How I got here

My story is not atypical. I studied chemistry - did my Bachelors, then went on to do a Masters since everyone else in my class was doing grad school. I was not an A student - but I was a pretty good cook (essential skill for chemistry). But the science did not grab me in grad school and my prof could not inspire me either.

I fell in love with a chemist not chemistry….and my (then) husband (a PhD chemist) got a job so I followed only to find out that the company he worked for had a hiring freeze! The first year I stayed home and “worked on my thesis”. Then the call came - not to work in a lab but to work in the library doing literature searches - note this was back in 1983 when all searches online were mediated since CAS was $60/hour! And we were still using hard paper terminals!!

So I took the job and found I enjoyed it. I got to use my Chemistry knowledge and got lots of praise for the work I did. I began to take on other roles in the library and developed my computer skills. At the end of 12 years, I was running the joint!

Then came reorganization… and I lost my job…so I decided to go back to school and get the paper qualifications for the work I had been doing. The year completing my MLIS gave me a freedom I enjoyed and I knew my next job would in a university setting. Six months after graduating, I started my current job - chemistry librarian at the same school/same dept I got my M.Sc.!

Now this blog is to help others find their own paths to a job they love - it is going to have various contributors so if you have a story to tell of your own unusual career route or want to tell us about the cool job you do have - let me know. To be a contributor you need an wordpress account or send me an e-mail. Any cool links to other blogs or career web pages are also appreciated.

Patricia Meindl
U of Toronto