This study identifies developments relevant to new academic librarians’ perceptions of librarianship. Through use of the long interview and document analysis, the researchers developed a grounded theory consisting of six categories that weigh upon novice librarians’ perceptions of the profession:(1) deciding upon a career,(2) experiencing graduate school,(3) continuing education,(4) defining the work,(5) evaluating the work, and (6)(re) imagining the future. The categories are analyzed to theorize how perceptions shift from the decision to pursue a new career through the first few years of professional work, and these processes’ educational implications are considered.