Published: August 5, 2015 by Allison Randall Gatt

From time to time, iSchool faculty and staff receive thoughtful, unsolicited letters from alumni and current students who want to share their thoughts about the program and how it has affected their lives and careers. We love getting these letters, and we learn a lot from them.

The following letter to iSchool Director Dr. Sandra Hirsh is from alumna Remy Timbrook, who received her MLIS in May 2013. Timbrook currently works for the Oakland Public Library system as a teen librarian and is still, as she says, “learning so much!” She wrote this letter to Hirsh specifically to express her gratitude for an exclusively online program that allowed her to continue working full-time and avoid commute costs. We are excited to be able to share this example of what Timbrook calls “a real live working student,” and we hope that you’ll be encouraged and inspired by her story.

Dear Dr. Hirsh,

I live in Oakland, and I don’t have a car. I also have been working in San Francisco, outside of the LIS profession. Without a virtual classroom, I would not have been able to attend any library school. The logistics would have made it impossible. However, because of the School of Information’s fully online model, I was able to complete my degree—along with two virtual internships—while continuing to support my family. Working full-time as well as attending school for those two years often made for late nights and busy weekends, but I am grateful for the opportunity.

I’d like to share that I recently accepted a full-time, permanent position with the Oakland Public Library. Of course I’m very excited! It was a long hiring process (I put in my application in August of 2013!), and I know that many of my cohorts have faced, or are facing, similar circumstances with their LIS job prospects. If prospective students need an anecdote from a real live working student, I hope you’ll share my good news. I appreciate the work you’re doing for SJSU and for students and alumni like me.

Best,
Remy Timbrook

For related posts, check out:
Virtual Convocation 2015 and the iSchool’s Amazing Graduates

The Many Ways an Online Program Saves You Money

Letters to the iSchool: From Student Basia Delawska-Elliot

Letters to the iSchool: From Alumna Julie Wong

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