MAHJABEEN SYED

♦ Email: mahjabeen.a.syed@gmail.com

Website: mahjabeensyed.com ♦ LinkedIn: Mahjabeen Syed ♦ Twitter: @WMagicS

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Has experience working with young adults in library spaces, developing engaging programming for teens, and facilitate
meaningful interactions to build relationships. Promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion for all. Enjoys being customer-
facing, promoting and teaching digital literacy skills, giving book talks, conducting readers’ advisory, and more.
SKILLS
-Writing & editing -Readers’ advisory
-Social media & SEO experience -Customer service
-Teen services -Microsoft Office proficient
-Strong verbal communication -Organized
WORK HISTORY
Learning Experiences, Young Adult Librarian October 2019 to Present
Skokie Public Library

-Effectively meets the needs of teens within the library by providing adult supervision in teen spaces
-Participates in restorative justice practices and behavioral interventions to deescalate and redirect inappropriate
library behavior
-Builds positive relationships with teens
-Implements library programming to engage teens in conversations about school, careers, and life.

YA & MG Reviewer January 2019 to Present

Booklist

-Reviewing middle grade and young adult fiction

Learning Experiences, Young Adult Services (Practicum) August 2018 to May 2019
Skokie Public Library

-Engage with young adults in teen spaces after school

-Staff readers’ services and youth services desk to assist patrons with readers’ advisory, answer general inquiries,
locate materials, provide device use download and instruction, add and search holds, search museum passes, etc.
-Lead pop-up and weekly programs including a reading program for teens and writing program for grades 4-5
-Selection of teen mental health titles (annotated bibliography) to assist with future implementation of teen nonfiction
collection

Managing Editor April 2016 to April 2017

Chicago Woman Magazine

-Worked directly with contributors, public relations personnel and interns to assign content
-Edited stories and gave final approval before publication on website and managed web editorial calendar
Administrative Assistant March 2015 to Present
Real Estate Broker

-Communicate with clients and agents, manage leads and lead accounts, oversee social media updates and strategies
-Create presentations, manage a complex daily schedule, marketing materials, research, and other duties as assigned.

–––––––––––––––––––—––––––––––– EDUCATION ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Master of Library and Information Science January 2018 to Present

Dominican University - River Forest, IL

-Skokie Public Library practicum student

-Courses: Collection Management, Reference Services, Young Adult Library Materials, Organization of Knowledge
(cataloging), Libraries and Information Center Management, Social Media and Emerging Technologies and more.

Bachelor of Arts: Creative Writing September 2012 to August 2014

Columbia College Chicago - Chicago, IL

-Recipient of Chelsea Laine Wells Fiction Writing Scholarship and Transfer Achievement Scholarship
-Dean's List every semester
-Graduated with a 3.9 GPA