Information AnalystWhat type of job are you looking for? Information Officer or Librarian What nationality are you? Tanzanian What languages do you speak (and at what level)? Swahili and English.... I speak excelent What country or area are you looking to work in and why? Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States.Connecticut enjoys a temperate climate due to its long coastline on Long Island Sound, the weather which is familiar with where I come from. What countries have you worked in? Only Tanzania and Uganda. What field do you currently work in? Library Science What fields have you worked in before? Library Science What qualifications do you hold? Bachelor of Library and Information Science Which do you consider more valuable? Formal education or skills and why? Success in not always measured in terms of money, but having a proper education is essential in today's world. The formal aspect, like it or not, is what comes about from sitting in a classroom with the end goal of earning a high school diploma, a training program (vocational) certificate, or an actual university degree. The university degree can range from an associate's straight through to a PhD. This is something that I am continually trying to impress on my family. There is a lot that I expect we young people to be able to do when we start entering the job market. Think back to what qualifications you had to meet when you applied for your own job, or what the expectations were when there was an entry level position at the place where you work (or worked). Applicants are most often expected to be able to read, and to communicate concisely and effectively in the written and the spoken word. They are also expected to be knowledgable about what is happening in the world around them, and to be able to relate this to past and recent history. Even with this, one of the hardest realities that I had to face when I first graduated from university with a Bachelor of Library and Information Science was that employers cared more about the technical knowledge and experience that I possessed, despite what was said about appreciating the "well roundedness" that was displayed with my background in the humanities. Being familiar and proficient with the latest Word/Excel/Access version, as well as with the latest PC or Macintosh operating system, for many of us, is what got our foot in the door. This was in looking for a full time job that paid more than minimum wage. The math, engineering, and science graduates had the usual advantage here. Like it or not, this is where formal education is the starting point for many jobs in the working world. To be successful, one has to be able to function at a level above the bare minimum, and it usually takes sitting in a classroom and going through a formal course of study to get this. It is quite true that there are examples all around of highly motivated people who have made it without a diploma or a degree, but these are usually the exception. A good number of friends who work as independent contractors and freelancers tell me that in a buyer's market, having the formal education is what can make the difference between getting the job or contract. At the same time, this is not to diminish the efforts and experience of those who do not have such a background. Describe the benefits of working with others - Can spread the workload - Share ideas and talents - Share responsibility - Able to do something bigger and better - A more sociable way to work Describe the benefits of working alone - Free to make all decisions - Can be creative - Can work to your own timescale - Can take all the credit - Can use your own methods - No disagreements | 
