iStudent Blog: Careers
From Retail to the Library
Published: April 10, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
While some iSchool students begin their journey shortly after completing their undergraduate degrees, many of us (myself included) have returned to the classroom after a decade or more, eager to forge a new path. Because online learning can be so isolating, a goal of mine is for this blog is to share stories of iSchool students from all backgrounds and walks of life, highlighting that no matter your circumstances, you’re not alone.
Mirna Gutierrez’s journey from a 15-year career at Target to becoming the sole library tech at a junior high school perfectly represents the new paths many of us are forging. In our conversation, she shared how a simple job tip evolved into a lifelong calling and how she’s balancing full-time work while pursuing her master’s degree in library science.
Exploring Informatics: Ronna Del Rosario’s Path at the Intersection of Healthcare and Technology
Published: March 25, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
Embarking on a new academic and professional path is both challenging and rewarding. For iSchool student Ronna Del Rosario, this journey led her from a career in nursing to the field of informatics, where she integrates her healthcare experience with her interest in user design and coding.
Ace Your Next Interview
Insights from REFORMA LA
Published: March 6, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
If you’re an MLIS student gearing up for job hunting, these tips from the latest REFORMA Los Angeles meeting are a great resource. The segment on interview questions and best practices was so packed with excellent advice that I couldn’t help but share a few highlights here.
From Rope Tricks to Reading Lists
Karen's Quest to Lasso Lifelong Learning
Published: February 25, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
iSchool Alum Karen Quest has been roping in audiences for most of her life and still incorporates her cowgirl act into her work with library outreach. Her show, Cowgirl Tricks, features trick roping, whip cracking and what she laughingly calls “kooky cowgirl shenanigans perfect for the whole family.” Karen has performed for corporate events, private parties, fairs and festivals nationwide. Yet, in 2011, she stepped into a new performance arena: libraries. At a children’s librarian showcase, she found an intriguing new audience. “As I continued to get booked at libraries, I noticed that librarians were funny and they were smart and they get it,” she explains. “And very different from the other clients that I did business with. And I started getting library curious.”
Internships, Fellowships, & Residencies for Academic Librarianship
Published: June 9, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
For iSchool students, finding the right entry level position that fits your interests can be difficult. For those on the academic librarianship MLIS career pathway, internships, residencies and fellowships can be excellent professional development opportunities for iSchool students and early career librarians.
Conference Presentation Insight: Tips & Pointers Part 2
Published: February 6, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
This past fall semester was an extremely busy time for me. Not only was I working part time and taking a full course load, I also presented at two conferences! For those unaware, presenting at a conference takes a lot of preparation and careful planning.
Conference Presentation Insight: Tips & Pointers Part 1
Published: January 25, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
While an iSchool student, I’ve been able to attend conferences, get networking opportunities, and gain professional development. However, I have had little experience with presenting at conferences until this year, most notably at the 2023 International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums and the International Indigenous Librarians’ Forum 2023.
An Interview with iSchool Alumni: Chlöe Van Stralendorff
Published: January 14, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
As part of the iSchool I’ve attended many conferences and met working professionals. I have also met many iSchool alumni, who have been very generous with their time and expertise. We often chat about the profession, the iSchool, recommended iSchool courses, and even how to survive INFO 289 e-Portfolio.
A Discussion with Dr. Ghosh about new iSchool Course: Sports Analytics
Published: November 14, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
As part of the iSchool, I have learned just how impactful and varied the information science field can be. This spring, the iSchool will unveil a new Sports Analytics course in the Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Data Analytics degree program.
Attending My First Small Conference
Published: October 12, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
At the beginning of this August, I was able to attend the 2023 Zine Librarian unConference, a conference for zine librarians and zine library workers, which is a specialized subset of librarianship. I was excited to represent the iSchool at this conference, meet new librarians in the field, and learn more about how zines can support librarianship.
Things I Have Learned Working at a Public Library
Published: July 8, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
Last November, I was offered a part-time position at New Orleans Public Library (NOPL) as a Library Assistant, and I’d like to share my experience. Though I plan on being an academic librarian, I understood any practical library experience would be beneficial to my education and career goals.
