Isabella Brown

Is it strange to say that attending the SGA/GLA conference clicked in my mind like puzzle pieces? I’ve never been to a conference before, so this was my first conference, joint conference, and SGA conference all rolled in one, and what a way to start out!

As a student, I’ve been trying to make the most of my opportunities and explore as many career opportunities as possible. When I started volunteering at the Reese Library’s Special Collections at Augusta University, I was fairly certain that this was the career field for me. Attending the SGA/GLA conference cemented my decision in my mind.

Being away from home was nerve-wracking, but as soon as the conference started, I was welcomed in immediately. As awkward as I was, I never felt alienated from being a new face. Everyone was excited to talk to each other, trading experiences and advice like candy. I got to meet so many wonderful people who gave me contacts, invited me out, and were genuinely happy to see me.

The sponsors were lovely to talk to. I didn’t realize just how many opportunities there were in archives outside of an academic setting! It’s helped me find a goal careerwise for my future outside of “get an archive job.” It also showed some opportunities for my friends as well. I have friends who are getting their degrees to become illustrators. Collecting contact information to share felt just as exciting as it was to receive a stamp on my sponsor bingo card.

The breakout sessions were as fun as they were informative, and there were a lot of thought put into them. I attended some that were geared towards archivists, others towards librarians and there was plenty of overlap. It was a good taste to see what both professions deal with and how I can incorporate it into my work.

Walking along the table for the MLIS Scholarship raffle with the donation jars filled with red tickets was highly encouraging as a young professional. The community truly cares and supports each other. Rows of items ranging from gift baskets to a ukulele were donated to assist with future librarians and their education. While I unfortunately couldn’t stay and see the results, I can assume it went well.

Overall, my time at the SGA/GLA conference was overwhelmingly positive and I enjoyed every second of it. I got to meet new people, see new employment and education opportunities, and realize that this is the career I want to pursue. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to attend.