Ask any retiree “When did you first realize you wanted to do this type of work?” and, often, the answer will be “I don’t think I ever really decided…I just ended up here.” Unplanned careers affect everything and everyone. They can lead to frustration, negativity and apathy at a time when we need our teams to be focused, energized and motivated. In an industry changing as fast as libraries, staff often find themselves being moved around, changing job titles and shifting responsibilities. Even library students deciding on what path into librarianship to take struggle with finding the best match for their interests and skills. Often, a feeling of helplessness surrounds all of these decisions and, over time, it can contribute to unhappy, unproductive and “accidental” careers. In the workplace, this can mean low productivity, unhealthy cultures and high turnover. Library management will buy this book to avoid just those issues. Individuals, from grad school to retirement, will buy it because they recognize an accountability to their own development and success.This book will offer simple, fun and rewarding methods of revisiting individual values, understanding options, identifying skill gaps and creating plans for growth. Like Be a Great Boss and Build a Great Team, this book will end each section with “workbook exercises” that will help readers personalize what they’re reading and sharply focus it on them…on their careers and on their future. Intentional careers affect everything and everyone, too. They can lead to strong work teams, better libraries and innovation and motivation, just when we need those qualities the most!The organizational approach of this book will be to examine the individual’s goals first, then research and understand the workplace goals and culture, and then to identify either a match or gaps. Later chapters will provide options for improvement in their current position or, if appropriate and possible, moving forward. Some will help to enhance the reader in her current position, while others will help prepare her to move forward – deliberately – by obtaining the needed training and experience for the next position
