Keystone Alum Emily Hayes Turns Creativity and Organization into a Library Career

For Emily Hayes, learning at her own pace was something she wanted from an early age.

When one of her closest childhood friends moved away, Emily began thinking seriously about trying online education. She was drawn to the independence it offered and eventually encouraged her parents to enroll her in an online program.

That decision led her to The Keystone School.

Keystone gave Emily the freedom to learn at a pace that worked for her while exploring subjects that were not always available in a traditional school setting.

“The most enjoyable part of my Keystone experience was the massive array of electives available that most public schools do not offer,” Emily shared.

Courses such as animation, photography, and culinary arts made learning feel exciting and gave her opportunities to explore her creative interests.

“Being able to take those classes made logging on for the day feel exciting,” she explained.

Keystone’s practical and career-focused courses also helped Emily better understand her strengths and the type of work she might enjoy after graduation.

After graduating from Keystone in 2022, Emily went directly into a career at a library. She began as a library assistant and eventually advanced into a full-time position as a cataloging librarian.

Her initial love of reading brought her to the library, but she soon discovered that libraries offer many different professional paths.

Emily found her place in cataloging.

Cataloging involves entering detailed information about books, movies, puzzles, and other resources into a searchable database. The work requires close attention to detail and follows specific organizational guidelines.

For Emily, that combination is an ideal fit.

“It is very meticulous and follows a strict set of guidelines, which is the dream for a perfectionist like me,” she shared.

Her career gives her the freedom to be herself while doing work that matches her natural strengths. It also provides time for another passion: traveling.

Emily credits Keystone’s electives with helping her embrace her creativity and discover a lasting appreciation for art. Even though her career is highly organized and detail-oriented, the creative confidence she developed continues to influence her life.

Her advice to current Keystone students is to remain focused and complete their lessons in the intended order.

“It can be tempting to jump around and do whatever sounds the most interesting first, but the lessons are in that order for a reason,” Emily explained.

Emily’s journey shows that education can do more than prepare students for graduation. The right courses can help them recognize their strengths, explore new interests, and discover careers they may never have previously considered.

From creative electives to cataloging library collections, Emily has built a life that balances imagination, structure, and personal freedom.

Learn More

Interested in discovering how Keystone’s flexible courses and diverse electives can help students explore their interests? Visit The Keystone School to learn more.