It’s Day 4 of National Library Week, that one week per year where the libraries you know and love make sure that you’re fully aware of all the resources and services available to you. From comprehensive subject collections on the fields most important to you to extensive outreach services (check out our webinars) and instructional content (exactly How do I, anyway?) that our team provides, the University Library has always aimed to be your inclusive destination for scholarly research and resources. But don’t leave the scholarly at the door when you exchange your student hat for your scholar/practitioner hat, because the library also has your professional development as an ongoing priority.
At UOPX, we like the term career-relevant. That means that everyone – faculty, advisers, librarians – aims to serve the resources and information that will directly impact and support your professional life far beyond the classroom. The only problem is, there are so many helpful resources in support of that mission that it’s almost difficult for us to even know where to begin. And if we librarians hardly know where to begin, how should we expect you to? Enter our ultimate humblebrag library list: 10 ways the University Library can support your professional development. Whether you’re an undergraduate psychology or education major or a doctoral student seeking your D.B.A., your legwork in the databases can help prepare you to flourish in your chosen field and keep you on top after you graduate.
- Sage Campus - Use Sage Campus to complete self-paced courses to help you update practical skills applicable to study, research and the workplace. Topics covered include formulating a research question, data visualization, and programming in Python.
Video Databases – If you've read this blog before, you probably already know that our database collections include awesome videos. The key here, though, is that the types of videos you’ll find will meet various needs along your student-scholar-practitioner journey, regardless of your discipline. Tutorials will outline steps to follow a process or understand a complex concept, from how to use Microsoft Excel to how to assess a physical wound. Watch actor-led simulations on how to deal with an angry colleague, or opt for real-life demonstrations to see professionals conduct therapy sessions with real clients or enact classroom strategies with real students.
- Search alerts – If there is a specific topic or concept of particular interest to you professionally, why not set up an automated search alert? It’s almost like you’ve assigned someone to be you and conduct a specific search in our databases, only it’s done automatically and sends you email notifications regarding newly added content.
- Popular publications in your field – Every field has those publications that any scholars worth their salt are aware of. For example, the Chronicle of Higher Education is a popular choice in academia. Check here to see if your field’s journals are available through the library. You can even set up journal alerts to be notified when new content is added.
- Up your AI knowledge - Every industry has its trending topics and buzzwords, but there are some that cross all disciplinary boundaries. Artificial intelligence is one of those concepts, and we think you’ll agree it would benefit you to know just how AI is being used in your field. Learn more about AI in our How Do I guide, or do a database search for AI along with terms related to your field for some workplace-specific insights and innovations.
- Research your industry - Speaking of industries, use our robust resources to conduct industry research in your field. Knowing what’s what with market environments, fiscal or workforce challenges, and other points of interest enables you to more quickly identify opportunities and threats and to strategize decision-making where it counts.
- RefWorks - Use RefWorks to manage, gather, store, and share your research. It's ideal for doctoral students completing their dissertation research but can be helpful to students at any level who wish to store their research long-term. Our RefWorks Toolkit will show you how to get started.
- Lean Library - Lean Library is a browser extension that helps you find library content while researching on the web. It seamlessly integrates with your browser and pops up whenever you stumble upon something available (for free!) in the library.
- PrepStep - Use PrepSTEP to build your skills in several academic and career-related areas. Choose from tutorials, microlessons, ebooks, articles, flashcards, and practice tests related to English and writing, math and science, technology, and career preparation.
- Cabells - Publishing in a journal is a great way to solidify your contributions to your field, and the library's Cabells database provides usable information that helps you get started. It provides journal information, including contact details, evaluation metrics, and links to submission guidelines to assist you in finding an outlet for your work.
Utilizing each of those resources will help you to make an impact in your profession. It may take some time to thoughtfully work your way through it, so be sure to bookmark this post so that you can continue your progress between school stuff, work stuff, and home stuff. While UOPX courses ensure a firm foundation on your field’s core concepts and development, UOPX resources like the University Library – which has the good stuff – ensure that your contributions within those fields continue to keep you aiming for the extraordinary.
Traci Avet is a librarian who has worked in libraries for over twenty years, and has had the pleasure of experiencing vast card catalogs and due-date card stamping.