Career Blog https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog Career development is on everyone's minds. After all, that's why most, if not all, of our students come to us. This blog is ... en What Else to do While Job Hunting https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/what-else-do-while-job-hunting <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;May 23, 2025 by Aryn Prestia </p> <p> For some, job hunting can be a full-time job in itself. While there are dozens of <a href= "/career-blog/lis-job-search-sites-resources">library-specific search sites</a>&nbsp;that can help make your search more effective, there is no set timeline for finding a job in the information space. Whether your search takes days or months, it’s important to keep up the momentum and remind yourself why you want to work in a library or archive. Whether you have work experience in information science or not, using the gap-time in your job search can be a great opportunity for honing your skills.&nbsp; </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/what-else-do-while-job-hunting" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/what-else-do-while-job-hunting#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Job Search Career Blog: Skills Career Blog: Social Media and Careers Fri, 23 May 2025 20:51:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 9310 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu Learning the Art of the Interview with Big Interview https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/learning-art-interview-big-interview <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;May 5, 2025 by Aryn Prestia </p> <p> An interview can be intimidating, whether it’s in-person, over the phone, or held as a video call. The only true way to improve interviewing skills is through practice, but if you are not in the active job search process it can be hard to find scenarios in which to do that. This is where Big Interview comes in.&nbsp; </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/learning-art-interview-big-interview" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/learning-art-interview-big-interview#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Interviewing Career Blog: Job Search Career Blog: Skills Fri, 23 May 2025 20:43:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 9309 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu How to be a Library Advocate https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/how-be-library-advocate <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;April 22, 2025 by Aryn Prestia </p> <p> Being a library advocate is not only a job responsibility for anyone working in the information science profession, but an opportunity to showcase your personal values surrounding equitable information access. Whether as a student or a recent graduate, it’s important to take your role as a library advocate seriously. </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/how-be-library-advocate" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/how-be-library-advocate#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Interviewing Career Blog: Job Search Career Blog: Networking Career Blog: Skills Career Blog: Social Media and Careers Fri, 23 May 2025 20:33:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 9308 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu Finding a Job in Archives and Preservation https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/finding-job-archives-and-preservation <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;March 14, 2025 by Aryn Prestia </p> <p> The Archives & Preservation pathway is one of the most popular career pathways at the SJSU iSchool and more than 300 students are members of the Student Chapter of the Society of American Archivists. Yet how common are Archivist jobs, really? Let’s explore the current hiring landscape to learn more about the nuances of finding work in the Archives field. </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/finding-job-archives-and-preservation" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/finding-job-archives-and-preservation#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Interviewing Career Blog: Job Search Career Blog: Networking Career Blog: Skills Career Blog: Social Media and Careers Wed, 14 May 2025 00:20:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 9288 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu Building Your Library Resume https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/building-your-library-resume <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;February 28, 2025 by Aryn Prestia </p> <p> An updated resume is arguably the most important aspect of your job search process. Regardless of the information science sector you choose to work in, you will be asked to provide an updated resume. But what exactly should you include in a resume for a library-specific position? </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/building-your-library-resume" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/building-your-library-resume#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Job Search Career Blog: Resumes and CVs Career Blog: Skills Wed, 19 Mar 2025 15:52:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 9159 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu Do Cover Letters Matter Anymore? https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/do-cover-letters-matter-anymore <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;February 7, 2025 by Aryn Prestia </p> <p> Our last career blog post focusing on cover letters was published <a href= "/career-blog/top-10-tips-eye-catching-lis-cover-letter">six years ago</a>.&nbsp;In some industries, employers no longer even ask for a cover letter during the application process. But in the information science space, cover letters are still an important part of job applications.&nbsp; </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/do-cover-letters-matter-anymore" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/do-cover-letters-matter-anymore#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Cover Letters Career Blog: Interviewing Career Blog: Job Search Career Blog: Resumes and CVs Wed, 19 Mar 2025 15:15:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 9158 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu So You’re Graduating in May, Now What? https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/so-youre-graduating-may-now-what <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;January 15, 2025 by Aryn Prestia&nbsp; </p> <p> It can be exciting to enter your final semester in the MLIS program. Whether that effort has been months or years in the making, you are now ready to demonstrate the culmination of your hard work in your e-portfolio and a degree that will lead you to a new career.