Lauren Adams
Name:
Lauren Adams
MSU Degrees:
BA in English, 2021
MA in English, 2023
Favorite memories of being an undergraduate English major:
I deeply enjoyed taking literature classes with Dr. Marsh and Dr. Claggett. I felt that I could be creative with my research and writing topics in their classes, and I enjoyed investigating the texts they selected.
Current Position:
Youth Specialist (Youth Librarian)
Organization:
First Regional Library
When you graduated with a degree in English from MSU, what were your plans for your future? Has your career path mostly realized those early plans, or have you discovered new plans and goals along the way?
After graduating, I initially hoped to find a remote writing or editing position, but I struggled to find a job in those fields. During my search, I applied to the Starkville Public Library as a circulation clerk. Through that position, I learned how important public libraries are for communities, and after a few weeks, I knew that I would always want to work in a public library.
What is your current occupation, and what does your work mostly consist of?
I now work as a Youth Specialist at the First Regional Library. I plan and lead storytimes for preschoolers and maintain the library’s youth collection. I also plan free library programs for children and teens, which include crafts and STEM activities, as well as larger events like Halloween festivals. As a Youth Specialist, I help with circulation tasks like checking books in and out and registering patrons with library cards.
Which skills that you learned as an English major do you use most in your job?
My widespread knowledge of literature that I gained as an English major helps me every day as patrons ask for book recommendations and as I look for ways to diversify our library’s book collection. Taking creative writing classes also prepared me to be comfortable reading stories to large crowds on a weekly basis since I would often read my writing aloud in these classes and learned how to read in a way that captures an audience. My experience researching is another crucial skill I’ve used as a librarian. I help patrons with research questions daily and teach patrons the skills I learned as an English major.
What additional skills did you need to learn in order to do your job, and how did you learn them?
The main skill I needed to learn was how to operate the library’s circulation system and technology. This is a skill you learn the more you use this technology.
Are there common misconceptions about your career field, which current English majors might share, that you have learned the truth about?
The most common misconception about my career field is that you need an MLIS to work in a library. To get a higher position in a library, you will likely need that degree, but you are sometimes able to work as a librarian with an English degree because of your experience with literature and research!
In what ways does your career enrich your life and help you to achieve your personal as well as your professional goals?
I have never felt more involved in my community as I have while working at public libraries. This involvement helps me build human connections that I might not have gained while working from home or in an office space.
What advice do you have for undergraduate English majors right now who might want to follow the career path you did?
If you don’t have time to work many hours at your public library or if they aren’t hiring, still reach out to them to see if they have volunteer positions. This gets your foot in the door to show your interest in library services and will give you valuable experience helping with shelving, preparing for programs, etc.
[Updated August 2024]