iStudent Blog: Professional Development

Overview

iStudent Blog: Professional Development

iStudent Blog

Get a Jump-Start With Summer Opportunities

Published: May 26, 2021 by Leslie Parry

The end of the semester is here! For months we’ve been rearranging our lives and work around the pandemic, keeping up with our studies, and waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel. Now it’s time to take a break and celebrate! For those who are looking to keep up momentum during the summer, there are plenty of ways to stay engaged. From summer classes to networking opportunities to simply getting organized, here are ideas for enhancing your iSchool experience over summer break.

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The Art of Self-Promotion

Published: March 31, 2021 by Leslie Parry

Networking and self-promotion can be challenging enough in a regular environment, but how do you excel at either during a pandemic? How can you make yourself indispensable during a time of unrelenting change? At a recent event hosted by the Special Libraries Association student chapter, School of Information alumna Tess McCarthy (MLIS ’12) explained how students can use this unprecedented time to their advantage. As a digital asset management systems librarian and self-described career transitionist, McCarthy shared her own professional trajectory, including the many ways she had to get creative in the COVID era. Here are her methods for positioning yourself well for professional advancement, even during quarantine.

iStudent Blog

10 Ways to Build Career Opportunities as a Student

Published: February 7, 2021 by Leslie Parry

Last semester the San José State University Special Libraries Association student chapter presented “Building Career Opportunities in Graduate School,” a program featuring Kim Dority, career advisor at the School of Information. Dority, who is also the founder and president of Dority & Associates, an information strategy and content development company, gave a generous and insightful presentation about the ways in which iSchool students can start preparing for their future professions now. From keeping a journal to engaging professionals to practicing small talk, she says even small actions can make a big difference. It takes some planning, initiative and resourcefulness, but maximizing your time in graduate school will pay off in the end. Below are Dority’s top 10 tips for building career opportunities as an iSchool student.

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Spotlight on: REFORMA Student & Alumni Group

Published: November 16, 2020 by Leslie Parry

The newest student group at the San José State University School of Information, REFORMA Student & Alumni Group, is only a few months old but already boasts a strong membership base, a busy event calendar and a vibrant presence in the iSchool community. The brainchild of Assistant Professor Dr. Michele Villagran, who serves as faculty advisor, the group seeks to connect students and graduates who are interested in working with Latinx and Spanish-speaking communities. Drawing on resources from the national REFORMA association as well as from local REFORMA chapters, the Student & Alumni Group is focused on building a supportive community and positioning students to be well-connected, culturally competent professionals upon graduation. MLIS student Rosa Rodriguez, who serves as president, highlights the group’s unique initiatives and opportunities.

iStudent Blog

Don’t Miss: The SJSU iSchool’s Diversity Webcast Series

Published: October 12, 2020 by Leslie Parry

The fantastic 2020 diversity webcast series continues its run through the fall. If you haven’t already, you can check out past episodes through the SJSU iSchool Podcast Feed via Apple Podcasts, SJSU iSchool YouTube Channel and iSchool On-Demand Webcasts Portal. Under the direction of Dr. Michele Villagran, Chair of the Diversity Committee for the SJSU School of Information, the eight-part series features a variety of speakers discussing equity, social justice, cultural competency and other issues as they relate to information service. 

iStudent Blog

Library Conferences Go Virtual

Published: September 16, 2020 by Havilah Joy-Steinman Bakken

Each incoming student at the iSchool at San José State University has the opportunity to join one professional association free of cost for one year. This perk of enrollment in the program offers returns in spades depending on the level of involvement each particular student chooses to dedicate to their chosen association. During my first semester in the MLIS program at the iSchool, I chose to join the American Library Association (ALA), and have remained a member since. Founded on October 6, 1876, during the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, ALA is a pillar of librarianship ethics and best practices and remains on the cutting edge of information technology. This has never been more true now during the time of the pandemic when ALA seamlessly moved their annual conference online.

iStudent Blog

Equip Yourself for a Successful Summer!

Published: June 12, 2020 by Havilah Joy-Steinman Bakken

Summer is here, and while it may look different from what we expect, this is an excellent time to get equipped for a fabulous library and information science career. Whether you’re just starting summer classes, getting geared up for the e-Portfolio or about to start classes in the fall, check out this roundup of virtual events and resources below to jump start, or continue to evolve, your experience in the library and information science profession! 

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Internet Me Is Doing Great by ALASC

Published: May 1, 2020 by Havilah Steinman

With the majority of people at home during the pandemic, social media has become even more pervasive in the way we interact, build community and job search. San José State University iSchool’s American Library Association Student Chapter (ALASC) recently hosted the live virtual webinar, Internet Me Is Doing Great, and the recording is now viewable on their YouTube channel. See below for highlights of this timely and informative event!

iStudent Blog

Free Library 2.0 Conference on March 10th

Published: March 1, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Conferences are paramount for information professionals to keep up with current trends, but they can also be costly and time-consuming. As a founding member of Library 2.0, the San José State University iSchool thinks outside the box to bring professional enrichment to not only their students and alum, but to librarians all over the world. The highly-attended mini-conference series, Library 2.019 Emerging Technology, offered attendees fantastic insight, and all of the content is available for free on the Library 2.0 website.

