iStudent Blog: Curriculum

iStudent Blog

My Experience with e-Portfolio

Published: May 10, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor

The e-Portfolio is the culmination of our experience at the iSchool and is often the most anticipated aspect of the program. I have asked recent graduates and alumni about their experiences with the e-port when networking and professors often provide feedback on assignments and professional work that could be used as e-Port evidence.

iStudent Blog

Scholarly Research: Publishing and Presenting

Published March 2, 2022 by Hilary Meehan

Hello, SJSU iStudent virtual community! I’m Hilary (she/her/hers), your new iStudent blogger. I look forward to addressing your school-related information needs effectively and comprehensively. Additionally, I encourage you to communicate to me your ideas, comments, questions, and concerns regarding the blog. You may use the comment box at the bottom of each blog post or contact me directly at hilary.meehan@sjsu.edu. I look forward to hearing from you and commit myself to respond to your messages. 

iStudent Blog

Eyes on the Prize: Charting Your Course Through School

Published: January 11, 2022 by Leslie Parry

The flexibility and efficiency of online education is what drew many of us to the San José State University School of Information in the first place. We have the ability to learn at our own pace, integrate our coursework into busy schedules, and choose from a multitude of superb classes. This autonomy, of course, also requires a certain amount of proactiveness and strategic thinking. That’s why planning ahead for a successful academic experience is so critical. Whether it’s choosing the right classes or preparing for graduation, the iSchool has dozens of resources to help you get organized and stay informed. I talked to Sheila Gurtu, student outreach specialist, as well as to recent graduates about everything from time management to e-Port prep. Here are some ideas to help you flourish.

iStudent Blog

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. 

iStudent Blog

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.

iStudent Blog

Earning a Digital Assets Certificate as a Master’s Student

Published: May 4, 2021 by Leslie Parry

If you’re enrolled in the MLIS or MARA program at San José State University, you have the opportunity to earn an Advanced Certificate in Strategic Management of Digital Assets and Services in addition to your master’s degree. Best of all, you can complete the coursework at no additional cost and without extending your time in graduate school. Three different certificate pathways are available, and the nine required units can all be drawn from Special Session electives.