As I write this blog on 3 September 2024, I find myself in the final week of my placement. The experience of working in the Archives and Special Collections department at the University of Leicester over the past eight weeks has been incredibly rewarding for me personally. In this post, I would like to share some of my reflections on my entire placement journey and offer some personal thoughts on what I have learnt and experienced during my placement.
Adviser.
Overall, my experience in the Archives and Special Collections department has been wonderful. I must say that if any future Museum Studies students are looking for a placement in Leicester, I would highly recommend applying for a position in this department at the University of Leicester Library.
Firstly, our work environment is incredibly quiet and comfortable. Even during July and August, which are typically the hottest months in the UK, the temperature in our archive reading room and office remained pleasantly cool. Being located on the basement level of the library, we are surrounded by ample and quiet study spaces, allowing us to focus on our tasks or, like me right now, reflect on our experiences. The library café is conveniently located just upstairs, and our office also provides tea and snacks for us to enjoy.
More importantly, throughout my placement, all my colleagues and supervisors have been incredibly kind and supportive. From the very beginning, they have patiently guided me through unfamiliar tasks and challenges, never hesitating to offer their help. They are also generous with their praise, whether it’s for a small accomplishment at work or even just for wearing a new coat. In my view, this emotional support has been one of the most valuable aspects of my entire placement experience.
Working with my colleagues not only provided me with a warm and supportive environment, but also allowed me to acquire many valuable skills that are both personally enriching and professionally applicable. Personally, this experience fostered significant growth by enhancing my self-awareness, making me more mindful of my strengths and areas where I could improve. I have also learned the importance of patience, especially when managing repetitive tasks or adapting to unforeseen changes. Additionally, my communication skills have improved because of collaborating closely with my colleagues.
I was initially a very introverted and shy person, often hesitant to communicate with others, especially in English, which is not my native language. However, this placement experience has made me much more confident in interacting with my colleagues and seeking feedback on my work. My language skills have improved significantly, and most importantly, I now feel more comfortable and natural when speaking with them. My colleagues and supervisors have been extremely supportive and have always helped me to integrate into the life of the department by helping me to complete my tasks in easy-to-understand English. Even though my English was not perfect, they always encouraged and praised me and I became more confident to express myself in English.
From a professional standpoint, this placement has underscored the importance of attention to detail, which is crucial not only for cataloging and accurately describing archival materials but is also an essential skill in any future professional endeavor. Through analysing the content of various documents, I have significantly enhanced my analytical abilities, which are fundamental to research and museum-related work.
Despite the overall positive experience, I did face some minor challenges during my placement. The biggest challenge for me was the monotony of handling a large volume of text-based archives, which often left me feeling bored and drowsy, causing my mind to slow down and making it difficult to continue working. After seeking advice and support from my placement supervisor Vicky, and Sarah, one of the other archivists, I was able to effectively address this issue.
Their solutions were quite helpful: I could take short breaks by walking around outside the library, enjoying a cup of coffee or tea, or having some chocolate. An even more effective strategy was when Vicky would temporarily switch my tasks from handling text-heavy archives to lighter, simpler online work that I could do from home. One of my favorite stress-relieving tasks was assembling new archive boxes. I found it quite fascinating to transform flat pieces of cardboard into sturdy boxes that could hold numerous file folders.
Additionally, while sorting through outdated documents no longer needed by the institution, I stumbled upon some interesting items such as Marks & Spencer’s shopping receipts and even an old Canadian dollar note. We make sure to recycle or reuse these old folders and file bags to support our department’s sustainable archival practices.
As I look back over the past eight weeks, I am reminded of the morning of July 15, 2024, when my colleague Mingwei and I walked from Princess Road East to University Road, heading to the David Wilson Library for our first day in the Archives and Special Collections department. The street was so quiet, it seemed like it was just the two of us, with maybe a few squirrels and magpies for company. We talked about our hopes and expectations for this placement, imagining what we might achieve. Reflecting now, I am proud to say that we have both met the goals we set out for ourselves in our placement reports and have developed the skills we hoped to gain.
I am deeply grateful for this experience, and it will always be a cherished memory for me. Even after I return to my hometown in China upon completing this placement, I will fondly remember these days and remain thankful for everyone I met here.
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