&nbsp; </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/so-youre-graduating-may-now-what" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/so-youre-graduating-may-now-what#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Choosing a Career Career Blog: Cover Letters Career Blog: Internships Career Blog: Interviewing Career Blog: Job Search Career Blog: Networking Career Blog: Resumes and CVs Career Blog: Skills Home: Spotlight Career Blog: Social Media and Careers Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:31:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 9050 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu Getting that First Library Experience https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/getting-first-library-experience <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;December 4, 2024 by Aryn Prestia&nbsp; </p> <p> If you have started the job search, you’ve likely noticed that a majority of the postings indicate that experience is required. In fact, the most recent <a href= "/sites/main/files/file-attachments/career_trends.pdf">MLIS Skills at Work Report</a> disclosed that 88% of job announcements include the stipulation that experience is required or preferred.&nbsp; </p> <p> But what do you do if you’ve devoted yourself to your MLIS degree full-time and have no library experience? In this post, we’ll be looking into how you gain library experience when you have none.&nbsp; </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/getting-first-library-experience" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/getting-first-library-experience#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Choosing a Career Career Blog: Cover Letters Career Blog: Internships Career Blog: Interviewing Career Blog: Job Search Career Blog: Networking Career Blog: Resumes and CVs Career Blog: Skills Home: Spotlight Career Blog: Social Media and Careers Tue, 17 Dec 2024 21:26:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 8769 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu Choosing Medical Librarianship https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/choosing-medical-librarianship <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;November 20, 2024&nbsp;by Aryn Prestia&nbsp; </p> <p> Interested in becoming a medical librarian? The SLASC recently hosted a Q&amp;A Panel featuring medical librarians from Stanford and UC San Francisco. While you can watch the full panel <a href= "https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TaIxeXlp0UMtAevfoQD7YfZCseUHhvMq/view"> here</a>,&nbsp;you can find some of the panel’s top tips below.<br> </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/choosing-medical-librarianship" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/choosing-medical-librarianship#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Choosing a Career Career Blog: Cover Letters Career Blog: Skills Career Blog: Social Media and Careers Mon, 25 Nov 2024 19:30:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 8725 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu What Do You Want to Do with Your Information Skills? https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/what-do-you-want-do-your-information-skills <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;November 6, 2024 by Aryn Prestia&nbsp; </p> <p> As a student you’ve heard a lot about <a href= "https://ischoolapps.sjsu.edu/advising/pathway.php">advisors</a>, <a href= "https://ischoolapps.sjsu.edu/pathways/intersection.php">pathways</a>, <a href="/mlis-electives">electives</a>, and library sub-specialties.&nbsp;But if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, it may be time to step back and think about what <em>you’d</em>&nbsp; truly like to do.&nbsp; </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/what-do-you-want-do-your-information-skills" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/what-do-you-want-do-your-information-skills#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Internships Career Blog: Interviewing Career Blog: Networking Career Blog: Skills Home: Spotlight Career Blog: Social Media and Careers Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:38:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 8721 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu Your Interview Outfit: What to Consider https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/your-interview-outfit-what-consider <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;October 16, 2024 by Aryn Prestia&nbsp; </p> <p> When preparing for an interview, it’s common to brush up on potential interview <a href= "/career-blog/excellent-questions-ask-end-your-next-job-interview"> questions</a>&nbsp;but it’s also important to consider how you will present yourself to a potential employer. A huge part of your first impression relates to what you are wearing.&nbsp; </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/your-interview-outfit-what-consider" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/your-interview-outfit-what-consider#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Internships Career Blog: Interviewing Career Blog: Networking Career Blog: Skills Home: Spotlight Career Blog: Social Media and Careers Tue, 29 Oct 2024 20:30:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 8669 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu Airtable for Librarians https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/airtable-librarians <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;October 9, 2024 by Aryn Prestia&nbsp; </p> <p> Project Management is one of many job skills that librarians will find themselves using in the workplace. Though there are <a href= "/mlis-electives#INFO282">courses</a> that students can take to understand a bit more about the project management process, ultimately the best way to learn project management is through practice.<br> </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/airtable-librarians" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/airtable-librarians#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Choosing a Career Career Blog: Skills Career Blog: Social Media and Careers Wed, 23 Oct 2024 21:15:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 8655 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu Coursera Career Academy for iSchool Students https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/coursera-career-academy-ischool-students <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;September 25, 2024&nbsp;by Aryn Prestia&nbsp; </p> <p> Being an MLIS student at SJSU comes with so many incredible benefits. You have access to dozens of <a href= "https://ischoolapps.sjsu.edu/gss/ajax/schedule.php?session=2&amp;term=58"> specialized courses</a>, <a href= "/student-groups">fourteen&nbsp;active student groups​</a>,&nbsp;<a href= "/financial-aid-and-scholarships">scholarship programs</a>, and <a href="/virtual-internships">internship opportunities</a>, all of which&nbsp;can be accessed virtually to help you stay involved no matter where you live. Adding to this slate of virtual benefits is the <a href="/coursera-career-academy">Coursera Career Academy</a>, a free continuing education program for all students.&nbsp;<br> </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/coursera-career-academy-ischool-students" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/coursera-career-academy-ischool-students#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Choosing a Career Career Blog: Skills Career Blog: Social Media and Careers Thu, 17 Oct 2024 23:02:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 8653 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu Transitioning from a Library Assistant to a Librarian Job https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/transitioning-library-assistant-librarian-job <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;September 18, 2024 by Aryn Prestia </p> <p> A <a href="/mlis-student-experience">majority of students</a> in the MLIS program here at the iSchool are already working in library environments.