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.
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.
Kickstart Your Career with Membership in a Professional Organization
Published: April 29, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
No Creative Skills? Canva can help with that!
Published: April 11, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
Librarians often find themselves embracing a range of duties on
the job – a customer service specialist at the circulation desk,
a researcher at the reference desk, a sort-of referee in the
children’s section, and an all-around marketer and library
advocate at all other times.
Attending My First Professional Conference
LibLearnX 2024 - Baltimore, MD
Published: April 2, 2024 by Aryn Prestia
Though I am now in my second year here at the iSchool, I still
feel like a brand new student. This most likely has to do with
the constant exposure to new and exciting information as well as
the hunger to learn even more.
Makerspace Librarianship
You Can Do It Your Shelf
Published: August 15th, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen
Makerspaces have become a staple in many libraries around the
country, and it’s easy to see why they are a match made in
heaven. These collaborative spaces offer equipment, software, or
supplies to help patrons create and innovate. Ideally, they are
designed to reflect what their community wants, which means that
no two makerspaces are alike. They can house anything from arts
and crafts supplies to 3d printers, to a podcast studio. Patrons
might use them to create physical objects, play music, or design
a virtual reality room. Here are some tips for those interested
in pursuing makerspace librarianship.
Excellent Questions to Ask at the End of Your Next Job Interview
Published: July 26th, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen
The last question most people are asked in a job interview is “do
you have any questions for us?” Experts agree that it is
important to ask questions during this time to communicate that
you are actively interested in the role. The answers you receive
can also help you decide whether the institution is a good fit
for you. Think about the questions you want to ask ahead of time
so that you don’t freeze up and miss out on this opportunity.
Here are some examples of the types of questions you can ask to
leave a positive first impression.
What’s the Best Part About Working in Outreach?
Q&A with David Freas
Published: July 7, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen
If you love interacting with people and have thought about
innovative ways to make library services available to everyone,
outreach librarianship might be for you! Outreach is an
incredibly important aspect of libraries simply because
communities need to know about services to use them. According to
the American
Library Association, outreach librarians are intended to
serve everyone, however they are often focused on reaching people
who underutilize the library, and communities who are
underserved.
How to Get the Most Out of Joining a Professional Association
Published: June 20, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen
There are many professional organizations within the field of
librarianship that offer networking opportunities, scholarships,
grants, continuing education, and other resources and perks. You
may already be familiar with some of these organizations because
the iSchool provides a complimentary
one-year membership for students enrolled in Info 200. If
you’ve never joined a professional association before, you may
feel overwhelmed by the new emails or feel unclear about how to
contribute. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of
your membership.
Tips for Staying Positive During the Job Hunt
Published: June 15, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen
The process of searching and applying for, interviewing, and
following up on available jobs can be exhausting. It feels like a
part-time job and requires a lot of energy and attention. If you
haven’t landed your dream job yet, or have experienced some
rejection, it becomes very easy to feel defeated. Here are key
tips to help you avoid burnout and maintain an optimistic
outlook.
Should Librarians Be Worried About Artificial Intelligence?
Published: May 29, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen
As new technology emerges, there is often a discussion about how
librarian’s roles will change in relation to it. This
conversation has become especially relevant with the introduction
of new artificial intelligence (AI) tools. These innovations are
certainly going to affect America’s workforce, and librarians are
no exception to this. But what are the opportunities and risks?
Should we be worried?
Four Reasons to Join Student Leadership
Published: April 30, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen
There are ten student groups offered at
the iSchool that offer a wide range of benefits to enrich
your educational experience. Several of these groups are
associated with larger professional associations (such as
ALA,
ASIS&T,
SLA, and
SAASC),
and others have been created at the iSchool as a reflection of
student interests. You may be familiar with many of them from
emails advertising free panels, student mixers, or webinars. If
you have ever considered joining student leadership in one of
these groups, many of them are actively recruiting for the
upcoming academic year. Here’s why you should consider nominating
yourself to be a student leader:
How to Prepare for a Virtual Interview
Published: April 20, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen
Even in organizations where most work is completed in-person, it
is becoming more common to conduct interviews virtually. This
especially applies to the first round of interviews, sometimes
referred to as the “semi-finals.” In fact, according to a recent
Indeed survey,
82% of employers are currently using virtual interviews. This
format eliminates some of the stress of driving and locating
parking at an unfamiliar location, but it comes with its own set
of issues to consider. Although virtual interviews may feel less
intimidating, they are often more competitive because they take
less time and can be offered to more candidates. Here are some
practical tips to help you prepare for your next virtual
interview.
Alternative LIS Career Spotlight: Working at OverDrive
Published: April 19, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen
The unprecedented events of the past few years caused many
libraries to close to the public, resulting in a massive increase
in digital library usage. The company OverDrive provides the
largest digital media catalog in the world to libraries and
schools through their award-winning app Libby. They are a
certified B Corporation dedicated to improving literacy and
supporting libraries and schools with their shared vision. I
spoke with Mike Dresch, the recruiting manager at OverDrive about
what it’s like to work for them and why information professionals
in particular will find this work rewarding.
Alternative LIS Career Spotlight: Working at EBSCO
Published: March 23, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen
Have you ever explored working for a library vendor? Vendors in
the library and information science space make a massive impact
by serving libraries all over the world. Many of these
organizations share the same philosophy and goals as information
professionals, and your experience and field of study should make
you a competitive candidate. I spoke with Tammy Ross, the Senior
Product Marketing Manager at EBSCO Information Services (and
iSchool alumni) about her career with one of the largest research
database vendors serving libraries.
Understanding Industry Jargon in LIS Job Ads
Published: March 20, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen
Applying for jobs can sometimes feel like its own part-time job.
Library positions are competitive and can be confusing for those
unfamiliar with the process. Many library and information science
(LIS) positions are in higher education or government, which
often use specific industry jargon in their descriptions. Here is
a list of explanations for some of the common terms found in
library job ads to help those currently on the hunt.
Getting Started in Medical Librarianship – Q & A with Katie Eidem
Published: February 22, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen
Have you been curious about medical librarianship? Medical
libraries fit under the umbrella of special libraries and allow
you to support the medical community by improving access to
critical health and medical information. On any given day, you
might be working with patients, practitioners, students, or the
general public. Although many medical librarians have degrees
related to the medical field, it isn’t a requirement. So how
should you get started?