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Hi Ceci, > I have 3 project ideas twirling around in my head at the moment... > Do these spare-time projects get any respect from the "real world" > when it comes time to apply for a job? Yes they do -- at least they do at the type of place you would probably want to work. Over the years, I've served on a lot of search committees for library techie positions, and that's something I ask about for candidates that don't already have a lot of work skills/projects documented on their resume. And even if they didn't get respect, it still pays off in other ways: that type of project forces you to solve the types of problems that always crop up outside a classroom environment... and which are the types of problems you will encounter in a real-work environment. And just as importantly, projects like that increase your *confidence* in yourself. That confidence comes across in interview situations. Heck, I *still* work on "spare-time projects" as I have the time. They give me a chance to learn new skills that, more often than not, I then end up utilizing in my day job. Win for me, win for my employer. -- Michael # Michael Doran, Systems Librarian # University of Texas at Arlington # 817-272-5326 office # 817-688-1926 mobile # [log in to unmask] # http://rocky.uta.edu/doran/