Published: April 7, 2015

If you’re looking for ways to become more involved in student life and boost your career potential at the same time, then joining a student group is an effective and fun way to do it.

The iSchool ASIS&T (Association for Information Science and Technology) student chapter is just one of many student groups that can help you connect with other students, build valuable career contacts, and help you shape your goals and skills as an information professional. Kate Dillon, iSchool ASIS&T chapter membership director, encourages students of all focuses to take a look at what the group has to offer. Dillon’s background is in database management, but even those interested in public librarianship have found advantages in being a part of this student group. “ASIS&T can appeal to those who may not fit into other student chapters because their focus is more technical and nontraditional, but can also benefit those that want to explore more technical aspects of traditional librarianship,” says Dillon.

On April 8, 2015 at 6 pm, the iSchool Student Chapter of ASIS&T will be hosting an open house to let you know a little bit more about the group. They’ll even have a raffle giveaway for a few free memberships, which takes the “I can’t afford it, I’m on a student budget,” excuse out of the equation. This event will be recorded too, so if you can’t make it, just check out the link at the bottom of this post.

They will also be hosting an informal get-together (online, but still just as chatty) that won’t be recorded but is a great opportunity to get to know people and exchange stories and information about experiences and courses at the iSchool. This preregistration social hour will be the Wednesday following the open house and be live on Collaborate on April 15, 2015, at 6 pm. This event happens prior to fall course enrollment and registration dates so that you can meet people who may have taken courses you’re interested in and can tell you a little bit more about their experience with the class. Besides helping you make decisions about courses and widening your social and business networking circles, they’ll also be giving away a free ASIS&T student membership at this meeting.

All meetings and events are open to the public, but as a member you have opportunities to participate in research presentations as well. Student groups are a great way to tap into career development events and networks, and when you are active in student groups you hone your communication, event planning and leadership skills. “It’s great experience, working with people and developing professional relationships—like an ongoing group project doing what you love,” says Dillon about being a part of ASIS&T. “You meet people socially and at a slightly different professional angle. There is a strong sense of community in our group.”

When you become a member of ASIS&T, you not only join the student community at the iSchool, but you become a part of your local chapter and have the ability to participate in a variety of special interest groups (SIGs) and attend or volunteer at conferences. “People at ASIS&T headquarters are also very accessible and supportive,” says Dillon. “There are lots of opportunities to be involved on that level, too.”
For even more information, check out this brief presentation.

ASIS&T Open House Wednesday, April 8, 2015, 6 pm
Participation link:
http://bit.ly/ASISTCollab
This presentation will be recorded and the recording will be accessible from the SJSU ASIS&T website: http://bit.ly/previousevent15

Preregistration Social Hour Wednesday, April 15, 2015, 6 pm
Participation link:
http://bit.ly/ASISTCollab
Please note that this event will not be recorded.

Individuals requiring real-time captioning or other accommodations for either event should contact Sue Alman at alman.sjsu@gmail.com as soon as possible.

Related content you should check out:
Our School’s ALA Chapter—Reasons to Check it Out

Highlights from the Latest New Student Orientation

Community Profile on Kate Dillon: On Cybersecurity and Being WISE

News item—Student Groups Promote Networking and Job Skills