Career Development and Services Committee Annual Report 2023

submitted by Mallory Sajewski

Current Roster

  • Mallory Sajewski, Chair & Resume Review (2027)
  • Jessica Abbazio, MLStEP Advisor (2024)
  • Becca Fulop, New Members Forum (2026)
  • Cate Gerhart, Career Advisory Service & Get Involved (2024)
  • Karen McCool, New Members Forum (2024)
  • Joel Roberts, Conference Mentoring Program (2024)
  • Anne Shelley, ex-officio, Placement Officer
  • Will Scharfenberger, ex-officio, IDEA Committee

List of Previous Goals and Progress Made

  • 1. The Career Development and Services Committee will form a standing working group to facilitate the planning of the First-Time Attendees Event. This working group will consist of the co-coordinators of the New Members Forum and a liaison from the IDEA Committee. Each year the IDEA Committee will identify a liaison to work with the NMF co-coordinators.
    • Progress: Accomplished.
  • 2. The Career Development and Service Committee will enhance support for mid-career music librarians.
    • Progress: The Resume and Cover Letter Review Service and the Career Advisory Service have reviewers and advisors able and willing to assist mid-career librarians. The goal of targeted support for this group is ongoing and will be explored in the coming year.

List of Future Goals

  • 1. Evaluate the committee’s organizational structure, particularly as it relates to its services (Career Advisory, Resume and Cover Letter Review, etc.). Determine workload needs, define service coordinator term periods and selection processes, and develop strong plans for continuity as personnel change.
    • Objective 1.5: Evaluate the structure of MLA to determine if it has become too large to be optimally effective or to be able to act nimbly and quickly to current circumstances and changes to the field of music librarianship.
    • Objective 4.3: Develop and/or formalize on-boarding for new members, new committee members, and committee chairs. Incorporate current DEIA efforts into this training.
  • 2. Enhance support for mid-career music librarians [continuation from previous year].
    • Objective 2.2: Offer mentorship and networking opportunities for members at all stages of career similar to the programs for new members or early career professionals.
    • Objective 2.5: Encourage member retention through targeted programs and support for member engagement at all career levels.
  • 3. Update planning for Get Involved to better address hybrid or virtual conferences.
    • Objective 3.5: Prioritize accessibility at all MLA events, in-person and virtual, and in all MLA virtual spaces.
  • 4. Support MLStEP in defining its mission; articulating short-term and long-term goals; evaluating its organizational structure; and establishing (and, as needed, revising) documentation, timelines, and checklists related to the responsibilities for each role within the group with the goal of supporting future MLStEP Officers, Chapter Liaisons, and Advisors in their work. Support MLStEP in planning its yearly membership drive and fostering regular engagement with members.
    • Objective 1.5: Evaluate the structure of MLA to determine if it has become too large to be optimally effective or to be able to act nimbly and quickly to current circumstances and changes to the field of music librarianship.
    • Objective 2.1: Cultivate leaders and provide leadership training opportunities for current and future leaders in MLA. Identify pathways and opportunities to provide training for members of under-represented groups.
    • Objective 2.3: Explore educational and networking opportunities beyond annual and chapter conferences. Sustain member contact throughout the year. Formalize more opportunities to meet virtually and more frequently.
    • Objective 2.5: Encourage member retention through targeted programs and support for member engagement at all career levels.