By Michelle Sutherland, Information hunter / gatherer?

Twenty years ago I decided I wanted to be a librarian; I loved collecting and collating information, researching, and helping people find information.  I secured a week’s work experience during the school holidays at the local regional public library, which led to paid after-school and weekend work as a library assistant.

I spent three very happy years there while at high school, and applied to study librarianship at university.  I was accepted, however (for some unknown reason) my 17 year old self decided to choose another option – studying anthropology at a different university (with the ambition of becoming an archaeologist!).  Hunting for information in the ground rather than print?

I completed my three year degree with fairly average marks. I had no idea what to do next, and took a temporary administrative position with a Government department.  I am still there 13 years later, having trundled around the department doing administrative, financial, policy and research work.  In hindsight, in all roles I had a tendency to collect, collate and distribute information and resources….

I dabbled in university again, studying a little law, but still was not sure what I wanted to do.  My “Eureka” moment came after undertaking some relief work with the department’s library.  I wondered why I had wasted all those years before “coming home”.

This year I started my Master of Information Technology (Library and Information Studies).   I am not sure why it took me so long to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up… but am glad I got here finally.

I am still not quite sure where this journey is going to take me, but I am having a great time along the way!

Share your path to librarianship.