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.
Introducing our new EDI student assistants!
Published: July 17, 2024 by Nicole Azof and Matsuko Friedland
Following in the footsteps of our inaugural EDI student assistant, Eori Tokunaga, we now welcome our new EDI student assistants: Nicole Azof and Matsuko Friedland.
Disability Pride Month 2024
Published: July 8, 2024 by Matsuko Friedland
Please join the SJSU iSchool in our first celebration of Disability Pride Month as we honor the achievements of our disabled community members.
Pride Month 2024
Published: July 8, 2024 by Matsuko Friedland
Please join the SJSU iSchool as we celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and more (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.
Symposium Recap of ‘Honoring the Past & Planning for the Future: Indigenous Perspectives on Library and Information Sciences’
Native American Heritage Month Symposium
Published: July 8, 2024 by Matsuko Friedland
As part of the national celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the San José State University (SJSU) iSchool hosted a free online symposium on November 3, 2023, titled “Honoring the Past & Planning for the Future: Indigenous Perspectives on Library and Information Sciences”. The symposium began with a welcome and land acknowledgement by Dr. Anthony Chow. Next, Dr. Tonia San Nicolas-Rocca introduced the keynote speakers, featuring Indigenous LIS leaders: Halena Kapuni-Reynolds, Associate Curator of Native Hawaiian History and Culture, National Museum of the American Indian; Jennifer Himmelreich, Senior Program Officer, Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS); and Richard Sneed, 28th Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
My Experience with e-Portfolio
Published: May 10, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
The e-Portfolio is the culmination of our experience at the iSchool and is often the most anticipated aspect of the program. I have asked recent graduates and alumni about their experiences with the e-port when networking and professors often provide feedback on assignments and professional work that could be used as e-Port evidence.
Starting Your Career After Graduation
Published: June 05, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
Every iSchool student’s goal is to get their dream job immediately after graduation, but finding the perfect position often takes a while. The job search can be time-consuming, confusing, and overwhelming. As I near my graduation, I am planning my post-iSchool life, including getting a library job, and would like to share what I learned to make the job search an easier process.
Interviewing With an Academic Library
Published: May 30, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
As an iSchool student, I have been in the academic librarianship career pathway with the intention of becoming a liaison librarian. I have repeatedly been told by colleagues that the academic library interview process is arduous, and as such have been anxious to interview. I recently got the opportunity to interview for two academic library positions and would like to share what I learned from these experiences.
Interview with new iSchool student group, AANHPI
Published: May 24, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
At the beginning of spring semester, the iSchool welcomed a new student group, the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) iSchool Student Group. In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I got a chance to email interview the AANHPI leadership team to learn more about their work.
Earth Day 2024
Published: April 21, 2024 by Nicole Azof
Please join the SJSU iSchool in celebrating Earth Day 2024 as we honor the achievements of librarians who have joined the global movement to preserve our world.
Interview with iSchool Alum, Eori Tokunaga
Published: April 28, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
For an online MLIS program, I was worried about feeling isolated. However, I have been fortunate to meet many fellow iSchool students, including Eori Tokunaga, who I met after I was hired to be the iSchool’s student blogger. Eori just graduated from the iSchool, and I chatted with her about her experience with the program.
Internships, Fellowships, & Residencies for Academic Librarianship
Published: June 9, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
For iSchool students, finding the right entry level position that fits your interests can be difficult. For those on the academic librarianship MLIS career pathway, internships, residencies and fellowships can be excellent professional development opportunities for iSchool students and early career librarians.
The Benefits of Mentorship for LIS Students
Published: April 22, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
At the beginning of my MLIS journey, I applied for many scholarship opportunities, including the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Kaleidoscope Program, which I was accepted into. The iSchool currently has five Kaleidoscope Program scholars, including David Castro, Blanca Garcia-Barron, sourav guha, Michelle Sosa, and myself.
Women’s History Month
iSchool Presents EDI Online Symposium March 27
Published: March 24, 2024 by Matsuko Friedland
Please join the SJSU iSchool in celebrating Women’s History Month 2024 as we honor the achievements of Women in Library Advocacy!
Guide to Successful Event Planning
Published: March 24, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
In a previous blog, I mentioned I am the current College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE) RSCA Advisory Committee assistant. In this role I helped organize the CPGE Online Student Conference.
Irish Heritage Month
Published: March 23, 2024 by Nicole Azof
Please join the SJSU iSchool as we celebrate Irish Heritage Month, the time where we observe both the hardships and achievements Irish immigrants faced since arriving in America in pursuit of better livelihoods.
ALA’s LibLearnX: Professional Experience and Networking
Published: February 14, 2024 by Jennifer Dawes
In January 2024, I attended ALA’s LibLearnX Conference in Baltimore, MD with financial assistance from the iSchool’s travel grant. Entering my final semester in spring 2024, it was a wonderful opportunity to attend my first professional conference in the library field while also presenting with Dr. Chow.
Student Engagement at the 2024 CPGE Online Student Conference
Published: February 11, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
Presenting at a conference is a great professional development opportunity but can be intimidating for those with minimal experience, like students. Student conferences are often limited to either the university or, on a smaller scale, a department within a university.
Symposium Recap of “Latinos: Contributing to the Fabric of the Nation”
Hispanic Heritage Month
Published: February 7, 2024 by Eori Tokunaga
As part of the national celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the San José State University iSchool hosted a free online symposium in collaboration with REFORMA titled “Latinos: Contributing to the Fabric of the Nation.” The symposium began with a warm welcome by Dr. Anthony Chow and keynote speaker Loida-Garcia Febo. Following the opening remarks, Dr. Chow introduced the panel of guest speakers, featuring leaders in the LIS field: Supervising Librarian at New York Public Library Elisa Garcia, Academic Engagement Librarian at University of Massachusetts Isabel Espinal, and 2023-2024 REFORMA National President David Lopez.
Conference Presentation Insight: Tips & Pointers Part 2
Published: February 6, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor
This past fall semester was an extremely busy time for me. Not only was I working part time and taking a full course load, I also presented at two conferences! For those unaware, presenting at a conference takes a lot of preparation and careful planning.
SJSU Designates February 19 as Day of Remembrance of Japanese American Internment in WWII
Published: February 3, 2024 by Matsuko Friedland and Nicole Azof
The SJSU iSchool is proud to share that SJSU President Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson has issued a Presidential Directive permanently designating “February 19 as a Day of Remembrance for the harm done to Americans of Japanese descent who were forcibly detained, incarcerated and stripped of their possessions under the misguided sense that they posed a security risk during World War II”. On February 19th, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, authorizing the U.S. Army to forcefully remove Japanese Americans from their homes and jobs. This greatly impacted the lives of Asian communities everywhere, including Japanese American employees and students processing their own community members and students abandoning their studies at San Jose State College. Prejudice and hysteria played key roles in the initiation of this order.