Five Year Professional Growth Plan

Meredith Reardon

It is my ultimate career goal to become part of the executive leadership team of a large public
library system. It is with this in mind that I have crafted a five year professional growth plan that will
help me accomplish this goal. Within five years I hope to be working as a Branch Manager in a medium
to large public library system. During this time I will have obtained my MLIS, acquired my first
professional library position and become highly involved with professional library organizations.

2014 Goals Actions Expected Outcomes Timeline
Earn MLIS Finish final course and
capstone
Successful completion
of courses and
graduation.
December 2014
NC Public Librarian
Certification
Apply for certification
after receipt of MLIS
Successfully obtain
certification.
December 2014
Widen breadth of
library experience
Continue to take on
new roles in current
position.
Gain experience in
creating programing
and managing
volunteers.
October 2014-
December 2014

Goals 2015 Actions Expected Outcomes Timeline
Obtain Professional
Library Position
Apply to relevant job
openings. Leverage
existing professional
relationships.
Obtain professional
library position in Adult
or Youth Services.
December 2014 May
2015
Grow Leadership
Abilities
Complete ALAs online
courses and webinars
in Leadership and
Management.
Gain knowledge on
working with city and
county officials,
strategic planning and
engaging and
motivating staff.
January 2015
December 2015
Increase Involvement
with Professional
Organizations
Seek a position on a
NCLA committee.
Serve on a NCLA
Committee and attend
the NCLA Biennial
Conference
January 2015
October 2015

Goals 2016 Actions Expected Outcomes Timeline
Write a Successful
Grant Proposal
Locate and write grant
that meets a need in
current position.
Receive grant and
begin implementation.
January 2016-
December 2016
Grow Leadership
Abilities
Seek recommendations
for NCLA Leadership
Institute and complete
application.
Attend NCLA
Leadership Institute
March 2016
November 2016
Work with Outside
Organizations
Seek a partnership with
friends group or local
foundation.
Successfully complete
project by leveraging
local support and gain
experience working
without outside
organizations.
January 2016
December 2016

Goals 2017
Manage Grant Funded
Program
Mange grant funded
project and complete
an assessment.
Gain project
management
experience.
January 2017-
December 2017
Grow Leadership
Abilities
Seek recommendations
for PLA Leadership
Academy and complete
application.
Attend PLA Leadership
Academy.
July 2016 March 2017
Increase Involvement
with Professional
Organization
Seek a leadership
position on an NCLA
committee or
roundtable.
Obtain a leadership
position on a
committee or
roundtable.
January 2017
December 2017

Goals 2018
Grow Leadership
Abilities
Seek recommendations
for ALA Emerging
Leaders Program and
complete application.
Be selected for ALA
Emerging Leaders
Program.
May 2018 December
2018
Obtain Project
Management
Certification
Use undergraduate
education and grant
project management
experience to sit for
PMP certification
exam.
Obtain PMP
Certification.
January 2018 June
2018
Obtain Position as
Library Branch
Manager
Apply to relevant job
openings. Leverage
existing professional
relationships.
Obtain Position as
Library Branch
Manager.
July 2018 December
2018