Thanks to a generous donation to the School of Information at San José State University (SJSU), graduate students starting the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program or Master of Archives and Records Administration (MARA) program in fall 2015 will be able to apply for funding to help pay for travel to a professional conference during the 2015/2016 academic year.

“Professional conferences present a tremendous opportunity for students to network and learn about careers in the information profession,” said Dr. Sandra Hirsh, director of the SJSU School of Information. “By taking advantage of these experiences early on, our students will be able to build their professional networks and make important connections that will help them considerably when they are ready to enter the job market.”

The first 25 MLIS or MARA students entering the iSchool in fall 2015 who apply for travel funding will be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $200 to cover conference registration fees or travel-related expenses. Newly admitted students are advised to submit the online form as soon as possible. Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and recipients will be notified in June 2015.

Recognizing the value of professional association membership, the iSchool also gives all new MLIS students a complimentary one-year membership to the American Library Association (ALA), the Special Library Association (SLA), the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T), or the Society of American Archivists (SAA). All new MARA students are given the choice of a complimentary one-year membership to either the SAA or ASIS&T.