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.
iSchool Life During the Pandemic
Published: April 7, 2020 by Havilah Steinman
While the iSchool at San José State University is a fully online school, COVID-19 has a drastic effect on the LIS community. Our classes are not affected, but everyone is dealing with the effects this global pandemic has on their respective communities and personal lives. Below is a roundup of resources that may be helpful in this difficult time.
MARA Student Vida Barone Shares Her Insight
Published: March 24, 2020 by Havilah Steinman
Wondering what current students of the Masters of Archives and Records Administration at San José State University’s iSchool are up to? Vida Barone has worked in local government for 25 years, and shared that she still learns something new every week. Barone founded her own company 13 years ago, City Clerk Management Services, Inc. She started at the MARA program in summer 2018, and made the decision to enroll so she could show her credibility in information governance.
Free Library 2.0 Conference on March 10th
Published: March 1, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
Conferences are paramount for information professionals to keep up with current trends, but they can also be costly and time-consuming. As a founding member of Library 2.0, the San José State University iSchool thinks outside the box to bring professional enrichment to not only their students and alum, but to librarians all over the world. The highly-attended mini-conference series, Library 2.019 Emerging Technology, offered attendees fantastic insight, and all of the content is available for free on the Library 2.0 website.
MLIS Semester Picks Up Steam
Published: February 16, 2020 by Havilah Steinman
The semester is picking up steam here at San José State University’s iSchool. Recently, the iSchool hosted an open house for the Masters of Library and Information Science program, which is accredited by the American Library Association. Whether you’re considering pursuing your MLIS, have just started your degree or are about to graduate, this event is full of important information to guide your academic and professional journey. I share some of these highlights below, and the recording of the open house is readily available here.
Dr. Michael Stephens and the Power of Stories
Published: February 1, 2020 by Havilah Steinman
The Special Library Association Student Chapter is well known for facilitating engaging events for all those connected to San José State University’s iSchool. Last Fall, they had the opportunity to host Dr. Michael Stephens, who shared about his recent publication Wholehearted Librarianship: Finding Hope, Inspiration, and Balance. This is his second publication with the American Library Association and, whether you’re a brand-new librarian or a veteran, the ideas and encouragement set out in his pages are sure to impact your daily experiences at work. The recording of the event can be viewed here.
Global Records Management for Aquariums and Zoos
Published: November 16, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
Hello from the San José State University’s iSchool! One incredibly enriching part of the Masters of Archives and Records Administration (MARA) program are guest lectures, which introduce students to industry professionals several times a semester. Patricia Franks, MARA program coordinator and professor at the iSchool, recently shared “MARA graduates possess the knowledge and skills to pursue careers in a variety of industries. Positions are available in the pharmaceutical industry for those interested in developing, planning and implementing strategies to standardize the management of information contained within documents, computer applications, information systems, and/or other media.”
MARA Student Laura Froelke’s Internship Launches New Career Insight
Published: October 28, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
Internships are central to a well-rounded student experience in San José State University iSchool’s many programs. Because of the nature of an online program, internships are a key aspect of gaining important contacts in a student’s chosen field. This is so important, in fact, that all successful graduates of the Master of Archives and Records Administration program complete an internship or an equivalent. Laura Froelke, MARA student set to graduate spring 2020, recently completed an internship at the Oregon State Archives, leading to influential and exciting career opportunities.
Day in the Life of iSchool Student – Kim Edwards
Published: October 15, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
[image:13258, image left]What does the original Captain Kirk, crocheting and San José State University’s iSchool Masters of Archives and Records Administration have in common? The illustrious Kim Edwards, of course! The latest to be featured in our Day in the Life Series, Edwards works full time as a Records and Scientific and Technical Information Manager at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, and this piece represents her inaugural involvement with student life!
