In recognition of their amazing work, the iSchool’s student chapters of professional associations will each receive $1,000 for a selected board member or selected student member to attend the respective association’s national conference.

Networking is vital for career growth, and participation in extracurricular activities like the award-winning student chapters of professional associations at the San José State University School of Information (iSchool) is one of the ways graduate students enrolled in the school’s online master’s degree programs can make new contacts and gain real-world experience.

In addition to providing new students with one-year complimentary memberships to professional associations, iSchool Director Sandra Hirsh recently announced that the school will award funding to the student chapters of professional associations for travel to the respective association’s national conference.

“I am supporting this student association travel, as I am pleased with the work that you all are doing and want to support your contributions and ongoing professional development,” remarked Hirsh in her email to the student chapter leadership committee. “I know you will make sure to represent the iSchool well at the conference and make us proud!”

The student chapters at the iSchool will each receive $1,000 for a selected board member or selected student member to attend the parent association conference. For example, up to $1,000 will be provided to a selected member of the Special Libraries Association student chapter to travel to the Special Libraries Association Conference scheduled for June 12-14, 2016. Likewise, the American Library Association student chapter will receive funding to travel to the American Library Association Annual Conference, which is in Orlando this year from June 23-28, 2016.

Students who receive travel support are required to provide a written report about their conference experience to Hirsh and are encouraged to share their report with all members of the school’s student chapters. The student association travel award is dependent on available funding and is subject to change.

Participation in student chapters of professional associations can open doors and eyes to the vast career opportunities in the information profession. The iSchool offers student chapters of the American Library Association, Association for Information Science & Technology, Society of American Archivists, and Special Libraries Association.