Stepping Away: Rebecca

Posted on: 4 November 2024 by Richard Finch in Class of 2023

Rebecca Wells is a Class of 2023 BSc Medicinal Chemistry graduate who is now working as a Library Assistant and set to start a Masters in Information and Library Studies at Aberystwyth University.

How did you hear about your role and decide to apply for it?

I was between work and was looking on LinkedIn and Indeed for a new job. I new I wanted to go down the library career path and was debating between a role as a library assistant job in an academic library or a graduate scheme designed to get people into the profession.

My current role came along at the right time and I decided to commit to it rather than the graduate scheme as it was convenient for my lifestyle and I though tit would provide me with more relevant experience.  5 months in and I can happily say it was the right choice, not only do I love my job but the experience I gained in that short period of time helped me when applying for my masters degree.  

I had already decided that I did not want to go into the chemistry industry about halfway through my undergraduate degree, and a family friend suggested I look into academic libraries and the work that goes on within them.

How did you get to where you are now?

I worked part time at the Sydney Jones Library with the KnowHow team during my last year of university in order to get relevant work experience and to decide if it was a sector I wanted to work in. That job solidified my desire to work in an academic library and greatly expanded my skill set. It also provided me the opportunity to talk to/work with senior library staff members, who have continued to help me and offer me advice after leaving University of Liverpool.

When it came to the recruitment process for my current job, I was able to easily come up with examples that fit the requirements for the job application thanks to my work with KnowHow and other past job experience. It also helped with my interview as I went in confident knowing I had already met the requirements, and I wouldn't have to struggle to think of answers to their questions.

Your favourite experience as part of your role?

Liverpool Hope University is significantly smaller than University of Liverpool, what this means is the library team is quite small. This has allowed me to really get to know the entire team and work with all of them in some way. I really appreciate that I'm able to work in a huge variety of areas due to the smaller team, and be encouraged by the entire team to improve and develop in my career.                

The most challenging part of your graduate journey?

I had originally planned to take a gap year following graduation and work in the Lake District at a commercial horse yard for that year before pursuing my library career aspirations. Unfortunately I was let go very unexpectantly in November of last year, forcing me to move home and revaluate what my next step was. Between losing that job and starting with my new role, I struggled a lot with not being where I thought I would be at that point and the fact I had been let go from a job I loved. I am definitely happier with where I am now and the direction I am going, but I'm also not where I thought I'd be this time last year, and that's something I have had to come to terms with.

Top 3 Tips for current students and graduates:

  1. It's okay to end up somewhere different to where you thought you'd be

  2. Try to pursue something you are passionate about as you will enjoy your life more in the long run

  3. If at first you don't succeed, try try try again

                                                                                                                            

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