Home: Spotlight
Working and Applying for Jobs During Covid-19? A few tips.
Published: April 2, 2020 by Greta Snyder
Hoping everyone is staying safe and healthy! This health crisis is impacting so many of us that right now we have to play it day-by-day. For those job-hunting, or unsure about the future of their current workplace amidst this tenuous situation, this is a particularly stressful, unpredictable time in the job market. The good news is that as an SJSU MLIS or MARA student, you have proven success working online and remotely in both collaborative and independent roles, and as an up-and-coming LIS professional with work or internship experience in the field, you might also have demonstrated expertise providing information resources to support your community. These skills are more important than ever, so while applying for jobs or starting to look due to current workplace instability, it’s essential to focus on how you might be able to benefit others by leveraging your iSchool LIS skills during this global crisis and make a positive impact.
MARA Student Vida Barone Shares Her Insight
Published: March 24, 2020 by Havilah Steinman
Wondering what current students of the Masters of Archives and Records Administration at San José State University’s iSchool are up to? Vida Barone has worked in local government for 25 years, and shared that she still learns something new every week. Barone founded her own company 13 years ago, City Clerk Management Services, Inc. She started at the MARA program in summer 2018, and made the decision to enroll so she could show her credibility in information governance.
iSchool Director Transitions to New Leadership Role at SJSU
Dr. Sandra Hirsh Accepts Associate Dean Position
The San José State University School of Information announces a change in leadership effective March 16, 2020. Dr. Sandra Hirsh is transitioning from her role as director and professor at the iSchool to associate dean for academics in the SJSU College of Professional and Global Education.
“Serving as the iSchool director over the last 10 years has been the highlight of my career! I am very proud of what we have accomplished during this period,” Hirsh stated.
Sisters Share MLIS Studies, Pursue Individual Librarianship Paths
“We feel lucky to be a part of the library world. Librarians are such a loving group of people, and our iSchool experience has been great so far!”
Kelsey Flynn
MLIS Student (degree expected spring 2021)
Adult Services Specialist, Lockport Library
Lockport, Illinois
Korey Flynn
MLIS Student (degree expected spring 2021)
Adult and Teen Services Specialist, Woodridge Library
Woodridge, Illinois
Free, Online iSchool Career Workshops: What Are You Waiting For?
Published: February 27, 2020 by Greta Snyder
Drum roll please. The answer is the next one! Did you know the SJSU iSchool offers free, online iSchool Career Workshops? It’s time to get the most out of your iSchool experience by learning from the ultimate career resource, iSchool Career Consultant Jill Klees. If you missed this month’s workshop “Your LIS Career Starts Here,” this post will catch you up and prepare you for the next workshop slated to be March 4, 2020 5-6pm PT, focusing on informational interviews. So, take the reins and jump start your career with iSchool Career Workshops: free, live, recorded and awesome.
#SpotlightSeries: First Year MARA Student, Rebecca Sharp
Published: February 20, 2020 by Kenna Wulker
Our MARA students come from a variety of career backgrounds. Some may already be in the Archives/Records Management profession, while others are continuing their education in hopes of landing that perfect position. First year MARA student Rebecca Sharp shares her experience working for NARA, the National Archives and Records Administration, while taking on the MARA program. Read on to learn more!
New Lecturer to Join SJSU iSchool’s Award-Winning Faculty in Fall 2020
The San José State University School of Information announces the addition of a new full-time, non-tenure-track lecturer to its diverse and award-winning faculty.
Exploring iSchool Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
Published: February 6, 2020 by Greta Snyder and guest blogger Karen Pfeffer
With the semester in full throttle, you’re becoming a pro at juggling school, work and life. Be confident that you can continue to grow as a multi-tasking pro and take on one of the most rewarding and best career-building parts of SJSU iSchool: opportunities beyond the classroom. You’ve got to get extra-curricular to really take full advantage of your experience at iSchool.