&nbsp;Yet without an MLIS degree, the only positions available to students are typically Library Assistant, Circulation Aide, or Library Page. As you get closer to graduation and begin thinking about the next step in your career, what does it mean to take that jump from assistant/aide/page to librarian?<br> </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/transitioning-library-assistant-librarian-job" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/transitioning-library-assistant-librarian-job#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Job Search Career Blog: Networking Career Blog: Skills Mon, 23 Sep 2024 23:30:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 8598 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu A Student’s Review of This Summer’s ALA Conference https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/students-review-summers-ala-conference <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;August 7, 2024 by Aryn Prestia&nbsp; </p> <p> The American Library Association hosted its annual conference this past June in San Diego, California. Billed as “the biggest library event of the year,” ALA Annual was attended by dozens of SJSU iSchool alumni, faculty, and current students. I had the opportunity to speak with one student attendee, Eddie Lagos, to learn more about the experience.<br> </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/students-review-summers-ala-conference" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/students-review-summers-ala-conference#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Choosing a Career Career Blog: Interviewing Career Blog: Networking Tue, 17 Sep 2024 20:51:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 8579 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu What to Do After an Informational Interview https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/what-do-after-informational-interview <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;July 31, 2024 by Aryn Prestia&nbsp; </p> <p> So, you’ve <a href= "/career-blog/how-ask-informational-interview">planned an informational interview</a> and <a href= "/career-blog/what-ask-during-informational-interview">conducted it</a>, now what?<br> </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/what-do-after-informational-interview" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/what-do-after-informational-interview#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Choosing a Career Career Blog: Interviewing Career Blog: Networking Fri, 02 Aug 2024 18:15:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 8501 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu How to Tailor a Resume Using AI https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/how-tailor-resume-using-ai <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;July 24, 2024 by Aryn Prestia </p> <p> AI Chatbots like ChatGPT are one of the most accessible avenues to Artificial Intelligence for students. Not only is it fun to play around with new technology, but it can actually be beneficial to the job search as well. In this post, we’ll be taking a look at how AI chatbots can be useful while crafting resumes.<br> </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/how-tailor-resume-using-ai" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/how-tailor-resume-using-ai#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Job Search Career Blog: Resumes and CVs Career Blog: Skills Career Blog: Social Media and Careers Wed, 24 Jul 2024 17:56:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 8488 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu What to Ask During an Informational Interview https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/what-ask-during-informational-interview <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;July 17, 2024 by Aryn Prestia&nbsp; </p> <p> As we mentioned in a previous <a href= "/career-blog/how-ask-informational-interview">post</a>,&nbsp;an Informational Interview is the perfect opportunity to get an understanding of the nuances of different library-related positions.&nbsp; </p> <p> While it may take some time to identify the right interviewee and schedule your meeting, planning for what to do during the actual interview is essential for ensuring its success.<br> </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/what-ask-during-informational-interview" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/what-ask-during-informational-interview#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Choosing a Career Career Blog: Interviewing Career Blog: Networking Tue, 23 Jul 2024 17:18:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 8484 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu How to Craft Your DEI Statement https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/how-craft-your-dei-statement <p> <strong>Published:</strong> July 10, 2024 by Aryn Prestia&nbsp; </p> <p> Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have become essential elements of library organizations in the past few years, and rightfully so! With libraries serving diverse communities and striving to be accessible for all, it makes sense that DEI statements are now a part of more than <a href= "/sites/main/files/file-attachments/career_trends.pdf">63% of library job announcements</a> and DEI is listed as a skillset needed for qualified applicants on <a href= "/sites/main/files/file-attachments/career_trends.pdf">32% of job posts</a>.&nbsp; </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/how-craft-your-dei-statement" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/how-craft-your-dei-statement#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Cover Letters Career Blog: Interviewing Career Blog: Job Search Career Blog: Resumes and CVs Mon, 15 Jul 2024 18:22:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 8470 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu How to Ask for an Informational Interview https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/how-ask-informational-interview <p> <strong>Published:</strong>&nbsp;July 2, 2024 by Aryn Prestia&nbsp; </p> <p> Once in grad school, you likely learned rather quickly (or will learn very soon) that there is more than one way to be a librarian. There are dozens of specialities when it comes to library science – Public, Academic, Special, Medical, Law, and Archives, just to name a few. As you navigate the maze of career choices, the journey from aspiration to actualization can be overwhelming. This is where informational interviews come into play, serving as invaluable tools for those looking to better understand the nuances and day-to-day responsibilities of librarians in practice.<br> </p><p><a href="https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/how-ask-informational-interview" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://ischool.sjsu.edu/career-blog/how-ask-informational-interview#comments Career Blog Career Blog Career Blog: Career Strategy Career Blog: Choosing a Career Career Blog: Interviewing Career Blog: Networking Wed, 10 Jul 2024 17:48:00 +0000 aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu 8454 at https://ischool.sjsu.edu