Senior Spotlight - Kent Meinert

 

As the end of the semester approaches, we’d like to take the opportunity to highlight our graduating seniors. This is a bittersweet moment for us as we will miss them terribly, but we wish them much success in the future. Their contributions to our library during their time here have been invaluable to the success of our library and appreciated more than they know.  

We thought it would be awesome for them to share a few words about their time here at the Business/SPEA Library.  

Where are you from?  I was born in Bloomington, IN but lived an equal amount of time in Greene County (Solsberry, IN) and Columbus, IN so I never know how to answer this question. 

How long have you worked at the Business/SPEA Library?  Almost 2 years, I started at the library August 2022, and I have worked every semester (including summers) since then. 

What is your position in the library?  Senior Public Services Assistant

What did you enjoy about working at our library?  I enjoyed everything about working at the Business/SPEA library. It is a great community of people to work with. I enjoy acting as a (small) junction between students and pursuing higher education. I have had amazing conversations with nearly everyone that I have worked with.

Do you have a favorite library, IU or Bloomington memory?  Learning about the lore of different professors, and the semester meetings where we get to all come together.

What’s your degree & major?  I am getting a bachelor of arts in Cognitive Science and Linguistics with a minor in Psychology. Also a Certificate in Neuroscience.

What are your plans after leaving IU?  

Short term: Work in a research lab gaining experience. Work on manuscript publication(s). 
Intermediate term: Start (and finish) a PhD  in a field related to the intersection between the mind and language. 
Long term: Work a career in academia (or industry) revolving around exploring and treating language disorders.  

Any farewell thoughts to share?  Working as a PSA at the Business/SPEA library, I believe it's important to recognize the profound impact it has on our personal and professional growth. As PSAs, we serve as bridges between students and the wealth of resources within the library. This role demands dynamic problem-solving, effective interpersonal communication, navigation assistance, and support in database exploration. Through these responsibilities, we enhance our abilities in communicating effectively, problem-solving, and perhaps even spatial orientation. These are indispensable skills that equip us, and others, for a world increasingly reliant on strong communication and information literacy.

Moreover, beyond skill development, the interactions with my coworkers has been profound. Our team comprises of diverse undergraduate and graduate students, each bringing unique backgrounds and experiences. Engaging with them, learning from their stories, and building connections has nurtured my empathy and understanding. In closing, I extend gratitude to the library for fostering an environment that cultivates practical skills and meaningful connections during this transformative phase of our lives. I firmly believe that if more workplaces emulated the ethos of the Business/SPEA library, the world would be a better place.

Thank you, Kent for being a part of the Business/SPEA Library team. Congratulations & Best Wishes in the future!