Unexpected Benefits Of An MLIS Degree
Published: August 13, 2018 by Priscilla Ameneyro
From backyard projects to beefing up your resume, we’re going to talk about the less conventional benefits of your future degree. I hope this blog post gives you the confidence to transfer the skills you develop in school to your next job application or venture into uncharted territory. At the very least, this article should make you proud of your personal development every day you work towards your MLIS or MARA degree.
Everyday Applications
I’d like you to consider how being an expert in research and data
can apply to anything you do. In recent years, I’ve transitioned
to a primarily DIY lifestyle. Not because I don’t see value in
hiring experts but because I always question the need for one
when presented with a problem or project. If I can do it myself,
I’ll most likely save money and gain valuable knowledge and
experience at the same time.
Transferable Skills
Think about the transferable
skills this degree provides and how you can position
yourself as an ideal candidate for careers that aren’t in
libraries or schools. Here are some
less conventional jobs I discovered by doing a quick web
search that mention LIS degree preferred or required: Taxonomy
Functional Consultant, Associate Editor, Digital History
Project Manager, Web Developer/Designer and Chief Curator. Even
for jobs that don’t mention LIS education, you can surprise
them with your superpowers. I also found that some of what I
was learning in school could be applied to my previous job,
even though I wasn’t working in the field. With an MLIS or MARA
degree under your belt, you can bring a unique perspective and
set of skills to any role. Check out the latest MLIS Skills
at Work report highlighting the skills most in demand
by employers, that are relevant across all types of jobs.
Visit Cool Places
Now onto my favorite unexpected benefit:
visiting cool places. I’ve toured the California
State Archives and I was lucky enough to intern at the
Crocker Art
Museum and the San Francisco Museum of Modern
Art. All these experiences were made possible through my
schooling. This summer, several SLASC members toured
Disney’s Animation Research Library (look out for an
upcoming blog post for more details). There’s something magical
and inspiring about being surrounded by books and interesting
artifacts in a beautiful building.
There have been many other surprises on the journey (including rethinking how I save and store my personal files) and I’d love to hear about what unexpected benefits of being a library science student you’ve found. Leave a comment below to share your personal revelations, travel stories or career accomplishments.
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