Request info in envt/science/nat. hist careers

[Eleanor Smith]

Hi,
I am looking into changing careers and I am particularly interested in
library science. (I've sent out some graduate school applications.)  I am
also very interested in the environment, natural history, and the life
sciences.  And I am looking for ways to combine these interests with
library science.

I'm hoping that some of you on these lists might be willing to help me out.
Would anyone be willing to tell me about your experiences in this area and
answer some questions?

The two options I see would be to converse via email--my direct email
address is: ems6 at cornell.edu--or we could arrange a time for me to phone
someone for a brief (10-15 minute) informational interview.

I would greatly appreciate any responses; and if people were interested, I
could also provide a summary of what I've found out.

For anyone who is willing to help, I have included a brief description of
myself, plus a list of questions, at the end of this message.  Any
information would be very welcome!

Thank you,
Eleanor Smith

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Some personal information:
I have an academic background in nutrition and biochemistry.  However,
after receiving an advanced degree, I discovered that laboratory research
was not how I wanted to spend my working life.  My interests are very
broad--although they cluster around biology and the environment--and I
liked working with people.  I have always enjoyed library, web, and
database searching--and have enjoyed doing these things when they have been
part of my job. Currently I work as a research assistant in an
envrironmental economics department at Cornell University. I'm hoping that
environmental or science librarianship of some sort will provide a way to
combine my broad and varied interests.

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Here are some of the questions I have--responses to one, any, or all would
be very much appreciated, either over e-mail or phone.

How did you get into this type of work? Or get interested in this area?

What kind of organization do you work for?

What do you actually *do* in your position?

What do you like/dislike--and why?

How much opportunity do you have for teaching or organizing and presenting
information (such as a web page)?

How is the human environment where you work, i.e., what are the people you
work with like?

What are opportunities (specific types of work, and overall availability)
and salaries like in this field?

What are the most important traits for an environmental/science librarian?

What role does having a strong interest in your subject matter play?  (I am
very interested in this question, and can clarify it further if you wish.)

Comments are welcome.

*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*)*


Thank you very much!

Eleanor Smith



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Eleanor M. Smith
Research Support Specialist, Environmental Economics
Dept. of Agricultural, Resource, and Managerial Economics
301 Warren Hall
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
607-255-6405;  Fax: 607-255-9984
ems6 at cornell.edu