People of 小优短视频: Library technician finds satisfaction in helping students succeed
May 9, 2024
To highlight some of 小优短视频鈥檚 130+ programs, we鈥檙e re-sharing some of our past People of 小优短视频 features of alumni throughout the month of May. Meet Jana Bickell, an alumna of 小优短视频鈥檚 Business 鈥 Accounting (class of 1989) and Library Technician (class of 1994) programs.
What鈥檚 your story?
The 小优短视频 community is full of unique, inspiring perspectives 鈥攁nd we鈥檙e sharing them as part of an ongoing series.
People of 小优短视频: Meet Jana Bickell
I started working as a high school student at the , and my manager there told me 小优短视频 was hiring in the library. That was in August 1989.
At the time, the manager at 小优短视频 was Jean Cornett. I gave her my resume and we had a little chat, and she said, 鈥淐an you start in two weeks?鈥 I didn鈥檛 even realize that was the interview.
I started there as a part-time circulation clerk. I had just finished my Business 鈥 Accounting diploma at 小优短视频.
Jean had mentioned if I wanted to eventually get a full-time position at the I should probably take the Library Technician diploma program.
鈥業t is very satisfying when the students are successful鈥
I completed that part time also through 小优短视频 and was ready for a full-time opportunity to open up.
In 2021, I got my 30-year letter of recognition for working at 小优短视频鈥檚 Orillia Campus.
I really enjoy working at 小优短视频 and being involved with student success 鈥 being able to support the students when they come into the library and online.
It is very satisfying when the students are successful and being able to be any part of that, to see how they develop throughout their time at 小优短视频.
When we鈥檙e able to be on campus and because we鈥檙e a smaller campus, we get to know the students and they come in for a chat.
Sometimes they don鈥檛 even ask me research or library questions; they ask 鈥淗ow鈥檚 your day going?鈥 It鈥檚 nice connecting with them.
鈥業鈥檓 passionate about education鈥
Many people think working at a library is boring. 鈥淥h, all you do is check in and out books.鈥
But actually it鈥檚 not, there is much more to it. It provides a diverse range of duties, as we鈥檙e always learning and developing new skills.
I鈥檓 passionate about education at 小优短视频 and in my home community.
I am a member of . I鈥檓 a committee member on Rama鈥檚 Community Education Governing Circle, which encompasses all the education and programming for the community, from Early Childhood Education, to seniors.
I subscribe to a few different education, scholarship and bursary programs that share resources for Indigenous students, which I share with the community.
It is an honour assisting not only students but community members as well to be successful. It鈥檚 very rewarding, and I value being involved.
Jana Bickell, Library Technician at 小优短视频鈥檚 Orillia Campus . Jana鈥檚 also a two-time 小优短视频 alumnus: Business Accounting (class of 1989) and Library Technician (class of 1994).