Completing My First Year at the iSchool
Published: June 22, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
As I wrap up my first year at the iSchool, I have been reflecting on my graduate school journey and impending career as a librarian. There have been many changes in my life since I started school and it’s been a very busy year. I have been able to partake in many new experiences that I only recently have had the time to truly reflect on and appreciate. I’d like to share my thoughts of my first year at the iSchool with you.
Attending ACRL 2023 – Part 2
Published: April 26, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
Last month, I attended the ALA’s ACRL 2023 Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With the assistance of the SJSU travel scholarship for current students, I was able to go to the conference with very little cost to me. In my previous blog, I discussed my preparation for the conference. Today, I’d like to share with you how dynamic this experience was for me.
Women’s History Month
iSchool Presents EDI Online Symposium March 22
Published: March 9, 2023 by Eori Tokunaga
Please join the SJSU iSchool in celebrating Women’s History Month 2023 as we honor the achievements of Women in Information!
My First Library Symposium
Published: March 4, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
This past January I was able to attend the Association of Research Libraries Leadership Symposium for Kaleidoscope Scholars in Vancouver, BC. This was the first event I attended as an MLIS graduate student and had such an exhilarating time interacting with my cohort and future librarian colleagues in a professional capacity.
Consider a Dynamic Career in Informatics
Published: May 10, 2022 by Hilary Meehan
The SJSU iSchool offers three fully online, master’s-level degree options: the MLIS program, the MARA program and the MS in Informatics. Today, we will explore the cutting edge field of informatics and the exciting career opportunities it offers for iSchool students.
Community Impact: Call for Conference Posters
Published: March 17, 2022 by Hilary Meehan
The SJSU iSchool invites graduate students to submit posters for presentation at the upcoming California Library Association (CLA) and American Library Association (ALA) conferences. Posters should represent the student’s research projects, innovations and/or internship experiences as related to a specific information community.
MLIS Career Pathways: A Look at Academic Librarianship
Published: November 17, 2021 by Leslie Parry
Last month the iSchool Student Services team hosted a new Lunch and Learn Workshop as part of their ongoing series on MLIS pathways. The topic was academic librarianship and featured School of Information faculty members Dr. Deborah Hicks, Alison Johnson and Dr. Linda Main. What makes this pathway unique? As Taryn Reiner, student support specialist, explains, “Academic libraries are found in institutions of higher education – in community colleges, private colleges, major universities or specialized research institutes.” They employ about 26,000 professional librarians and account for 48 percent of the positions analyzed in the most recent MLIS Skills at Work report. The roles and responsibilities of academic librarians are diverse; they include instruction, research support, project management, technical services, reference and outreach. Over the course of the hour-long program, the panel shared their thoughts on the classes, skillsets and experiences that can best prepare students for work in this field.
MLIS Career Pathways: A Look at Information Intermediation and Instruction
Published: August 12, 2021 by Leslie Parry
If you haven’t yet attended a session, be sure to check out the iSchool Student Services Lunch and Learn webinar series. These virtual chats, held live over Zoom, give students a chance to interact with the Student Services team, ask the faculty burning questions, and learn more about opportunities for success at the San José State University School of Information. Of particular note are the webinars exploring different MLIS career pathways. Most recently the featured pathway was Information Intermediation and Instruction. Panelists included faculty members Dr. José Aguiñaga, Dr. Lili Luo, and Director of Online Learning Bethany Winslow. As Sheila Gurtu, the webcast host and Student Outreach Specialist, explains, this pathway prepares students for careers in reference services, instructional design and related information settings. Among the topics discussed were essential skills, recommended coursework and potential professions. Read on for highlights from this excellent discussion.
Building Your Professional Network as an iSchool Student
Published: July 27, 2021 by Leslie Parry
Kim Dority, the iSchool Student and Alumni Career Advisor, recently gave an insightful presentation about an essential (if occasionally dreaded) topic: “How to Build Your Professional Network (Without Feeling Weird About It).” To some people, the idea of networking can be exciting and invigorating; to others, awkward and stressful. No matter if you’re an extrovert or an introvert, a graduate student or a seasoned librarian, network-building is core to the profession. But don’t let your anxiety get the better of you. As Dority describes, it’s not about schmoozing or having transactional, superficial relationships; it is about growth, connection, and helping your colleagues and friends. “Building a valuable, sustainable network is a long-term play that involves creating genuine relationships of mutual benefit,” she says.