‘Wholehearted Libraries: Soft Skills for 21st Century Information Professionals,’ First Library 2.020 Mini-conference Encourages Compassion, Empathy and Finding Balance
The first Library 2.020 mini-conference, “Wholehearted Libraries: Soft Skills for 21st Century Information Professionals,” kicks off the 10th Annual Library 2.0 Worldwide Virtual Conference—the global conference series began in 2011— embracing the idea that “soft skills are heart skills.”
Community Archives Volunteer Looks Forward to Career in Librarianship
“I really enjoy connecting youth and family to their favorite things while finding pathways to empower them. Librarianship is a career that will let me connect those things as well as also allow me to serve my community on a larger level.”
Monica Vega Latona
MLIS Student (degree expected spring 2020)
Library Assistant, Sacramento Public Library
Sacramento, California
Want to Hear Some Great Advice? Listen to the Career Podcasts
Published: January 22, 2019 by Greta Snyder
If there’s anything binge worthy this Spring, it’s the SJSU iSchool Career Podcasts. The host, iSchool Career Consultant Kim Dority, is such an engaging interviewer of her LIS all-star series of guests that I have favorited them all on YouTube and you should too. Read this post to find out why.
Bethany Winslow Welcomes the SJSU Community into the Virtual World
“We have to stop thinking in analog. The virtual world has been around for 16 years now. It’s time to join in!”
Bethany Winslow, M.S.Ed.
Instructional Designer, San José State University
Community Virtual Library Hypergrid Resources Project Head
San José, CA
Catching Up With Dr. Michele Villagran
“As we continue to work in diverse workplaces, we have to consider how our own understanding, practices and behaviors impact how effective we are in our interactions.”
Michele A.L. Villagran, Ed.D, MSLS, MBA., MDR.
Assistant Professor, SJSU School of Information
CEO and President, CulturalCo, LLC
Alhambra, California
Job Hunting in 2020? Join Me!
Published: January 9, 2019 by Greta Snyder
Is the new year the time for your next career move? It’s always good to keep your eyes open for opportunities, but when the pressure is on to find a new job everyone could use some tips and inspiration. Join me as a share my what I learn in my job seeking process as a new LIS professional.
iSchool Alumni, Student Chosen for 2020 ALA Emerging Leaders Program
Two alumni and one student from the San José State University School of Information are among the 50 people selected by the American Library Association to participate in its Emerging Leaders Program in 2020.
Media Literacy Advocate Using her MLIS Degree to Promote Information Literacy
“I thought I had to work in a library in order to honor my MLIS degree. Now, I am working for libraries, which is even better!”
Donnell Probst, MLIS 2018
Associate Director, National Association for Media Literacy
Education
St. Louis, Missouri
2020: The Year of Time Management and Self-Care
Published: December 28, 2019 by Greta Snyder
Self-care might be a trending buzzword, but that’s for a good reason. In today’s working world, boundaries with technology can be tricky to navigate. While the Internet and portable, relatively affordable or freely accessible technology increasingly put information and communication at our fingertips, the downside, however, to this infinite access is that it also means we feel like we have to be available and working all the time.
Dr. Daulby Prepares Students for a Future in Information Governance
“We can’t just think in terms of traditional records and information management anymore. Information Governance is where this field is going.”
Lisa Daulby PhD, IGP, CRM
Lecturer, San José State University iSchool
SJSU Alumna Wins ALA’s I Love My Librarian Award for Outstanding Contributions to Public Librarianship
Congratulations to Maria Papanastassiou!
San José State University alumna Maria Papanastassiou, who completed her Master of Library and Information Science degree in 2013, is the latest SJSU Spartan to win the I Love My Librarian Award, conferred annually by the American Library Association. The Kids’ World Assistant Manager at Arlington Heights (Ill.) Memorial Library, Papanastassiou was one of 10 winners announced on December 10, 2019, which included three academic, three public, and four school librarians.
Blockchain Explores Groundbreaking Technology Use in Libraries
Two faculty members at San José State University’s School of Information, Drs. Sandra Hirsh and Susan Alman, have published Blockchain, the newest book in a series from the American Library Association’s Center for the Future of Libraries.