My experiences from my past career, as well as those I have gained through my studies, directly supports my ability to succeed as an information professional. I have built a solid foundation of skills in teamwork and collaboration, and problem solving and planning. Skills and experience in coordinating with colleagues, researchers, and institutions to ensure accurate preservation and accessibility of historical materials is important. My background working in groups for research projects during my master’s degree demonstrates my ability to work effectively with others to evaluate and synthesize complex information. In addition to this, I have also worked as a group to develop solutions and present findings, which is a skill that is important in many settings where clear communication and teamwork are essential to maintain collections and provide public access.

Working as a team has been a large part of my education as well as my past work experience as a Mechanical Designer. It has given me the ability to learn to work with others well and also to allow others ideas to improve and influence my own. History is supposed to be collaborative, and teamwork is important to developing a better understanding of it.

First Nations Hall – Canadian Museum of History – Gatineau, Quebec – Matt Marsh

Mausoleums at Notre-Dame-de-Grace Cemetery – Montreal, Quebec – Matt Marsh

Another fundamental skill in information professions is an ability to plan and solve problems. My experience in digital archiving during my master’s degree and during my work as a mechanical engineering project manager shows my strength in this area. During my work in my cultural heritage class I navigated challenges such as missing metadata and copyright restrictions which are both issues that are highly relevant to archival work. My ability to research and find solutions that fall within legal and ethical constraints shows my capability to manage and preserve collections responsibly. My background in architecture and mechanical design also developed my skills in problem solving with strict guidelines much the same as how archival librarians must balance best practices in preservation with public access. My role as a project manager further emphasizes my ability to coordinate efforts, manage resources, and develop solutions which are essential skills for an information professional to have.

Working with the NAC on preserving and cataloguing their maquettes has allowed me to gain valuable first-hand experience in an archival field. Discovering the methods they use, and how important copyright law is to being able to publish findings has given me more drive to continue in this field. 

All together, these core competencies position me to excel in a career as an archival librarian, My capacity to work effectively in groups, navigate complex challenges, and develop solutions allows me to contribute meaningfully to archival projects and ensure preservation of historical materials in a meaningful manner.