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Dr. Michael Stephens and the Power of Stories

Published: February 1, 2020 by Havilah Steinman

The Special Library Association Student Chapter is well known for facilitating engaging events for all those connected to San José State University’s iSchool. Last Fall, they had the opportunity to host Dr. Michael Stephens, who shared about his recent publication Wholehearted Librarianship: Finding Hope, Inspiration, and Balance. This is his second publication with the American Library Association and, whether you’re a brand new librarian or a veteran, the ideas and encouragement set out in his pages are sure to impact your daily experiences at work. The recording of the event can be viewed here.

iStudent Blog

Global Records Management for Aquariums and Zoos

Published: November 16, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Hello from the San José State University’s iSchool! One incredibly enriching part of the Masters of Archives and Records Administration (MARA) program are guest lectures, which introduce students to industry professionals several times a semester. Patricia Franks, MARA program coordinator and professor at the iSchool, recently shared “MARA graduates possess the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in a variety of industries. Positions are available in the pharmaceutical industry for those interested in developing, planning and implementing strategies to standardize the management of information contained within documents, computer applications, information systems, and/or other media.”

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MARA Student Laura Froelke’s Internship Launches New Career Insight

Published: October 28, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Internships are central to a well-rounded student experience in San José State University iSchool’s many programs. Because of the nature of an online program, internships are a key aspect of gaining important contacts in a student’s chosen field. This is so important, in fact, that all successful graduates of the Master of Archives and Records Administration program complete an internship or an equivalent. Laura Froelke, MARA student set to graduate spring 2020, recently completed an internship at the Oregon State Archives, leading to influential and exciting career opportunities.

iStudent Blog

Night at the Library Museum

Published: October 5, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Student life at San José State University’s iSchool is vibrant and thriving. The Special Library Association Student Chapter recently hosted an online event entitled Night at the Library Museum, where three museum professionals shared insight into this exciting niche of the library world, which are highlighted below. Two of those speakers are current students of the MLIS program here at SJSU!

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iSchool Director Dr. Hirsh Takes On Twitter

Published: September 4, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Dr. Hirsh always looks for new and exciting ways to engage iSchool students and information professionals to stay on the cutting edge of the industry. In addition to her bi-yearly virtual coffee chats, Dr. Hirsh recently participated in her first-ever Twitter chat, hosted by the International Federation of Library Associations Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (IFLA CPDWL) which supports continuing professional education in library and information science! 

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Pioneered by SJSU iSchool: Blockchain for the Information Professional

Published: July 24, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

San José State University’s iSchool Director Sandra Hirsh recently completed a grant-funded project with iSchool instructor Sue Alman to investigate practical applications of blockchain for libraries and education. An exciting outcome of this project, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is a book entitled Blockchain (Library Futures) by Hirsh and Alman which will be available soon.

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iSchool Explores Emerging Technology with Blockchain MOOC

Published: June 23, 2019 by guest blogger Greta Snyder

This spring 2019, SJSU iSchool offered a Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) on Blockchain & Decentralization for the Information Industries. Designed and led by Jason Griffey, a prominent advocate for blockchain research in the information services field, this innovative MOOC was made possible thanks to a grant secured by iSchool Director Dr. Sandra Hirsh and iSchool Lecturer Dr. Sue Alman from Institute of Museum and Library Services to further research into the applicability of blockchain to information services.

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Sign Up Today for the Library 2.0 Free Virtual Conference on Open Data

Published: June 4, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Library 2.0 has partnered with the iSchool to open up professional training to current students, alumni and information professionals around the globe! Library 2.0 hosts regular webinars and several free conferences a year focusing on different topics of interest to library and information professionals. Tomorrow, Library 2.0 is excited explore the topic of Open Data

iStudent Blog

Government Agency Files in Focus

Published: July 1, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Earlier in the semester the Masters of Archives and Records Administration (MARA) program at the iSchool hosted a guest lecture entitled: It Takes a Village: A State Agency’s Implementation of an Electronic Document Management System. As archives and records are essential skills of any well-rounded information professional, I hope that regardless of what program you are enrolled in, this post contains helpful takeaways for your educational enrichment this summer!

iStudent Blog

Benefits of Getting Involved with the Student Research Journal

Published: April 24, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Earlier in the semester, managing editor of the Student Research Journal Rachel Greggs, hosted an event alongside the American Library Association Student Chapter about the incredible benefits of getting involved with the Student Research Journal. First and foremost, the SRJ offers a fantastic publishing opportunity. The peer-reviewed and double-blind journal is completely run by students under the guidance of faculty advisor, Dr. Anthony Bernier. SRJ currently accepts critical essays, evidence summaries and book reviews. Anyone from a North American or international institution is invited to submit, but submissions from iSchool students are especially encouraged because of the fantastic benefits students glean in the peer-reviewed process.