INFO 203 Meetups

Peer mentors for INFO 203 are conducting optional sessions for new students in the first few weeks of the fall semester. Seats are limited, but the link to a recording will be posted here, as soon as it is available. (Generally 24-48 hours after event.) 

All times Pacific Standard (PST).

Please see the details on this page to learn about each session, and then use the RSVP form linked below to register for a session. If you do not see one of the sessions listed in the RSVP form, it means the session is full and has been closed. 

NOTE: In order to accommodate everyone, please do NOT register for more than two meet-ups. Thank you.

Meet-Up RSVP 

The Path I Never Intended: Finding Your Place in the MLIS Program (Sunday August 9, 1:00pm)

Come join us for a discussion about what you were doing before you started your MLIS journey and what strengths it may bring to beginning a career in librarianship! 

Peer mentors conducting this session:  Brandy Stossel Ralph, Claudette Chenet, & Erin Kaczkowski

See the recording of this session. (SJSU iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to open the link.)

 

Get the Most Out of Professional Association Membership (Monday August 10, 1:00pm)

As part of the MLIS program at SJSU, you’ll receive one complimentary student membership in a professional association of your choice. This meet-up will go over choosing which association to join and how to make the most of your membership—for the first free year and for the future if you decide to join any associations afterward.

Peer mentors conducting this session:  Lola Jalbert & Jessica Parker

See the recording of this session. (SJSU iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to open the link.)

 

Returning to school after a long break (Tuesday August 11, 5:30pm)

Attending graduate school at any time of life can be stressful. But re-entering university life can feel especially challenging when you are a student returning after a long break, with multiple responsibilities pulling you in different directions. Come chat about your concerns while gaining some strategies to find balance and order while on this path.

Peer mentors conducting this session:  Jennifer Kohnen & Amy Witzke

See the recording of this session. (SJSU iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to open the link.)

 

Syllabi Demystified (Wednesday August 12, 7:00pm)

Syllabi Demystified aims to pull the curtain back on all things related to a syllabus. Concerns like where to find them, how to read them, and then use this info to select courses that align with your MLIS energy will be addressed.

Peer mentor conducting this session:  Brianna Feng

See the recording of this session. (SJSU iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to open the link.)

 

Beyond the Classroom: Building Your Professional Network Through Student Organizations and Professional Involvement (Wednesday August 12, 5:30pm)

Starting graduate school can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to balance coursework while also thinking about your future career. In this interactive meet-up, we’ll share how getting involved in student organizations, professional associations, conferences, leadership opportunities, and networking helped shape our experiences at SJSU.

Whether you’re wondering where to start, how much time involvement requires, or whether it’s worth it, we’ll share practical advice, resources, and personal experiences. You’ll also have the opportunity to discuss your own interests with fellow students and leave with ideas for building your professional network from your very first semester.

Peer mentors conducting this session:  Lizette Avina & Sara Asad Syed

See the recording of this session. (SJSU iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to open the link.)

 

Saving Your Work – Beyond Screenshots (Thursday August 13, 5:30pm)

One of the first things we are told upon entering the program is to “SAVE ALL YOUR WORK,” but what does that even really mean? Let’s talk about why we have to do this, the different ways we can go about it, and what to do if you miss something along the way.

Peer mentor conducting this session:  Claire Gallagher

See the recording of this session. (SJSU iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to open the link.)

 

I’m ready to hear it when you’re ready to say it: a primer for effective communication through the MLIS and beyond (Thursday August 13, 7:00pm)

Working with others (!!!GROUP WORK!!!) is a critical skill in this MLIS program and in library work in general – no librarian is exempt from participating in committees, creating and preparing strategic plans and budgets, having to defend decisions/desires/requirements to folks outside of the library world for funding, etc.

A willingness to accept this uncomfortable and harsh reality of librarianship, sooner rather than later, will reap benefits for you and those you will work with throughout this program and beyond.

