Conference Workshops and Activities

91´«Ã½

91´«Ã½ JobLIST Placement & Career Development Center

91´«Ã½ 2023 Annual Conference

Career Development Workshops

Chicago, IL

June 22 - 27, 2023

Career Development Workshops (CDW)

Listed below are the sessions that will be held in the 91´«Ã½ JobLIST Placement & Career Development Center (unless otherwise noted). There is no cost to attend. Registration is not required. Please return to this page often, as more details will be added as we get closer to the conference.

  • Saturday, June 24, 9:00am - 10:00am

    10 Critical Strategies You Need in Your Job Search Today

    So… you’re ready to make a career change – maybe take on a different role in your organization, seek a promotion, find work in a different setting – or even change your career path altogether. Great! But before you launch into job search or promotion seeking mode, it’s a really good idea to make sure you understand and use the most effective job search strategies that will make you THE ideal candidate for your next career move.

    Come to this session to learn the most important steps you need to succeed in your job/career transition. Join us to learn how to answer these critical questions.

  • Can you clearly articulate what type of job or career change you’re looking for?
  • Is your resume as up to date as it should be?
  • Do you understand how ATS can affect your search?
  • Are you networking in the best possible / most effective ways?
  • Do you have a plan for researching organizations and types of positions you’re interested in?
  • Do you have a strategy for follow-up?
  • How will you make yourself the most desirable candidate for the job?

About the Presenter: Dr. Caitlin Williams, Ph.D.

small_CaitlinWilliams_smallphotoCaitlin Williams, Ph.D. is an author, speaker, and professional development consultant. She has spent the last thirty years working in the field of career development through writing, speaking, coaching, and teaching. Caitlin has had the honor of conducting career coaching for 91´«Ã½ attendees at is twice-yearly conferences since 2000. She has also presented and contributed numerous articles and podcast to 91´«Ã½. She has written two previous books on career and workplace topics (one title has been translated into Korean). Caitlin is retired from teaching at San Jose State University, and she is looking forward to new adventures and opportunities!

  • Saturday, June 24, 10:30am - 11:30am

    Topic TBD

  • Saturday, June 24, 1:00pm - 2:00pm

    Building Blocks for Your Professional Reputation

    If authority is “constructed and contextual,” what steps can you take to build or augment your own professional reputation? In this session, you will think strategically about the expertise and authority you have already built or would like to develop–whether you are just starting out in the profession, changing course, or simply seeking to leverage what you already have. Topics will include creating and enhancing your online presence, increasing visibility through professional service, networking, publishing, and presenting, and developing collaborative relationships. In addition to these building blocks, we will discuss the important issues of time management, when and how to say “no” and the art of negotiation.

    About the Presenters:

  • Photo of Susanne MarkgrenSusanne Markgren is the Assistant Director of the Library for Technical Services at Manhattan College, in Riverdale, NY. She has worked in libraries (academic, public, and special) for more than twenty years, and has written articles, book reviews, essays, and chapters for a variety of publications. Her co-authored book, Career Q&A: A Librarian’s Real-Life, Practical Guide to Managing a Successful Career, came out in 2013. She received her MLIS from the University of Texas at Austin, and her MFA in creative writing from Manhattanville College.

    Photo of Linda MilesLinda Miles is an Assistant Professor and Librarian at Hostos Community College – City University of New York. Recent publications include “Egalitarian Teams in Action: Organizing for Library Initiatives” (Urban Library Journal), and a contribution to Career Transitions for Librarians: Proven Strategies for Moving to Another Type of Library. Linda received her MLS from St. John’s University, and her PhD in theatre history and criticism from the University of Texas at Austin.


  • Saturday, June 24, 2:30pm - 3:30pm

    Stress Management for Real Life

    Learn about the signs of stress and how they impact you physically and mentally. You will walk away with stress reduction techniques to use immediately. Leave feeling refreshed and prepared to meet challenges in healthier, more productive ways. We’ll go beyond the typical advice of doing yoga and watching funny movies. Learn about concepts that can be applied at home and work. We’ll also address what leaders and managers can do to help lower unhealthy stress levels in the workplace for yourself and for those you manage.

    About the Presenter: Bobbi Newman

    Photo of Bobbi NewmanBobbi Newman, MLIS, MA; Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist, National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM), Greater Midwest Region (GMR), Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, University of Iowa


  • Sunday, June 25, 9:00am - 10:00am

    Ask HR

    Join us for an open dialogue with human resource professionals about what to expect in the current job market. Do you have questions about what employers expect of job candidates and new staff? Do you want to know how to make yourself shine above other candidates? Do you want advice from someone who does hiring in libraries? If you responded yes to any of these questions, then join us for an informal discussion/Q&A session where you can gain an insider's perspective on what employers really look for in job candidates. Come prepared to ask library human resource professionals your questions about the current hiring situation in libraries. Hiring managers from academic and public libraries will be available to answer your questions. Take advantage of this opportunity to get the real scope on what hiring managers expect from you.


  • Sunday, June 25, 1:00pm - 2:00pm

    Topic TBD

  • Sunday, June 25, 2:30pm - 3:30pm

    Self-Care During Stressful Times

    Self-care is more than bubble baths, yoga, and meditation. Let’s talk about ways to incorporate self-care that could work for you specifically. We will discuss holistic ways to manage our wellbeing so that we avoid burnout. The discussion will focus on practices designed to care for the body and mind in ways that can get us through stressful times.

    About the Presenter: Bobbi Newman

    Photo of Bobbi NewmanBobbi Newman, MLIS, MA; Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist, National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM), Greater Midwest Region (GMR), Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, University of Iowa


For more information on the 91´«Ã½ JobLIST Placement & Career Development Center activities, send an email to: placement@ala.org.

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Last revised Feb. 23, 2023