Position Summary: At the forefront of professional innovation, students offer fresh and relevant voices to VOYA operations. Consequently, VOYA seeks student voices and perspectives to add to the VAB by maintaining two current student members to serve one-year terms. Students serving on the VAB learn how a magazine is published, participate in VAB meetings, and make meaningful contributions to the board by providing a unique student perspective. Student VAB members will become adept at strategically scanning the YA services landscape for new ideas on youth services and youth studies. While representing VOYA in an official capacity, students will make valuable professional contacts in the YA services field and will be directly supervised by a VAB member, with whom they will have a one-on-one mentor relationship.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in an ALA-accredited MLIS program
- At least halfway through coursework for degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Completion of at least one YA services course or demonstration of practical experience in YA services such as writing reviews, contributing to a library-related blog, or completion of graduate-level coursework related to young adults or public service.
- Able to commit to a full calendar-year appointment
- Strong technical skills, such as conducting research in online databases and using social media platforms.
Additional Preferred Qualifications:
- Desire to serve YAs in some capacity upon completion of MLIS degree
- Demonstration of YA service experience (such as current professional position,
volunteer activities, internships, or involvement in a YA service group such as YALSA or the YA Division of a state or regional library association)
Responsibilities:
- Write a reflection of your experiences as a VOYA Student Advisory Board
Article to be published in the December or February issue of VOYA
- Participate in VAB Meetings:
○ Arrange and participate in quarterly virtual board meetings
○ Contribute a student perspective on research about YA services, coursework,
and class discussions
- Conduct Research:
○ Research and present new ideas about youth services and youth
studies, including from YA journals and magazines, and deliver evidence of strategic information-seeking
○ Critically read VOYA (both print and online) in order to provide informed
feedback
- Coordinate Recruitment of Future Student VAB Members
○ Toward the end of their term, student members will assist with the recruitment
and vetting of potential new student appointees
- Write and publish at least one review during term on VAB
Benefits:
- Gain practical experience serving on the VAB with other professionals working in the field and serving YAs
- Develop invaluable contacts with professionals in the field of YA services and obtain letters of recommendation from VOYA’s publisher and editor-in-chief
- Improve oral and written communication skills and high proficiency in implementing communication technologies
- Gain experience advocating for selection and appointment of future student VAB members
- Enjoy a complimentary one-year subscription to the print edition of VOYA
How to Apply:
● Send a completed application, including résumé and two letters of recommendation (at least one from a professor or practitioner of YA services) by October 1, 2018 to rmludt@voyamagazine.com