Ciara Hensley earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University in Information, Communication and Technology in 2014. Due to her strong interest in the field, she continued to pursue her master’s degree in Library & Information Studies. Graduating in 2017, Ciara moved back to her hometown of Orlando as an Emerging Technology Librarian at Valencia College.
Ciara creates online learning content that focuses on information literacy concepts. With the ever-growing presence of technology, online courses have become a strong part of academia. She elaborates on her position, explaining that her job “is to make sure that students have all of the tools they need to get the same, if not better, learning experience as they might get in a face-to-face class.”
While working at Valencia, Ciara has gotten the chance to meet people with different stories and backgrounds. Being a librarian has also reminded her to be compassionate and understanding. “We never know what someone is going through, or how difficult their journey was to get to where they are now.” Ciara explains, “It is so important for us to be kind and help each other out.”
To learn more about Ciara and her job, continue reading our Q&A:
Who do you admire and why?
Dolly Parton is amazing! She has style, a great sense of humor, and she has a strong passion for helping others.
What Jeopardy category could you clear, no problem?
The Office
Favorite Office Snack?
Yogurt
Best account to follow on social media?
@worldmarket
Best piece of advice you have ever received?
“You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” I think it is so important to always be kind to others, even in tough situations!
How did your education prepare you for your career?
My classes helped me understand the ins and outs of the library world, and how to best serve each community. From creating marketing materials to teaching classes, my experience at FSU left me with the confidence to be a professional.
Share a notable (funny, embarrassing, exciting) experience you’ve had at work:
My very first time teaching library instruction at Valencia, I ran into so many tech problems! The keyboard froze, then the mouse…I was nervous to begin with, but I couldn’t help but laugh at all of the glitches I was encountering. My class was super understanding, and we eventually made it through our lesson.
Where do you look for inspiration?
My two-year-old son, Sam, inspires me to be the best person I can be. Everything I do is for him.
How do you handle work-life balance?
Thankfully, Valencia is an amazing place that values their faculty. I am able to create my own schedule, and can plan my day so I have plenty of time to go for runs and hang out with my son.
What advice would you give yourself in college?
Take your learning seriously. You will use it down the road!