I began walking the path to an unexpected STEM career in September of 2017 when I started working as a seasonal library assistant at the Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP). In my new role, I met an exceptional librarian, Lynne Hasse, who often encouraged me by stating, “Najla, you would make a great librarian.” Her affirming words served as the catalyst I needed, revealing potential within me that I had not yet recognized. So, when I heard about the launch of the FLP’s Library Trainee Program, I submitted my application with great pride. Admission to the program required that I enroll in an ALA-accredited institution, and so I chose to attend Drexel University to work on my MS in Library and Information Science.
Receiving admission to Drexel University marked a significant milestone in my journey. During my first quarter, on a Zoom call, I informed one of my professors about my efforts to help plan a new program called Community Archiving: Let’s Make Histories, which I helped set up at my local FLP branch. My professor shared this information with Drexel alumni and faculty members who specialize in archiving, and they invited me to interview with the College of Computing and Informatics (CCI) team. The interview led to a feature article about the new FLP program, which I launched along with Drexel alumna Molly Ward, and the article appeared in the CCI team’s online publication. Having our program acknowledged by the institution has been one of my proudest achievements.
Numerous other opportunities have facilitated the fulfillment of my academic aspirations and have contributed to my career development. In 2021, I received a Paradigm Scholarship for Working Women from Philadelphia’s Chamber of Commerce. Another boost to my STEM career came with a scholarship from the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) Black Librarians’ Caucus, which allowed me to attend the Pennsylvania Library Association conference in 2024 in Harrisburg.
I also had the good fortune of attending the American Librarian Association (ALA) conference in San Diego in June 2024, and this past January, I traveled to Phoenix to participate in the ALA LibLearnX 2025 conference. These kinds of experiences enable me to connect with librarians nationwide and to hear keynote speakers and authors discuss the profound impact of libraries on their lives. Through this networking, I gain a deeper understanding of the importance of librarianship and of librarians’ advocacy for literacy. I feel immensely proud and inspired as I work toward a career of such significance.
My involvement in library science and information makes me appreciate the diverse disciplines encompassed within STEM. I joined the Association for Women in Science just last year, and the experience of attending my AWIS orientation, which included a tour of the Legacy Center, further inspired me as a woman to pursue my goals, regardless of the challenges I may encounter. Being a member of AWIS has allowed me to network and engage with individuals across various STEM fields. I feel both inspiration and exhilaration when I connect with women conducting groundbreaking research in cancer or serving as archivists. When I heard about their journeys, experiences, and accomplishments. I feel privileged to be part of such an esteemed community.
I am proud to say that I am the first college graduate in my family. As a trailblazer, I am carving a new path in my own right and establishing a precedent for my children and grandchildren to follow, which, I must say, feels amazing.
Najla Rashad has a BA in liberal studies and is currently pursuing an MS in library and information science at Drexel University, with the goal of becoming a Librarian. She works as a library trainee at the Parkway Central Library in the Business Resource Innovation Center (BRIC) at the Free Library of Philadelphia.
This article was originally published in AWIS Magazine. Join AWIS to access the full issue of AWIS Magazine and more member benefits.