iStudent Blog
iStudent Blog
Students in all of our programs, as well as applicants, will find the iStudent Blog a gold mine. Written by a current student, this blog provides important information and resources and useful advice, including posts about courses, career pathways, online learning, time management, student groups, conferences, and financial aid.
Completing My First Year at the iSchool
Published: June 22, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
As I wrap up my first year at the iSchool, I have been reflecting on my graduate school journey and impending career as a librarian. There have been many changes in my life since I started school and it’s been a very busy year. I have been able to partake in many new experiences that I only recently have had the time to truly reflect on and appreciate. I’d like to share my thoughts of my first year at the iSchool with you.
Presenting, Learning, Networking at CLA Annual Conference
Travel Grant Makes it all Possible
Published: June 22, 2023 by Lauren Bauer
We are told as students to practice producing original research and to hone our public speaking skills now, while we’re in school…and the SJSU iSchool student reception and poster presentation was a great venue to explore both skills!
Professional Conferences Present Excellent Opportunities to ‘Cut Your Teeth’
Published: June 20, 2023 by Emily Espanol
This June, I attended the California Library
Association’s Annual Conference in Sacramento, California, with
the assistance of the SJSU travel grant for current students. As
a member of the conference’s social media subcommittee and a
co-presenter to iSchool Director Anthony Chow, my attendance was
extremely important. In exchange for two hours of volunteering at
the iSchool’s exhibit booth, I was granted the funds to
completely offset the cost of the conference and have an
excellent time networking and learning alongside other
librarians!
California Library Association Conference Opens Door to Possibilities
Published: June 14, 2023 by Shannon Broden
As someone who came into studying
library science to pivot from another career field, I did not
have a lot of opportunity to be exposed to librarianship outside
of my coursework. Events unfolded in my life that made me look at
what options might be available to me, and I found out about
SJSU’s travel grants for current students. With the approval
deadline fast approaching, I applied for and quickly gained
approval to attend the California Library Conference in
Sacramento, California from June 1st through
3rd, 2023. At about the same time, I found out that
the iSchool would be having a reception where students have the
opportunity to present posters of work and research they have
done during the academic year; once I knew I was approved to go
to Sacramento, I also signed up for a poster presentation
opportunity.
Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Librarianship in Tough Times
iSchool Presents Online Symposium July 5
Published: June 12, 2023 by Eori Tokunaga
Please join the SJSU iSchool and our keynote speaker, Deputy County Librarian Deb Sica, as we celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) librarians and librarianship. This month’s symposium will feature a diverse array of panelists, who bring their expertise in various aspects of the LIS field.
Juneteenth Celebrates Freedom!
iSchool Presents Online Symposium June 20
Published: May 29, 2023 by Eori Tokunaga
Please join the SJSU iSchool as we celebrate Juneteenth in collaboration with Professional Storyteller Binnie Tate Wilkin and Poet Laureate of Clark County, Nevada (2017 – 2019) Vogue M. Robinson. The event will not only feature stories and poems by our keynote speakers but will also include student panelists as part of the conversation.
Fulfilling My Mission to Attend Conferences
Travel Grant Provides 'Incredible Opportunities' for Students to Build Skills and Network
Published: May 23, 2023 by Nanci Dela Cruz Aguayo
Since I started library school, I’ve made it my mission to attend conferences where I can network and learn information that will make me more appealing when I graduate. In my current job in an academic library, travel funds are limited only for librarians; thus, I was thrilled to find out about SJSU’s travel grants for current students. Within a couple of days, they approved my request, and I was able to start the process of traveling to Ex Libris Users of North America (ELUNA) Conference in Los Angeles.
Women Leading the Way: Celebrating Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month Symposium
Published: May 18, 2023 by Eori Tokunaga
As part of the national celebration of Women’s History Month, the San José State University iSchool hosted a free online symposium on March 22nd, 2023, titled “Women in Information: A Celebration of Women’s History Month.” The symposium opened up with a brief historical overview of Women’s History Month by Dr. Anthony Chow, who introduced the two keynote speakers: Dr. Sandra Hirsh and Dr. Sanda Erdelez. The symposium also featured a panel discussion with speakers Dr. Rong Tang, Deb Seys, Sara Jones and SJSU iSchool Alumni Tiffany Duck.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
iSchool Presents Online Symposium May 26
Published: May 5, 2023 by Eori Tokunaga
Please join the SJSU iSchool in celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month as we talk about the barriers and challenges that AAPI women library leaders face, the role of self-care, and how to work towards solidarity in BIPOC communities at large.
