Jaylen MacMillan started working at the Georgina Public Library (GPL) in high school. This summer, she took on a bigger role with bigger responsibilities.
As GPL ambassador, MacMillan’s responsibilities include community outreach through events, school visits and social media; assisting The Summer Reading and Learning Club at four library branches; and designing two weekly programs for children—one focusing on STEAM activities and one on literacy and reading.
“The best part of my job is by far the community. Being the GPL ambassador has allowed me to meet so many lovely people from across Georgina. It’s always very sweet when people greet me with recognition and share that they remember seeing me at an event or in my videos on the GPL Instagram page,” said MacMillan.
Making social media content has been a highlight for MacMillan.
“Whether it was doing silly dances, sketches or hopping on the latest trends, it always sent a wave of laughter throughout the library,” she said.
MacMillan credits her co-workers with teaching her about career development, libraries and what it means to feel truly welcome in a community.
“I hope I’m having some impact on how future generations view libraries and literacy. In a time when libraries are under attack by AI and politics, it feels rewarding to reach out to my community and hear their thoughts on what their library can do to support them best,” said MacMillan.
Her biggest piece of advice for job hunters? Just go for it.
“Before applying to this position, I was nervous. I truly believed the job was beyond my capabilities. But I was wrong. If I had never applied, I would have never known that,” she said.
Shaylene Abrey-Webster
Chemical Compliance team, Collins Aerospace
Aerospace Engineering, 4th year
Source: TMU students land cool summer jobs
