Fletcher Library at the West Campus
Internship Opportunities: Graduate Students' Experiences
Internships: Index Page
Katherine · Shawn · Sarah · Kat · Ben
 |
"My internship at the Fletcher Library was one of the most important and meaningful experiences during my MLS degree program at Florida State University. The librarians and staff at Fletcher Library were committed to offering me a high quality internship where I could apply the theoretical knowledge I acquired in my classes to the practice of academic librarianship. Without this experience, I would not have gained the knowledge and insight that is essential for working in an academic library. In my current position as Science Reference Librarian at ASU's Noble Science and Engineering Library, I frequently find myself referring back to what I learned during my internship at the Fletcher Library. I highly recommend pursuing an internship at Fletcher Library. I believe you will find it to be a valuable and worthwhile part of your library education." |
 |
"My internship at Fletcher Library was the best experience I had in my MLS program. I learned more than I ever thought possible and I can't imagine my resume without it. From my first day I was welcomed at the library and given the chance to do more than just observe and assist at the reference desk or in instruction. I was invited to attend and participate in a number of meetings and even to observe and evaluate reference applicants. Everyone at Fletcher Library was generous of time, knowledge, expertise, and advice. I am pleased to have worked with the librarians and staff at Fletcher Library and even more pleased to have taken away a real friendship from the experience." |
- Shawn interned at the Fletcher Library during spring 2005 and is now Adult Reference Librarian at Long Beach Public Library (Long Beach, California).
 |
"My internship experience at Fletcher Library was invaluable. My internship advisor both encouraged and enabled me to experience all facets of the operation of an academic library and to explore my interests to the fullest. I was able to attend classes, instruction sessions and numerous committee meetings. It provided me with experience that I would never have been able to gain in the classroom. I was given enough exposure and freedom to discover what exactly it is I would like out of my future career. Everyone at ASU West and Fletcher Library made me feel welcome, and I was treated like a fellow professional." |
- Sarah is currently working as a competitive intelligence researcher and is an active member of the American Library Association and the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals.
 |
"My experience as an intern at Fletcher library was an integral part of becoming an academic librarian. Pragmatically, I gained desirable experience and skills in instruction and electronic content and this led to my first academic position. I also gained insights into the amount of responsibility that I now feel for my students and faculty. How well I do my job—selecting books, giving basic instruction, or helping a student navigate a database—impacts my patron’s relationship to the library and to information from now on—that’s a pretty big thing." |
- Kat's internship focused on collection development. She is now a librarian at Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, AZ.
