my experiences teaching emergency preparedness classes to kids and coordinating on various projects simultaneously helped, as well as my ability to take initiative and willingness to learn. Showing off your research and involvement in your science discipline helps, especially if you go for a specific science librarian position. Also, take advantage of committee participation as a student. I served on three different committees as a graduate student and that said a lot about my character and the kind of academic professional I wanted to be. Academic employers like to see diversity and involvement in various collegial activities.