Name: Jillian Austin
Class Year: 2023
Major: Anthropology
Hometown: Mount Juliet, TN
Internship Organization: Tennessee State Library and Archives
Job Title: Intern
Location: Nashville, TN
What’s happening at your internship?
For the past few weeks, I have been working for the Tennessee State Library and Archives located in Nashville. I am doing work with the Library Collections department and completing tasks under the director and alongside librarians. I am helping with any projects they need, which is giving me the opportunity to learn different parts of the department. The majority of my job has been going through federal documents that need sorting and cataloging. I have gone through over 200 geological maps from the Department of the Interior in two months alone!
Why did you apply for this internship?
I have always been interested in books, and in the past few years I have been considering a career in a library setting. As I was looking for internships for this summer, I was looking for opportunities in libraries and archives, so when I saw that the TSLA had opportunities for college students, I was eager to apply. I have experience working in Canaday and I wanted to see what a large state library would look like.
What has been your favorite part of this internship?
My favorite part of my internship is the people I work under. The Library Collections team is filled with intelligent and driven people that I am honored to learn from. They love what they do, and it is inspiring to see that. The team constantly gives me advice and teaches me about the industry. Everyone is always willing to help and to talk about their role and what they did to get there.
Can you talk about the skills you are learning and why they are important to you?
The biggest skills I am learning are related to computers and databases. In my past work experience, I only learned basic skills when it came to computers and databases, but I am learning crucial skills at my current position. The databases I work with are used in other libraries, so they will be beneficial for me to have experience with if I end up working in a library. Even if I do not work in a library, I am practicing with Excel and practicing how to pick up computer skills more quickly!
Visit the Summer Internship Stories page to read more about student internship experiences.