Biology Major Finds Life in UTA Libraries

Fall 2021 graduate Warda Ashraf applied to work at the University of Texas at Arlington Libraries in part because of the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was pretty isolating,” she said. “Then my roommate told me that [the Libraries] had an opening, and it checked all my boxes so I applied.”

Ashraf’s roommate, a nursing major who graduated last spring, sold the Libraries as a place to meet new people while developing professional skills—a combination that Ashraf says the Libraries delivered.

“There are so many skills that I have learned [in the Libraries],” Ashraf said. “One skill that will help me in the future is time management—you have to manage everything you need to do to make sure your assignments are done before coming to work. The Libraries really helped with that.”

Ashraf’s supervisor, Guest Services Lead Student Specialist Devon Peralta, commends her on her diligence and work ethic, particularly during the transition to the new staffing model that saw student leads managing the Architecture & Fine Arts and Science & Engineering branches this fall.

“Warda is an excellent employee that took on the role of student lead with grace,” Peralta said. “We are sad to see her go, but we know she is going to do great things in her career beyond UTA. We are cheering her on as she takes these next steps into her future.”

The biology major, who is also receiving a teaching certificate in life science, knows that her position will soon be filled by someone new, and she encourages her fellow Mavericks to jump at the chance to take her spot.

“The Libraries is fun,” she said. “You get to meet a lot of people—student-, patron-, or coworker-wise. And the supervisors teach you everything, even if you don’t have work experience—everybody at work is really helpful.”