Count me among the library "migrants" to records management :). In my case,
I had an internship with a very capable records manager at a federal
research lab outside Denver, Colorado--I think he lurks here on
occasion--that piqued my curiosity. Unfortunately, at the time, all I could
find were librarian jobs. Three RIF's and 18 months later, I fell into
records. I've found a place--if not HOME in terms of employment status (I'm
a contractor)--where I'm very happy :).

-Dan Hoare
Contract Federal Records Analyst
Washington, D.C.






On Thu, May 9, 2013 at 10:41 AM, Frederic Grevin <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Maria asked "I would like to learn more about your profession,
> experiences, and any pointers you might have on how to prepare myself for a
> future job in this field" and "I am mostly interested in the ease or
> difficulty of transitioning from the librarian field to the records
> management field."
>
>
>
> Maria, your question are all right on the mark, but answering them is like
> writing a book (and yes, there are several books available, see the ARMA
> Bookstore or
> https://members.arma.org/eweb/browse.aspx?site=ARMASTORE&format=Book&category=Professional+Development&sz=25
> ).
>
>
>
> Allow me to suggest that you join ARMA International (the professional
> association of records managers in the US--see http://www.arma.org/), and
> either the Northern Virginia Chapter ("NOVA" see
> http://www.arma-nova.org/index.htm) OR the Greater Washington DC Chapter
> (see http://gwdc.arma.org/). You may find one more conveniently-located
> than the other. IMHO, this is by far the best investment you can make
> (membership is both International and Chapter is NOT inexpensive), as you
> will have the opportunity to meet up with Genuine Living Records Managers.
> They will be glad to bend your ear about what they do (and some of them
> will even complain about it).
>
>
>
> Also, monitor the records management listserv as well as the Archives &
> Archivists listserv---this will give you a sense of the similarities and
> differences of the two professions.
>
>
>
> There are many free publications available, some from ARMA, some from
> vendors in the field. Take advantage of them, though TANSTAAFL still
> applies.
>
>
>
> Finally, while some folks can say they wanted to be a librarian--or a folk
> singer--from a very young age, that's rarely true of records managers. Most
> of us started off somewhere else (archeology in my case), and more or less
> fell into the profession. But I'm having great fun doing it!
>
>
>
> Good luck,
>
>
>
> Fred
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------
>
> Frederic J. Grevin, Vice-President
>
> Records Management Department
>
> New York City Economic Development Corporation * www.nycedc.com
>
> [log in to unmask] * w. 212.312.3903 * mobile 917.510.3016 * f.
> 212.618.5722
>
>
>
> List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html
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