Salva Veritate: Curriculum Vitae

Before I exhibt my CV, let me just preface that there is no formula to creating a CV. The basics are simple: education, career goals, experience and involvement. Whatever you think a potential employer would be interested in knowing make sure that the CV you send to them highlights the areas that correspond with the job requirements.

After you have created your CV, get your mentor/boss/advisor/co-worker to critique it. And then re-critique it. And one more time for good measure.

But here is mine as of now:

Jessica B., B.A., MLIS
Phone: (Okay, I am not about to put my phone number out on the web)

Education
Master of Library and Information Studies, May 2010, University of Alabama
Bachelors of Arts in History, December 2008, Samford University

Library Experience:
Library Intern, Samford University, Harwell Davis Library (2010-Present)
 Acquisitions – weeded books, processed invoices, compiled budget data
 Cataloging – created catalog records, processed books/magazines, edited catalog records, assisted with electronic resources cataloging
 Computer Systems – trained in Excel, Photoshop, Millennium, Encore, installed printer programs
 Reference – set-up Twitter account for the reference desk, assisted in reference interviews, gained experience in electronic resource materials, gained experience in bibliographic instruction
 Microfilm – processed materials for microfilm, took microphotographs
 Interlibrary Loan – Processed Illiad requests, requested materials via Illiad/Odyssey, worked with requested electronic resources from Ariel, faxes and emails, compiled stacks pull slips for students, mailed requested monographs
 Government Documents – Processed microfiche, shelved materials, created a display table for Women’s History Month using government document material.
 Administrative – Assessment/Budgeting/Development/Supervisory training
Librarian Assistant II/III, Birmingham Public Library – Southern History Department
(2007-2008/2009-Present)
 Assisted the public with historical and genealogical research
 Organized the collection (maps, books, journals, newspapers)
 Cataloged gifts and donations
 Transcribed deeds/wills/other records for online database and print
 Checked out materials, updated patrons’ cards, and other circulation duties
 Assisted in document and material preservation
Library Graduate Assistantship, University of Alabama, Amelia Gorgas Library
(Jan. 2009 – May 2009)
 Assisted students with general research and reference questions
 Conducted an inventory of reference material
 Purchased books for the history collection and processed donated books
 Created a collection development policy for the history department liaison
 Conducted research on why students choose the field of Information and Library science, created a poster for the Alabama Library Association conference in April 2009, and co-wrote an article (recently accepted for publication.)
 Represented the Amelia Gorgas Library at BamaBound Day (orientation for new students)
Archives Intern, Samford University (August-December 2009)
 Processed the Buck Family Collection and the Leslie S. Wright Collection in Samford University Special Collections
 Prepared documents, photographs and audio-visual material for preservation
 Assisted the public with archival research
Leadership and Instructional Positions:
Samford University, Theater Education Instructor (Spring 2006)
 Prepared lesson plans and theater games for class at an inner-city school
 Co-taught the class on a weekly basis using the lesson plans
 Participated in the final class project – a production for the entire school
TeenPact Leadership Schools, Weeklong Staff/Instructor (Spring 2004, 2003)
 Assisted in the set-up and preparation for the weeklong government-education class in Montgomery, Alabama.
 Taught classes on the legislative process at a state level, graded papers/tests/ homework, supervised a committee of students, participated in a tour of the Capitol Building,
 Was the mock legislative session’s secretary for the One-Day Class, assisted in teaching the legislative process to 8-12 year olds.
TeenPact Leadership Schools, Preparation Class Instructor (2003-2004)
 Assisted student with their homework assignments prior to the week-long government class
 Answered questions, gave presentations and offered general advice
 Checked homework to see if the proper process was being implemented
TeenPact Leadership Schools, Jefferson County Recruitment Coordinator (2002-2004)
 Contacted and was contacted by home-school group leaders throughout the Jefferson County area about TeenPact Leadership Schools.
 Was invited to speak at home-school group meetings (50-100 people in attendance) about TeenPact Leadership Schools
 Mailed brochures/applications to all interested families

Awards and Nominations:
Southeastern Journalist Competition, Samford University Nominee for Best Opinion Writer (Fall 2008)
Colonial Dames American Revolution Paper Competition, Award Recipient,
(Spring 2008)

