I’m considering applying for what would be the dream job of my early 20s (before my expectations for myself shoot through the roof) here at the U libraries* and while I feel very very qualified for this job, there’s one element of their preferred qualifications that’s weak for me.

Namely, fluency in: “Web and graphic applications such as: HTML, CSS Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Javascript, blogs and wiki, RSS Flash, InDesign, Publisher, PowerPoint. ”

I’ve used some of these things, am fairly quick to learn and good at technology, but does anybody have some good online resources that you can point me to so I can get myself a semi-working knowledge of some of these?

*I am a Minneapolis person, for those who don’t know me. I currently work fo rthe U of M libraries already, this would be a lovely promotion. I am also Zach’s girlfriend and mother of the cat we adopted.

hmm unfortunately I have no idea

I can point you in the right direction for pirating most of those apps tho

also the Coffman bookstore has a pretty expansive section of software guides

That’s all easy stuff and you probably know more than you think.

- HTML: Google html tutorial and you’ll get the basics of html coding easily. When you interview, tell them you’ve been learning it and are excited to do more work with it. HTML is really, really easy.

- Dreamweaver – Dreamweaver is just an HTML and XML WYSIWYG coding tool. You could pirate a copy, as Sam suggested, and use it to learn HTML in an afternoon (free DW tutorials are online).

- Indesign, Publisher, Powerpoint: Indesign is easy (and intuitive if they have templates), Powerpoint you’ve probably used (and just play with it if you haven’t), and Publisher I’ve never needed and couldn’t tell you. Play with it and google for free tutorials.

- Javascript and Flash are probably unnecessary unless they expect you to do coding (they probably don’t even know what they want with so many items listed). Look up what they are and say you’re familiar with them but you have no direct practice; they’ll train you if they need it.

- Blog and Wiki: Easy, you’ve used wikipedia and read/written blogs (that’s what LJ is).

Post updated by cameron on 2008/07/11 11:27

Yeah, I feel like I can learn whatever they need—especially because like yo usaid, they listed so many items that they probably aren’t sure what they want. I don’t think it’s the be all end all of the job, but if I end up getting an interview I figured I should take a day and tinker with these things so I can say I’ve got a basic handle. Blog and wiki, like you said, I’m fine with, likewise with Powerpoint. HTML and dreamweaver worried me a bit. I think they just made a big crazy list because part of the job is maintaining the web content for the St. Paul libraries and the woman who previously held the position did a great job and really capitalized on making their sites attractive and user-friendly. Who knows what it looked like before her.

But I AM excited at the possibility of maybe, just maybe, getting this job and learning these things. Thanks for you rinput, Cameron! And Sam, you should tell me where to get DW then, those are the only two that I feel like I should potentially be well-prepared for.

If i get an interview. I don’t want to jinx it ;)

If they/you have InDesign – I can think of no instance where you should need Publisher. InDesign does everything Publisher does in a vastly (!) superior way. The only thing is that the learning curve is a bit steeper because it’s a professional tool. Even still for what you’ll likely use it for, Cameron’s right – it’s incredibly intuitive.

Okay I feel much better about all of this :)

Now all I need is an interview.