SLIS Alumni News

"Be professional and enthusiastic… Keep an open mind…"

SLIS graduate Maryam Fakouri (MLS ’03) currently works as a reference and instruction librarian at Columbia College Chicago and is a student at DePaul University College of Law. In an email interview, Maryam describes her current job and how her interest in law has grown since her time at SLIS.

What are your basic job responsibilities?
"I began my job after I completed my MLS degree at SLIS. My core duties are to provide reference service, to teach research classes, and to be a liaison and collection developer to three departments on campus. I enjoy working on these and other tasks all the more because of my bright and humorous colleagues. I also appreciate the fact that my workplace encourages professional involvement and growth. For example, I studied copyright law as a Master’s student, and I wanted to continue to learn about it after I finished my degree. So I became involved with the ALA Office of Information Technology Policy (OITP) during my second year at Columbia College. I was a member of the Copyright Advisory Network, a national team that fields questions about copyright from fellow librarians. I continue to meet fellow policy watchers face-to-face at conferences or seminars and find it rewarding to meet others who share my interests."

How did you become interested in law?
"I entered law school to gain a better understanding of the issues libraries face. Legal training builds upon my experiences in courses at SLIS and while working as a librarian. Professor Alice Robbin’s information policy and the law seminar was my first experience researching copyright law and its history. Lou Malcomb’s government documents class opened my eyes to the expansive world of government information. I have Professor Elin Jacob’s course in information architecture in mind as I structure information for my classes and my job. Teaching has helped me to develop my speaking style. And not least, I am confident doing research – in fact, it is something I enjoy.

My career is a work in progress. I aim to combine my library science background with my legal training and to work with people who are curious and creative."

Do you have any advice for students?
"In practical terms, have an example of your best work, such as a website or an article, to show potential employers. Be able to tell a story of how you solved a problem. Be professional and enthusiastic. More broadly, take advantage of the opportunities available to you. Identify where you would and would not be happy and productive. Keep an open mind. Finally, do not be afraid to try new things; we need to step out of our comfort zones to grow."

Posted Sept. 22, 2009