Presentations
Alabama Library Association Conference, “Why Library Science” – Poster Presentation, (Spring 2009)
Samford University, “‘Why are those blacks on my campus?’: Desegregation, Samford University and Alabama Baptists.” – Senior Thesis Defense (December 2008)
Phi Alpha Theta Regional Conference, “The Complex Life of Margaret Sizemore,” (Spring 2008)
Colonial Dames Awards Banquet, “Benjamin Rush: Revolutionary Doctor, Revolutionary Man,” (Spring 2008)

Associations
Phi Alpha Theta, History Honor Fraternity (2008-Present)
Alpha Psi Omega, Theater Honor Fraternity (2007 – Present)
National Society of High School Scholars (2004)

Publications
Reference & User Services Quarterly, “A Follow Up Study of the Factors Shaping the Career Choices of Library School Students at the University of Alabama.” (Article accepted for publication, Winter 2010)
Samford Crimson, “Diversity or conformity? (Fall 2008)
Samford Crimson, “Don't panic!” (Fall 2008)
Samford Crimson, “Things could be worse,” (Fall 2008)
Samford Crimson, “Christians bickering: a tale as old as time,” (Fall 2008)

Event and Project Manager Experience:

Samford University Theater, Stage Manager, Noises’ Off! (Spring 2007)
 Organized rehearsal calendar and schedule
 Mailed information and scripts to actors/actress
 Coordinated with designers, actors and directors about production of sets, costumes, props and acting.
 Supervised the lighting board operator, sound board operator, assistant stage managers, and crew members during rehearsals and performances
 Organized construction and destruction of set

Samford University Theater, Assistant Stage Manager, The Secret Garden (Spring 2006)
 Supervised stage crew
 Took orders and direction from stage manager
 Organized the movement and entrances/exits of set pieces
 Supervised the entrances and exits of performers
Samford University Theater, Assistant Costume Designer, The Secret Garden (Spring
2006)
 Assisted the Costume Designer with purchasing and sewing costumes
 Took measurements, organized performers’ costumes for performance night, and collaborated with Costume Designer about performances and costume usage.
Samford University Theater, Property Master, Inventing Van Gogh, (Spring 2006), The Mikado (Fall 2005), The House of Mango Street (Fall 2005)
 Organized a prop list needed for the play and coordinated with other designers/directors about the best choices for props
 Purchased and created props
 Created and organized lists of movement, exits/entrances for the props for property run crew.

Hope Christian School JEWEL Student Fair, Organization Committee/Hostess (Spring 2002, 2001, 2000)
 Registered students and their projects
 Assisted in the Performing Arts Recital & Awards Ceremony
 Tallied scores and awarded certificates
 Aided the Director with other clerical duties

Alabama JEWEL Student Fair, Organization Committee/Hostess (Summer 2002, 2001, 2000)
 Recruited financial partners
 Assisted with publicity and publication of materials
 Organized the set-up of the facility
 Helped attendees become acclimated to the facility
 Assisted with food prep and serving
 Aided in academic bees
 Assisted in tallying scores, awarding certificates and other duties assigned by the Director

Community Service
Shades Mtn. Christian School, Library Volunteer (Spring 2009)
Jefferson County Juvenile Delinquent Center, Volunteer (Fall 2005)
Shades Mountain Independent Church, Youth Group Volunteer (Spring 2005)
Shades Mountain Independent Church, 3rd & 4th grade girls mentor (Fall 2003)
Jack Williams for Tax-Collector, Campaign Volunteer (Fall 2002)
TeenPact Leadership Schools, National Office Volunteer (Spring 2002)
Hope Christian School – Senior Beta, Wald Park Construction Volunteer (Spring 2002)
Shades Mountain Independent Church, AWANA Assistant (Fall 2001)
Shades Mountain Independent Church, Youth Drama Assistant (Fall 2001)
Hope Christian School – Senior Beta, Blood Drive Volunteer (Fall 2001)
Springville Road Public Library, Page Volunteer (Summers 1998 – 1999, 2001)
Springville Road Public Library, Fall Festival Volunteer (September 2001)
Boys & Girls Club, Teen Leader (2000-2001)