iStudent Blog

Overview

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.

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iStudent Blog

VCARA Opens the Door to VR in Education

Published: May 30, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

The Virtual Center for Archives and Records Administration recently hosted their 10th annual conference in Second Life, entitled “Sands of Time Looking Back to Move Forward.” VCARA isn’t just for iSchool students, and openly welcomes all information professionals. VCARA is a great virtual community for individuals particularly interested in information science and education. The conference is an excellent example of this inclusivity, as their two keynote speakers, Dr. Valerie Hill and Daniel Dyboski-Bryant, shed light on this burgeoning new world.

iStudent Blog

A Snapshot of Corporate Archives

Published: May 15, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

What does Citi Center, Levi Strauss & Co., Vanguard, Cargill, Carhartt Inc., IBM and The Chautauqua Institution have in common? They all have corporate archives! The Society of American Archivists Student Chapter (SAASC) hosted a fantastic event where archival professionals offered insight into their industry. For the sake of brevity, this post will focus on Citi Center, Levi Strauss & Co. and Carhartt Inc., but keep a look out for the article representing the other presenters on our Medium page later this year. Hosted by Sarah Thornton, iSchool student and chair of the SAASC, this invaluable event opened up the archival world to students at the iSchool.

iStudent Blog

New Tool: MLIS Career Pathways Course Intersection

Published: May 5, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Students at the San José State University School of Information have an excellent Advising Toolkit available to them when choosing electives to take during their program. A core part of this Advising Toolkit for students in the Master’s of Library and Information Science program are the 14 Career Pathways, ranging from Data Science to Special Librarianship. Another exciting tool within the Advising Toolkit has just been introduced called the MLIS Career Pathways Course Intersection. This tool allows students to find classes that intersect with two or more Career Pathways at once.

iStudent Blog

Benefits of Getting Involved with the Student Research Journal

Published: April 24, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Earlier in the semester, managing editor of the Student Research Journal Rachel Greggs, hosted an event alongside the American Library Association Student Chapter about the incredible benefits of getting involved with the Student Research Journal. First and foremost, the SRJ offers a fantastic publishing opportunity. The peer-reviewed and double-blind journal is completely run by students under the guidance of faculty advisor, Dr. Anthony Bernier. SRJ currently accepts critical essays, evidence summaries and book reviews. Anyone from a North American or international institution is invited to submit, but submissions from iSchool students are especially encouraged because of the fantastic benefits students glean in the peer-reviewed process.

iStudent Blog

Peer Mentorship: An Opportunity to Strengthen Information and Communication Skills

Published: April 16, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Students at the iSchool in the Master’s in Library and Information Science and Post-Master’s Certificate programs have excellent classes to choose from. Every new student begins with INFO 203 Online Learning at the beginning of their program to become acclimated to the rigorous academic expectations of their work, as well as the technology used in the program. Peer mentors are a pivotal part of the INFO 203 process, and Debbie Faires, director of online learning, has just opened up the application for peer mentors in the Fall 2019 semester! This past semester, I had the opportunity to work alongside several other INFO 203 peer mentors. In this post, I share some of their insight about how the mentorship experience benefited them.

iStudent Blog

Virtual Coffee Chat with Director Dr. Hirsh

Published: April 5, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Once a semester iSchool Director Dr. Sandra Hirsh takes time out of her busy schedule to chat with students. She updates the student community about the school, answers questions and also asks attending students questions of her own. As a new student, this chat offers a great way to get acclimated on what the school is about, and also to get important questions answered! I have shared highlights with you below, and the recording has been distributed internally, so check your email inboxes for that. 

iStudent Blog

Career Coaching Hour with Jill Klees

Published: March 14, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Do you have a burning career development question you haven’t been able to get an answer to? Do you wish you could ask our iSchool Student and Alumni Career Consultant Jill Klees these questions live and “in person”? Well, in addition to hosting monthly Career Workshops, Klees has begun a new tradition of Career Coaching Office Hour.

iStudent Blog

ALA Annual Conference Insights with ALASC and Leigh Milligan

Published: March 7, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

The American Library Association’s Student Chapter here at the iSchool hosted a wonderful event about the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference earlier this week. The conference, which will take place from June 20 to June 25 in Washington, DC is an excellent opportunity for students to make new connections, broaden their perspective and above all have fun with other like minded librarianship professionals! 

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Day in the Life of iSchool Student – Amy Wallace

Published: February 19, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Our next Day in the Life series installment is here! Meet Amy Wallace, soon-to-be MLIS iSchool graduate! She is the head librarian at Bethany Christian Schools and hails from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Some of her favorite classes she completed while studying at the iSchool include Interpersonal Communication Skills, Marketing of Information Products and Reference Information Services. Wallace shared, “These classes really helped me to expand my idea of what it takes to be a librarian, as well as grow my confidence in my work. I know that these courses, specifically, have done a great deal to prepare me for my career.”

iStudent Blog

Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grants

Published: February 13, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Financial aid and the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, can seem overwhelming to students initially embarking on their journey to higher education. March 2, 2019, is the Priority Application Submission Deadline, and while it is still a few weeks away, it’s important to get geared up now. 

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iSchool Best Practices with Vicki Steiner

Published: February 5, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

The first few weeks of the semester are crucial to gear up for what’s ahead in your classes. Whether you’re a new student taking one core class or a continuing student with a couple semesters under your belt, these words of wisdom from Vicki Steiner are sure to help you get prepared! Steiner is not just a faculty advisor and lecturer here at the iSchool, she is also an alumni and completed her MLIS in 2010! I have shared our conversation regarding iSchool best practices with you below. 

iStudent Blog

Tips for iSchool Success from New Student Orientation

Published: January 22, 2019 by Havilah Steinman

Can you believe the new semester begins on January 24th? On January 14th, over 80 students gathered to participate in a New Student Orientation and prepare for the start of classes. A full scope of material was presented, which was helpful for incoming students as well as for all of us students continuing our program. Here I share some highlights I gleaned from the orientation that I hope will be useful to you!

iStudent Blog

Star Blog Posts of 2017 and 2018

Published: December 3, 2018 by Priscilla Ameneyro

I thought it would be fun to look back at all the articles I wrote as the lead writer for the iStudent Blog over the last year or so and share my favorites with you. I’ve had the opportunity to interview students, alumni and faculty and write about topics ranging from student loans to setting goals. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my articles and found them helpful too.