Spring semester at the iSchool brings new ways to get involved in the program and deepen your experience as a graduate student. We’re all busy with our classes, and many of us are juggling other responsibilities on the side, but it never hurts to see what’s out there that we may have been interested in but haven’t gotten around to pursuing yet. Maybe you already know exactly what you want to do with your iSchool degree, or maybe you’re still figuring out what direction you want your future to take. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, the iSchool community is here to support you as you become the kind of information professional you want to be.

Student Groups

The iSchool is home to a wide range of student groups that reflect the many different paths within information studies. These groups offer a way to connect with peers who share your interests, whether that’s libraries, archives, technology, or something else entirely. Joining a student group doesn’t have to be a huge commitment. Even attending one meeting or event can give you a better sense of what that community is like and whether it’s something you want to be more involved in.

• American Library Association Student Chapter (ALASC): Is a space which fosters the use of the American Library Association’s publications, scholarships and conferences while creating a community encouraging students to share their creativity, skills and experience. 
• Association for Information Science & Technology Student Chapter (ASIS&T): provides educational programming, networking & other enriching opportunities for information science and technology students while fostering a fun and collaborative community. 
• Society of American Archivists Student Chapter (SAASC): pronounced “sassy”, SAASC strives to promote archival interests in our academic community, to provide a platform for discussing archival issues, and to engage students in ​professional activities in order to enhance career development. MLIS and MARA students are encouraged to join
  • For SAA members, scholarships are available to help students attend the July 2026 SAA conference in New Orleans, LA. Applications close 02/28/2026.
• First Generation Student Group (FGSG): creates space for students navigating higher education without family members who have been through it. Groups like this can provide a sense of community and shared understanding that makes the grad school experience feel less isolating. 

Publishing Your Work

Having your research published is an excellent way to stand out professionally and contribute to the field in a meaningful way. With the iSchool continuing to be a popular choice for future information professionals, publishing your work during your academic career is a real accomplishment and something you can carry with you into the job market.

• Student Research Journal is a peer-reviewed, open-access publication that accepts submissions of research manuscripts, academic book reviews, and evidence summaries covering theory, policy, application, or practice in library and information science. It’s a great opportunity to turn a strong class paper or research project into something that reaches a wider audience.

If writing isn’t your main focus, you can also get involved by joining the journal’s editorial team, which helps manage submissions and runs a Student Resource Blog. Being part of the editorial side gives you insight into how academic publishing works and helps build valuable skills in reviewing, editing, and communication.

Classroom Engagement

One of the easiest and most meaningful ways to get involved at the iSchool starts right inside your classes. 

• Discussion posts are a constant part of the workload for most of us, but they’re one of the main ways students connect in an online environment. Taking the time to read through your classmates’ submissions and responding to those that stick out to you helps you learn more about your peers and their interpretation of the coursework.
• Office hours are another underrated resource. Even a short visit can help you build a relationship with your professor, get clarification on assignments, or talk through ideas for projects and research. Those connections can become especially valuable later when you need feedback, references, or guidance about next steps in your academic or professional path.
• Group projects also offer a chance to get to know your classmates beyond just their discussion board posts. Everyone has a different level of capacity, so while some people may not be able to have time for more than just scheduled Zoom meetings to work, it’s still a good time to connect more with your peers.

iSchool Events

If reading through all of this feels a little overwhelming, that’s okay. There are also plenty of low-commitment ways to get involved, especially through iSchool-sponsored events. By checking your Canvas Calendar, you’ll find a wide range of events that students are encouraged to attend, provided they fit their schedules. These events are a great way to explore different aspects of the iSchool without a long-term commitment. Most are online, easy to join, and usually about an hour long, covering everything from casual discussions to program Q&As.

Takeaways on Getting Involved

Trust me, I’d be the first to say that simply keeping up with classwork is already a big accomplishment. Having too much on your plate to join every group or event doesn’t mean you won’t have an enriching experience in the program—these opportunities are just meant to supplement what you’re already doing. 

Making time for things that genuinely interest you can open up new connections, ideas, and possibilities you might not find elsewhere, and help you dig deeper into the world of information studies. Whether it’s dropping into an iSchool event once or twice a month or working toward getting your research published, there are so many ways to get involved.

What’s one new thing you think you’ll try this semester?