Chelsea Rizzolo MI’20, SAS’13 is a Jersey girl who earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Rutgers after, as she put it, “dabbling in film school in New York.” She’s currently a faculty instructor librarian at the Bankier Library at Brookdale Community College (BCC) in Lincroft, New Jersey. Rizzolo details the fruits of her inspirational career search in her own words.

SC&I: You graduated into a pandemic-era world. What did you do once you had your undergraduate degree?

CR: After graduating, I admittedly did some flailing. I worked as a managing assistant at a video production company, an office manager at a music academy, and a contributing writer for an online family magazine. I had worked summer jobs in public libraries during college, but it wasn’t until I landed a job as a library associate at Rahway Public Library (RPL) that I felt like I really found my calling. Working in libraries allowed me to use all my best skills at once. I could be creative, intellectual, manage projects, help people, and constantly flex my critical problem-solving skills! I had a fabulous mentor (and now cherished friend) at RPL who helped me realize that pursuing librarianship was an attainable goal. I graduated from SC&I in 2020 and was fortunate enough to work my first librarian job at Hunterdon County Library System in the Adult Services Department—while moonlighting as an adjunct librarian at Rider University’s Moore Library! That helped me pave the way into academia, which was my ultimate goal. I’m now a faculty instructor librarian at Brookdale Community College’s Bankier Library where I’m liaison to the Business and History departments.

SC&I: What led you to choose the Master of Information program at SC&I?
CR: When I was coming up, it seemed like every librarian I admired and learned from went through the program at SC&I. I talked to a lot of librarians who helped me make this choice, and it ended up being an easy one. It’s such an esteemed program, and I knew from having attended Rutgers as an undergrad that the resources available to students are extremely bountiful. Since I was working, I wanted the flexibility of part-time hybrid enrollment. I was able to take some classes online, but others in person. I’m still in touch with many of my classmates! Even though I’m from New Jersey, I’ve realized how far the reach of the Master of Information (MI) program at SC&I is. I ended up attending classes with many students from around the country and around the world. In fact, at the most recent Annual Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in San Diego, I ran into several SC&I alumni. It’s an incredible network.

SC&I: What SC&I classes or instructors had the most impact on you?
CR: I know I’m not alone when I say that Professor of Library and Information Science Marie Radford has made an enormous impact on my career! Her Reference Sources & Services course made me realize that being a reference librarian was possible. Before enrolling in the MI program, I was actually a little intimidated by reference questions! This class gave me the training I needed to gain confidence and realize my potential. Dr. Radford also is such an advocate for her students. She helped me in so many ways both as a student, and still to this day as a professional. Similarly, Associate Teaching Professor of Library and Information Science Joyce Valenza’s Search & the Information Landscape course is a must-take! I use the skills I developed in her class practically every day at BCC.

The booklover in me will never forget John Schu’s Children, Literacy & Reading course. He’s a New York Times-bestselling author and an overall rockstar in the library and literature worlds. His was hands-down the most dynamic and engaging online course I have ever seen. It’s so cool to follow his incredible career and think, in the words of Buddy the Elf, “I know him!”

SC&I: What advice do you have for current and/or prospective SC&I students?
CR: You can do it! Whatever it is that you are hoping to achieve, just go for it. As a newly minted librarian, it can be a little scary to start a new position, but library patrons and colleagues will see you for what you are—an expert in our field and a Master of Information. Wear that hat proudly. People often ask if it was tough to make the switch from public libraries to academic libraries, because there is this myth that you have to choose one or the other. In reality, there are so many librarians who change paths and try new things. So, don’t let yourself be pigeon-holed. Librarianship is really a choose-your-own-adventure, so follow your interests, and whichever position you end up in, you can make it your own!

Also, take advantage of student and professional organizations like the Library and Information Science Student Association (LISSA) and the Student College, Academic, and Research Libraries Association at Rutgers University (SCARLA) to build your network and foster lasting relationships with your colleagues. I’m on the Executive Board for the Beta Phi Mu Omicron Chapter (the Rutgers chapter of the International Library Science Honors Society), and we’re always offering educational and networking opportunities for our members. In addition to ALA and the New Jersey Library Association (or your state’s library association), it’s an important and useful way to stay plugged into the profession throughout your time as a student, and over the course of your career.

Photo credit: Chelsea Rizzolo