Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

In complete control of the school library, holding some 14,000 items.

Promoting literacy on a 1 to 1 and class basis. Supporting whole-school literacy and reading for pleasure initiatives. Supporting curriculum studies and developing independent learning and research.

The interaction with students is great fun, and seeing them develop and improve gives a huge amount of satisfaction.

As a 100% boarding school, all staff are expected to contribute to pastoral and extra-curricular activities including evening and weekend duties in a boarding house. This can be very tiring! I currently edit the school magazine, have some responsibility for careers provision, teach cricket and rugby to Y7 boys, am a chapel warden...etc etc etc.

I enjoy being on total control of a library, from policy making, budgeting and administration, to daily contact and interaction with my "customer base" (i.e. the staff and students at the school).

Library management, personnel/HR skills, mentoring, budgeting / finance, forward planning, ICT, child welfare, teamwork, listening, negotiation skills - and many others!

CPD is offered and supported by the school, but it is up to me to find courses / training that is specific to my position.

2006-2008: Library Assistant (driving a mobile library) and Senior Library Assistant (Children's Services) - East Ayrshire Council

2008-2011: School Librarian, Kilmarnock Academy, East Ayrshire.

2011-present: School Librarian & Careers Co-Ordinator, Duke of York's Royal Military School, Dover, Kent.

I currently have no long term career plans, other than to find the time to write more. School Librarianship as a career does not have a natural progression "up the ladder" apart from to move to a bigger / better / more generously resourced library (bigger is not necessarily better!)

Apply for everything, keep an open mind. I had no idea that I would love school librarianship so much until I tried it (I always thought I would be a public librarian).

Librarianship is still a good career, but you have to make yourself relevant and useful in many different areas. Don't be too narrow in your definition of job skills.