Rethinking Preprofessional Training To Improve Work Quality

摘要

Managing preprofessional interns is a rewarding task, as I get to see first hand the impact that quality training and mentoring have on these student workers. Curious and eager to make a contribution, these students make me aware of what is currently being taught in their MLS programs and allow me to offer ideas for improving their work. However, I often wondered if we were providing the right training and mentoring frameworks for achieving engaged workers. By integrating teaching and learning into the job, and focusing on intern roles as a part of the larger library work environment, I find that the quality of their work improves and they express higher satisfaction with the internship experience. Interns are also better able to understand "quality work" because it is denned as a result of seeing others perform and because of the support that is given.