Night at the Library Museum
Published: October 5, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
Student life at San José State University’s iSchool is vibrant and thriving. The Special Library Association Student Chapter recently hosted an online event entitled Night at the Library Museum, where three museum professionals shared insight into this exciting niche of the library world, which are highlighted below. Two of those speakers are current students of the MLIS program here at SJSU!
iSchool Director Dr. Hirsh Takes On Twitter
Published: September 4, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
Dr. Hirsh always looks for new and exciting ways to engage iSchool students and information professionals to stay on the cutting edge of the industry. In addition to her bi-yearly virtual coffee chats, Dr. Hirsh recently participated in her first-ever Twitter chat, hosted by the International Federation of Library Associations Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (IFLA CPDWL) which supports continuing professional education in library and information science!
Today’s Thriving Libraries – MiraCosta Community College
Published: August 28, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
Alumni of San José State University iSchool’s many programs are everywhere. In fact, you could run into a fellow grad without even realizing it! MiraCosta Community College has been a fixture of the City of Oceanside since 1934, and the 48,000 square feet Library and Information Hub was built in 2003. I had the opportunity to tour the library with alum Steven Deineh, instruction and student engagement librarian, and he offered a great snapshot of the resources available to the lucky students at the college.
Pioneered by SJSU iSchool: Blockchain for the Information Professional
Published: July 24, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
San José State University’s iSchool Director Sandra Hirsh recently completed a grant-funded project with iSchool instructor Sue Alman to investigate practical applications of blockchain for libraries and education. An exciting outcome of this project, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is a book entitled Blockchain (Library Futures) by Hirsh and Alman which will be available soon.
Day in the Life of iSchool Student – Rosa Conrad
Published: July 3, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
Hot off the presses, it’s the latest edition of our Day in the Life of an iSchool Student series! Today we’ll be introduced to Rosa Conrad, library services specialist at California State University San Marcos. With an expected graduation in spring 2021, Conrad juggles school, a full-time job, and being a mom with fantastic skill.
iSchool Explores Emerging Technology with Blockchain MOOC
Published: June 23, 2019 by guest blogger Greta Snyder
This spring 2019, SJSU iSchool offered a Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) on Blockchain & Decentralization for the Information Industries. Designed and led by Jason Griffey, a prominent advocate for blockchain research in the information services field, this innovative MOOC was made possible thanks to a grant secured by iSchool Director Dr. Sandra Hirsh and iSchool Lecturer Dr. Sue Alman from Institute of Museum and Library Services to further research into the applicability of blockchain to information services.
Information Skills Put to the Test: Am I Librarian?
Published: June 7, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
Earlier in the semester, the Special Library Association Student Chapter at the iSchool hosted an engaging event about information professionals working in the corporate world, instead of a traditional library. MLIS alumni who presented during the event are currently working at large companies, including Genetec, Oracle Inc. and Zovio. The Special Library Association Student Chapter also live tweeted this event, and the recording can be viewed on their website. I had the excellent opportunity to attend this event, and have shared some exciting insight below.
Sign Up Today for the Library 2.0 Free Virtual Conference on Open Data
Published: June 4, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
Library 2.0 has partnered with the iSchool to open up professional training to current students, alumni and information professionals around the globe! Library 2.0 hosts regular webinars and several free conferences a year focusing on different topics of interest to library and information professionals. Tomorrow, Library 2.0 is excited explore the topic of Open Data!
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.
Day in the Life of SRJ Managing Editor – Rachel Greggs
Published: May 9, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
Welcome to the next installment of our Day in the Life of an iSchool student series! This week’s post provides an inside look into the scholastic and professional achievements of the Student Research Journal (SRJ) Managing Editor Rachel Greggs.
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.
Student Organization Leadership Elections Open in April
Published: March 27, 2019 by Havilah Steinman
On Tuesday, March 19th, leadership from the majority of the student groups at the iSchool presented at Leaders Wanted: Why and How to Get Involved in Student Organizations hosted by Sarah Thornton, Chair at the Society of American Archivists Student Chapter.