SJSU’s MLIS program is a gentle and contained space for you to practice this skill – because it is a skill and it requires practice – and this meetup is intended to offer tips for embracing and participating in this reality, allow for some self-reflection, and discuss real-world application of this skill.

Peer mentor conducting this session:  Shannon Trawick

See the recording of this session. (SJSU iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to open the link.)

 

The Cynic’s Guide to Choosing Courses: How to min-max an MLIS experience that will get you where you want to go (Friday August 14, 5:00pm)

We will go over how to use the resources available to you to accurately assess how difficult a course will be for you, how beneficial you (personally) will find it, and how to use that information to plan out a schedule that will be balanced and let you get the most out of each course.

Peer mentor conducting this session:  Joey Zimmerman

See the recording of this session. (SJSU iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to open the link.)

 

Did We Just Become Best Friends? Developing Remote Relationships in an Online Program (Saturday August 15, 10:00am)

Meeting peers in an online program can be hard… Picture it: Spring of 2025, two people have taken the steps to become librarians, and they start 203. Between Info-203, 200, and 204, the two keep ending up in the same classes. What do they do? Become best friends! Come join us while Keeley and Aryn share their experiences, stories, and advice on making friends within the program, whether you just want some extra eyes to help review your work, to vent about that one assignment, or to end up cosmically entangled in perpetual future.

Peer mentors conducting this session:  Aryn Fisher-Brouillette & Keeley O’Farrell

See the recording of this session. (SJSU iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to open the link.)

 

The Wayfaring Student: A Guide to Travel While Getting Your MLIS (Sunday August 16, 7:00pm)

Grad school is stressful, and for those of us with the travel bug, getting away from it all is often the best stress relief and a great way to ground yourself and stay motivated. But how do you plan travel around a full course load? How should you prepare? How do you stay on top of group work when you’re in a completely different time zone? We’ll cover all of that and more! 

Peer mentors conducting this session:  Serena McNair & Ivan Adame

See the recording of this session. (SJSU iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to open the link.)

 

Career Pathways: Tools for Mapping Your MLIS Journey (Sunday August 16, 3:00pm)

Trying to figure out what direction to take with your MLIS degree? Want to make sure that the skills you’re building are relevant to your future career? Join us as we discuss how to use the career pathways to craft a unique path for yourself. From Public Librarianship to Archival Studies and Records Management, MLIS career pathways offer a roadmap and introduction to various LIS careers.

Peer mentors conducting this session:  Ciara Sandoval & Tiffany Yang

See the recording of this session. (SJSU iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to open the link.)

 

Library Experience: Where To Begin (Sunday August 16, 5:30pm)

Interested in a career working in libraries but aren’t sure where to start? Join our meet-up, where we will discuss the search process and how you can start building relevant experience while you pursue your MLIS. We will share what we know about navigating the current library job market and finding opportunities that can help you grow professionally. Topics include how to navigate online job applications, access iSchool internship courses and opportunities, take initiative to create your own library-related experience, and make meaningful connections through conferences and networking. This meet-up is a chance to learn from other MLIS students and gain ideas for taking the first steps toward your future career.

Peer mentors conducting this session:  Isabella Rugeroni, Pete Naggi, & Isabel Rodriguez

See the recording of this session. (SJSU iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to open the link.)

 

Your Time Starts Now!: Semester Prep Essentials (Tuesday August 18, 4:00pm)

Staying organized in a Master’s program while juggling other responsibilities can be overwhelming! Having the right tools, resources, and process can help you stay on track, manage your time, prep for upcoming semesters and for your eventual completion of the E-Portfolio. Each person has their own method, so join Jennette, India, and Jenna to discuss semester preparation techniques. We will discuss using syllabi to your advantage, breaking down courses for time management and prepping for your E-Portfolio, staying organized, and going over other resources.

Peer mentors conducting this session:  Jennette Yee, India Witte, & Jenna Williamson

See the recording of this session. (SJSU iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to open the link.)

 

See the recorded sessions from the previous semester. (The iSchool Restricted Materials login is required to access the recordings.)