Career Blog
Career Blog
Career development is on everyone’s minds. After all, that’s why most, if not all, of our students come to us. This blog is all about giving you the latest and greatest in what’s going on in the job market. Chock-full of tips and guidance, the Career Blog is a must-read for all students and job seekers.
Finding a Job in Archives and Preservation
Published: March 14, 2025 by Aryn Prestia
The Archives & Preservation pathway is one of the most popular career pathways at the SJSU iSchool and more than 300 students are members of the Student Chapter of the Society of American Archivists. Yet how common are Archivist jobs, really? Let’s explore the current hiring landscape to learn more about the nuances of finding work in the Archives field.
Building Your Library Resume
Published: February 28, 2025 by Aryn Prestia
An updated resume is arguably the most important aspect of your job search process. Regardless of the information science sector you choose to work in, you will be asked to provide an updated resume. But what exactly should you include in a resume for a library-specific position?
Do Cover Letters Matter Anymore?
Published: February 7, 2025 by Aryn Prestia
Our last career blog post focusing on cover letters was published six years ago. In some industries, employers no longer even ask for a cover letter during the application process. But in the information science space, cover letters are still an important part of job applications.
So You’re Graduating in May, Now What?
Published: January 15, 2025 by Aryn Prestia
It can be exciting to enter your final semester in the MLIS program. Whether that effort has been months or years in the making, you are now ready to demonstrate the culmination of your hard work in your e-portfolio and a degree that will lead you to a new career.
Getting that First Library Experience
Published: December 4, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
If you have started the job search, you’ve likely noticed that a majority of the postings indicate that experience is required. In fact, the most recent MLIS Skills at Work Report disclosed that 88% of job announcements include the stipulation that experience is required or preferred.
But what do you do if you’ve devoted yourself to your MLIS degree full-time and have no library experience? In this post, we’ll be looking into how you gain library experience when you have none.
Choosing Medical Librarianship
Published: November 20, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
Interested in becoming a medical librarian? The SLASC recently
hosted a Q&A Panel featuring medical librarians from Stanford
and UC San Francisco. While you can watch the full panel
here, you can find some of the panel’s top tips
below.
What Do You Want to Do with Your Information Skills?
Your Interview Outfit: What to Consider
Published: October 16, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
When preparing for an interview, it’s common to brush up on potential interview questions but it’s also important to consider how you will present yourself to a potential employer. A huge part of your first impression relates to what you are wearing.
Airtable for Librarians
Published: October 9, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
Project Management is one of many job skills that librarians will
find themselves using in the workplace. Though there are courses that students can take to
understand a bit more about the project management process,
ultimately the best way to learn project management is through
practice.
Coursera Career Academy for iSchool Students
Published: September 25, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
Being an MLIS student at SJSU comes with so many incredible
benefits. You have access to dozens of
specialized courses, fourteen active student
groups, scholarship programs, and
internship opportunities, all
of which can be accessed virtually to help you stay involved
no matter where you live. Adding to this slate of virtual
benefits is the Coursera
Career Academy, a free continuing education program for all
students.
Transitioning from a Library Assistant to a Librarian Job
Published: September 18, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
A majority of students in
the MLIS program here at the iSchool are already working in
library environments. Yet without an MLIS degree, the only
positions available to students are typically Library Assistant,
Circulation Aide, or Library Page. As you get closer to
graduation and begin thinking about the next step in your career,
what does it mean to take that jump from assistant/aide/page to
librarian?
A Student’s Review of This Summer’s ALA Conference
Published: August 7, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
The American Library Association hosted its annual conference
this past June in San Diego, California. Billed as “the biggest
library event of the year,” ALA Annual was attended by dozens of
SJSU iSchool alumni, faculty, and current students. I had the
opportunity to speak with one student attendee, Eddie Lagos, to
learn more about the experience.
What to Do After an Informational Interview
Published: July 31, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
So, you’ve planned an
informational interview and conducted
it, now what?
How to Tailor a Resume Using AI
Published: July 24, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
AI Chatbots like ChatGPT are one of the most accessible avenues
to Artificial Intelligence for students. Not only is it fun to
play around with new technology, but it can actually be
beneficial to the job search as well. In this post, we’ll be
taking a look at how AI chatbots can be useful while crafting
resumes.
What to Ask During an Informational Interview
Published: July 17, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
As we mentioned in a previous post, an Informational Interview is the perfect opportunity to get an understanding of the nuances of different library-related positions.
While it may take some time to identify the right interviewee and
schedule your meeting, planning for what to do during the actual
interview is essential for ensuring its success.
How to Craft Your DEI Statement
Published: July 10, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have become essential elements of library organizations in the past few years, and rightfully so! With libraries serving diverse communities and striving to be accessible for all, it makes sense that DEI statements are now a part of more than 63% of library job announcements and DEI is listed as a skillset needed for qualified applicants on 32% of job posts.
How to Ask for an Informational Interview
Published: July 2, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
Once in grad school, you likely learned rather quickly (or will
learn very soon) that there is more than one way to be a
librarian. There are dozens of specialities when it comes to
library science – Public, Academic, Special, Medical, Law, and
Archives, just to name a few. As you navigate the maze of career
choices, the journey from aspiration to actualization can be
overwhelming. This is where informational interviews come into
play, serving as invaluable tools for those looking to better
understand the nuances and day-to-day responsibilities of
librarians in practice.
Review Your MLIS Skills at Work
Published: June 18, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
For several years, the research-heavy MLIS Skills at Work report has been compiled by the Career Services department at the iSchool. The 2024 edition of this highly respected annual report for library job seekers nationwide is now available to help you get a jump on your career exploration!
Brush Up on Reader’s Advisory Skills
Published: May 24, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
While you do not have to be an avid reader to be a successful
librarian, it certainly helps. One of the most in-demand skills
for librarians according to SJSU’s MLIS Skills at Work
Report is reader’s advisory.
