iStudent Blog: iSchool 101
Making the Most of Spring Recess
Published: March 31, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
We’re officially more than halfway through the semester, and if you’re anything like me, you might be surprised by how fast (and somehow also slow?) that milestone arrived. Whether you’re feeling ahead of the game, barely hanging on or somewhere in between, spring recess offers us something precious: time.
From Education to Libraries: Jackie’s Journey of Career Transition and Balance
Published: February 11, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
Making a career change can be stressful enough, but working on your second master’s degree while balancing a full-time job really ups the pressure! iSchool student Jackie Roussin is meeting the challenge with determination and enthusiasm. Jackie, a former educator, made the leap into librarianship in 2022 and now works as a children’s programming librarian while pursuing her MLIS degree.
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.
New Year, New Habits: Streamlining Your iSchool Life in 2025
Published: January 7, 2025 by Gabe Farmer
Balancing Life, Work and School – Spotlighting Corrine’s Journey
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.
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
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!
A Witch’s Guide to Online Learning: Success Tips for iSchool Students
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.
Interview with iSchool Alum, Eori Tokunaga
Published: April 28, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
For an online MLIS program, I was worried about feeling isolated. However, I have been fortunate to meet many fellow iSchool students, including Eori Tokunaga, who I met after I was hired to be the iSchool’s student blogger. Eori just graduated from the iSchool, and I chatted with her about her experience with the program.
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.
Working on Research Projects at the iSchool
Published: October 24, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
There are many benefits to attending the iSchool, and I have been fortunate to take advantage of a few, including being awarded a travel grant and being the iSchool’s student blogger. One of my most recent opportunities has been taking part in a Special Studies course with iSchool Director Dr. Chow, INFO 298 – Native American Early Literacy.
Tips for Scholarship Applications
Published: July 23, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
As a new iSchool student, one of my worries about attending graduate school is finances. Like so many others, I am a non-traditional student and returned to school after a hiatus and had limited funding put aside for school.
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.
Sharing Insight Into the iSchool Advising Process
Published: May 4, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
As the spring semester ends, iSchool students are planning for future semesters by course planning, applying for internships, and updating e-portfolios. Part of that process should also entail meeting with an academic advisor.
Attending ACRL 2023 – Part 1
Published: April 16, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
At the beginning of the year, I made a plan to attend as many conferences as I could while still an iSchool student. At the beginning of the spring semester, I applied for SJSU’s travel scholarship for current students to attend the ALA’s ACRL 2023 Conference. In a matter of days, I was notified my scholarship was approved and I could begin planning my trip to Pittsburgh, PA, where this year’s bi-annual conference was held.
Maximizing Group Work While at the iSchool
Published: April 6, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
One facet of the iSchool and our future career as librarians is working with others. Though group work can be very enjoyable and rewarding, it is also very easy to fall into traps that can be detrimental to a group’s success. I’d like to share some tips and strategies for effective online group work that I’ve gained from my past experience as a volunteer and as a project leader for various jobs.
Q & A with the iSchool’s First Generation Student Group
Published: February 20, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
As a first-generation student, I found grad school to be tricky to navigate, even at the iSchool. However, I found the SJSU iSchool’s First Generation Student Group and received support in my first year. Formed in 2017, the First Gen Student Group aims to help MLIS students network and build bonds to help them succeed. I chatted with the group’s Chair, Laura Garand, and the group’s Blog Editor, Samantha Harteau, about the group, its mission and goals.
Building Relationships and Community at the iSchool
Published: February 13, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
Hello, fellow iSchool students! I hope the start of the spring semester is going well for all. For both new and returning students, building an online community is often a concern. Having community while in school not only enriches your social experience but can help you perform better academically and foster connections with future professional peers. I’d like to share some tips and advice for doing so while at the iSchool.
iSchool Student Blogger’s Productivity Tips for Winter Break
Published: January 9, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
We did it! After completing the fall semester, we can now relax and take a much-needed break. Now is a great idea to start planning ahead for the remainder of your time at iSchool.
Self-Care Tips to Succeed During Finals Week
Published: November 27, 2022 by Kesheena Doctor
One of the most hectic times of a student’s life is finals week. As an iSchool student in a graduate program, I have many responsibilities outside of school that I am responsible for, as I’m sure you do as well.
Successful Strategies for Class Registration
Published: November 16, 2022 by Kesheena Doctor
One of the most fraughtful times of a student’s academic life is registering for the next semester. You might not be sure of what classes to take, what the course load will be like, or if you’ll like the professor.