iStudent Blog

Overview

iStudent Blog

Students in all of our programs, as well as applicants, will find the iStudent Blog a gold mine. Written by a current student, this blog provides important information and resources and useful advice, including posts about courses, career pathways, online learning, time management, student groups, conferences, and financial aid.

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iStudent Blog

Spotlight on iSchool Student Organizations
Why You Should Join One This Year

Published: January 14, 2025 by Gabe Farmer

The start of a new year and the beginning of a fresh semester is the perfect time to explore opportunities to connect with fellow iSchool students and build your professional network. Joining a student organization at SJSU iSchool helps you form connections and adds valuable experience to your resume. With various groups tailored to different interests, you’re bound to find one that aligns with your passions and career goals. Here’s a closer look at the incredible student organizations you can get involved in this year.

iStudent Blog

Implications of AI for Moving Image Archivists Hot Topic at AMIA Conference

AMIA Presentation Session Photo

Published: January 6, 2025 by Joshua Insel

This December, I attended the 2024 Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a travel grant from the iSchool. I am currently in my second year of the MLIS program and my chosen career pathway is archives and preservation. Moving image (i.e. film, television) archives are one area that I am particularly interested in. I am passionate about film history and often attend screenings of classic films in Los Angeles. Many of these screenings are of film prints in various formats, both in terms of film size and sound, so I have gained much familiarity with the technical aspects of film. I am also fascinated by restoration projects and the complex work that goes into them. I decided to attend the AMIA conference to learn more about the work of moving image archives and get to know professionals in the field.

iStudent Blog

Winter Break Reads: Cozy Up with These Page-Turners

Published: December 28, 2024 by Gabe Farmer

Winter break is here, and whether you’re curling up by the fire or hiding from the cold under a pile of blankets, there’s no better time to lose yourself in a great book. Instead of swiping through endless Netflix options or doomscrolling social media, why not swipe right on your next favorite read? To help you make the perfect match, I’ve put together “book profiles” for a few standout titles, each with its own unique vibe. From laugh-out-loud rom-coms to awe-inspiring sci-fi, these reads will keep you company when the sun begins to set at 4 pm. There’s something here for everyone, so grab a cup of cocoa and pick your next favorite escape!

iStudent Blog

Gratitude in the iSchool Community: What We’re Thankful For

Published: November 25, 2024 by Gabe Farmer

As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s a perfect time to reflect on what we’re thankful for. In the iSchool, we’re more than just a group of students, faculty and staff scattered across the globe. We’re a community! Whether it’s the program’s flexibility, our inspiring peers and faculty or the connections we’ve built, there’s a lot to be grateful for. I reached out to fellow students to hear what they’re thankful for, and their responses highlight the incredible strength and support within our community.

iStudent Blog

Balancing Life, Work and School – Spotlighting Corrine’s Journey

Corinne Shor and her son smiling to camera with a banner stating 'Day in the Life'

Published: November 19, 2024 by Gabe Farmer

Online education can feel isolating, but the iSchool community spans the globe. We’re not alone in our studies, stresses or struggles. Across time zones and life stages, there are hundreds of students we can celebrate, commiserate or collaborate with. For this reason, I present a “Day in the Life” series that will highlight some relatable iSchool students. The feature will offer insights into how students from all walks of life balance the program with their day-to-day lives and shine a light on our shared experiences. 

iStudent Blog

Navigating the E-Portfolio Process: Tips, Tricks and Tales from the Trenches

Banner, Navigating e-Portfolio

Published: November 13, 2024 by Gabe Farmer

Are you nearing the finish line of your MLIS program? Is the infamous e-Portfolio looming large on your to-do list? You’re not alone, you don’t have to look far to find fellow students nervous about the e-Portfolio process. To help demystify the process, I chatted with Dr. Michael Stephens, SJSU iSchool professor, and two fellow students, Ellie Keene and Rose Harless, who are currently in the final stages of the e-Portfolio process.

iStudent Blog

November Events to Inspire, Inform and Connect

Published: October 31, 2024 by Gabe Farmer

November is shaping up to be packed with exciting iSchool events, each offering unique insights and chances to connect with experts and peers. With topics ranging from diversity and inclusivity to student wellness, there’s something here for everyone. These events offer excellent opportunities to connect with fellow students and information science professionals. Take a look at the highlights and consider joining a few!

iStudent Blog

Top 5 Cybersecurity Tips for iSchool Students

Published: October 28, 2024 by Gabe Farmer

'Cybersecurity tips for iSchool Students'

Cybersecurity Awareness

October is known for spooky tales, but what could be scarier in today’s digital age than having your personal information stolen? October was declared Cybersecurity Awareness Month 20 years ago in 2004. In this digital age, we have so much of our personal information accessible online, but it is easy to feel a sense of anonymity on the internet. Maybe you have even thought, “I’m not anyone important, why would a hacker target me?” Dr. Crystal Fausett, iSchool Assistant Professor, says this can be a false sense of security.

iStudent Blog

Symposium Recap of ‘From Silence to Pride’
National Deaf History Month Symposium

Symposium Recap of ‘From Silence to Pride’

Published: October 25, 2024 by Matsuko Friedland

In honor of National Deaf History Month, the San José State University iSchool hosted a free online symposium on April 30, 2024, titled “Silence to Pride”. A recording of the event is available on YouTube. The symposium featured co-keynotes KayCee Choi and Alicia Deal, and a panel with Brenden Gilbert, Evelyn Keolian, Sadia R. Khan, and Brad McKenna.

iStudent Blog

A Witch’s Guide to Online Learning: Success Tips for iSchool Students, Part 2
The Sanderson Saga Continues

Published: October 21, 2024 by Gabe Farmer

The Sanderson Sisters in the school library

Last week in part 1 the Sanderson sisters learned about some of the great San José State University iSchool resources available to them while they worked on preparing for their first semester. We join them again now as classes begin, presenting them with new challenges. They don’t fret though, because they’ve got more than just magic up their sleeves, they’ve got the iSchool Student Resources!

iStudent Blog

A Witch’s Guide to Online Learning: Success Tips for iSchool Students

The 3 Sanderson Sisters standing in front of a computer with an SJSU iSchool Pumpkin on their desk

Published: October 14, 2024 by Gabe Farmer

The San José State University iSchool provides students with a cornucopia of resources to help steer our course through our chosen programs. However, the iSchool Student Resources page provides a whopping 124 links to various resources in just one webpage. My goal in this post is to provide a pragmatic and digestible guide to some of the most commonly used student resources.

iStudent Blog

Future-Focused Fall: October Events Roundup

Published: October 8, 2024 by Gabe Farmer

October iSchool Events Fall Banner

As we break out the Halloween decorations and enjoy a smorgasbord of pumpkin-spice flavored treats, let’s take a look at the iSchool events coming up this October! The month ahead offers events ranging from casual networking to professional education and development opportunities, both online and in-person. 

iStudent Blog

Building Community Through Stories: Introducing Gabe, New iSchool Blog Writer

Gabe, his wife, and his dog

Published: September 26, 2024 by Gabe Farmer

Hello, fellow San José State University School of Information students! I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with many of you in classes and group projects already, but there are still so many of you I haven’t had the chance to meet yet. My name is Gabe Farmer and I’ll be your new iSchool blog writer! I’m excited to take up this mantle and create helpful, engaging, and community-building content for us all to share. First, I’d like to tell y’all a bit about myself, so you can get an idea of the person behind the posts!