Work Experience Report
Just two days before the dreaded work experience, butterflies play rugby in the pit of my stomach and I feel surrounded by a fog of dread as the realization of venturing in the unknown that is work finally hits me with an almighty boxing glove!
Like many other people I secured my placement in advance, two years in advance in fact!
My Mum was chatting with her friend Lyn who works at the Priorswood Library in Taunton and the conversation turned to work experience as my older brother was doing just that at the time. My Mum mentioned the fact that I was worried about where I would go for my work experience so Lyn very kindly offered me a place at the library when the time was right. So, I admit not much effort on my part on scouring business and such for a placement but then again, who was I to turn down such a thoughtful gesture?
Two years later here I am nervously chewing my fingernails into non-existence as I wait for Monday to arrive. The reason for my apprehensive is aside from having a taste of the alien concept that is called growing up, I had seen Lyn a week earlier to confirm what I would be doing and she had said I would be meeting and greeting "customers" reading a story as well as helping out with toddlers at "Story time", a kind of mini playgroup for the little ones on a Friday afternoon.
She smiled brightly whilst I barely managed a grimace.
My nerves were sky high as I entered the Priorswood Library, greeted by two women who introduced themselves as Lyn (who I already knew) and Jenny a kind looking woman with a round face. Wasting no time whatsoever Lyn beckoned me to a side terminal and explained how to work it. A list of buttons and what they for spouted out of her mouth, my head swam with the effort of trying to remember all of them. After explaining how to use the book scanner as well ...
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She smiled brightly whilst I barely managed a grimace.
My nerves were sky high as I entered the Priorswood Library, greeted by two women who introduced themselves as Lyn (who I already knew) and Jenny a kind looking woman with a round face. Wasting no time whatsoever Lyn beckoned me to a side terminal and explained how to work it. A list of buttons and what they for spouted out of her mouth, my head swam with the effort of trying to remember all of them. After explaining how to use the book scanner as well other things, she presented me with an identification badge declaring who I was and I was doing here, around a metal chain. As I put it on the chain twisted, causing the badge to face inwards. It was as though it was mirroring my own feeling of wanting to hide. As I tried to master the equipment, Lyn said, "I'll think you'll enjoy working here, once you get the hang of it. When you meet the "customers" who come to discharge their books etc you must always greet them with a smile and friendly comment. As it is a small library we know most of the people who come here so they tend to have a little chat."
I pick up the book scanner as my first customer places his book on the counter, intending to glide the red light over the barcode. The librarians make it look so easy, I thought it must be. I was wrong. My palms are sweaty and my face flushed as I glide the damn thing over the book for the sixth time! I look up to see the elderly gent offering me an apologetic smile while I begin to shake the scanner, anything to make it work. Before I completely lose control, Lyn comes to my rescue effortlessly scanning the book. I cringe with embarrassment. The man says his thanks and as he goes to leave I realise I hadn't said one single syllable to him. So, in my frustration and embarrassment I forget what to say, then remembering it all at once, I say "Thank morning." The man chuckles as I, realising my mistake, turn beetroot red!
I soon get into the swing of using the scanner and after my thirteenth success I feel I have won a battle against it.
My next challenge is shelving; I soon master the technique of shelving in numerical and alphabetical order. To save me becoming too bored when performing this task Jenny or Lyn join me. Although they are much older than me I find myself talking to them very easily. Jenny told me among other things that you don't need any special qualifications to do this job, just knowledge of the alphabet and numbers and good people skills. I always spoke to all of the librarians in a polite and friendly manner, whilst they returned the gesture.
Friday's looming and it feels like there is a balloon in my stomach which has slowly been filling up with nerves over the week. Friday the day when I read to toddlers, the day when I help them colouring and cutting. Arrgh! This is ridiculous it's not like I'm scared of them or anything, I just think it's the fact that I have to read in front of the parents as well as Lyn.
Entering the library, I found that Lyn had already started so I quickly sit next to her. Twelve small faces were staring at me making me feel like a goldfish in a bowl. I'm so nervous that I dig my nails into my palms, so hard I think I'm going to draw blood. This is ridiculous I say to myself not for the first time. My balloon of nerves feels like it's going to pop. I see Lyn reaching for what I agreed to read, a simple picture book. Taking in a quick breath, I open my mouth and....
Working at the library was what I expected, the shelving, the book scanning etc. Although what I didn't expect was the fact that I actually enjoyed it. Sure, there were some tedious times, but on the whole I did enjoy it. The library was much more relaxed than school; you could choose what you wanted to do as long as you got the job done. I don't think I'd choose to go there as a career option, I feel it would get very mundane after a while. At the library I learnt not to get too overpowered with silly things and I also learnt it is much more complicated than it looks!!
By the way, I read perfectly and helped brilliantly with the toddlers at "Story time"! I'm glad it didn't back down from this and I proved to myself I could do it.