Sharing Insight Into the iSchool Advising Process
Published: May 4, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
As the spring semester ends, iSchool students are planning for future semesters by course planning, applying for internships, and updating e-portfolios. Part of that process should also entail meeting with an academic advisor.
Black History Month: Making a Successful Entry into the Profession
Black History Month Symposium
Published: May 1, 2023 by Eori Tokunaga
In honor of Black History Month, the San José State University iSchool hosted a free online symposium on February 23rd, 2023, titled “A Celebration of Black History Month: Equity in Libraries, 2023 and Beyond.” The symposium featured moderator Wanda Brown and keynote speaker Elaina Norlin. The symposium also hosted a panel discussion with Michael Crumpton, Kelvin Watson, Dominique Dozier, Binnie Wilkin, and Dr. Stephanie Brasley.
Attending ACRL 2023 – Part 2
Published: April 26, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
Last month, I attended the ALA’s ACRL 2023 Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With the assistance of the SJSU travel scholarship for current students, I was able to go to the conference with very little cost to me. In my previous blog, I discussed my preparation for the conference. Today, I’d like to share with you how dynamic this experience was for me.
Attending ACRL 2023 – Part 1
Published: April 16, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
At the beginning of the year, I made a plan to attend as many conferences as I could while still an iSchool student. At the beginning of the spring semester, I applied for SJSU’s travel scholarship for current students to attend the ALA’s ACRL 2023 Conference. In a matter of days, I was notified my scholarship was approved and I could begin planning my trip to Pittsburgh, PA, where this year’s bi-annual conference was held.
Maximizing Group Work While at the iSchool
Published: April 6, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
One facet of the iSchool and our future career as librarians is working with others. Though group work can be very enjoyable and rewarding, it is also very easy to fall into traps that can be detrimental to a group’s success. I’d like to share some tips and strategies for effective online group work that I’ve gained from my past experience as a volunteer and as a project leader for various jobs.
Deaf Culture and History
iSchool Presents EDI Online Symposium April 13
Published: April 4, 2023 by Eori Tokunaga
Please join the SJSU iSchool in celebrating National Deaf History Month 2023 as we honor the achievements of our d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing community members.
Ukrainian Libraries During the Wartime: A Year in Review
iSchool Presents EDI Online Symposium April 5
Published: March 23, 2023 by Eori Tokunaga
The SJSU iSchool will be hosting a free online symposium on Ukrainian libraries, which will include topics such as the development of the first National Digital Library of Ukraine, the survey of the state of public libraries in Ukraine, the work of Cherkasy Regional Libraries network in supporting victory and helping libraries to protect cultural heritage.
Women’s History Month
iSchool Presents EDI Online Symposium March 22
Published: March 9, 2023 by Eori Tokunaga
Please join the SJSU iSchool in celebrating Women’s History Month 2023 as we honor the achievements of Women in Information!
My First Library Symposium
Published: March 4, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
This past January I was able to attend the Association of Research Libraries Leadership Symposium for Kaleidoscope Scholars in Vancouver, BC. This was the first event I attended as an MLIS graduate student and had such an exhilarating time interacting with my cohort and future librarian colleagues in a professional capacity.
Q & A with the iSchool’s First Generation Student Group
Published: February 20, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
As a first-generation student, I found grad school to be tricky to navigate, even at the iSchool. However, I found the SJSU iSchool’s First Generation Student Group and received support in my first year. Formed in 2017, the First Gen Student Group aims to help MLIS students network and build bonds to help them succeed. I chatted with the group’s Chair, Laura Garand, and the group’s Blog Editor, Samantha Harteau, about the group, its mission and goals.
Building Relationships and Community at the iSchool
Published: February 13, 2023 by Kesheena Doctor
Hello, fellow iSchool students! I hope the start of the spring semester is going well for all. For both new and returning students, building an online community is often a concern. Having community while in school not only enriches your social experience but can help you perform better academically and foster connections with future professional peers. I’d like to share some tips and advice for doing so while at the iSchool.