Career Blog

Brush Up on Reader’s Advisory Skills

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 18:18:00 +0000

Published: May 24, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

While you do not have to be an avid reader to be a successful librarian, it certainly helps. One of the most in-demand skills for librarians according to SJSU’s MLIS Skills at Work Report is reader’s advisory.

LIS Job Search Sites & Resources

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Wed, 15 May 2024 00:40:00 +0000

Published: May 4, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

Kickstart Your Career with Membership in a Professional Organization

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Sat, 04 May 2024 15:02:00 +0000

Published: April 29, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

No Creative Skills? Canva can help with that!

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 22:42:00 +0000

Published: April 11, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

Librarians often find themselves embracing a range of duties on the job – a customer service specialist at the circulation desk, a researcher at the reference desk, a sort-of referee in the children’s section, and an all-around marketer and library advocate at all other times.

Attending My First Professional Conference

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 20:29:00 +0000

LibLearnX 2024 - Baltimore, MD

Published: April 2, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

Though I am now in my second year here at the iSchool, I still feel like a brand new student. This most likely has to do with the constant exposure to new and exciting information as well as the hunger to learn even more.

Makerspace Librarianship

hannah.nguyen — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 03:55:00 +0000

You Can Do It Your Shelf

Published: August 15th, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

Makerspaces have become a staple in many libraries around the country, and it’s easy to see why they are a match made in heaven. These collaborative spaces offer equipment, software, or supplies to help patrons create and innovate. Ideally, they are designed to reflect what their community wants, which means that no two makerspaces are alike. They can house anything from arts and crafts supplies to 3d printers, to a podcast studio. Patrons might use them to create physical objects, play music, or design a virtual reality room. Here are some tips for those interested in pursuing makerspace librarianship.

Excellent Questions to Ask at the End of Your Next Job Interview

hannah.nguyen — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 18:13:00 +0000

Published: July 26th, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

The last question most people are asked in a job interview is “do you have any questions for us?” Experts agree that it is important to ask questions during this time to communicate that you are actively interested in the role. The answers you receive can also help you decide whether the institution is a good fit for you. Think about the questions you want to ask ahead of time so that you don’t freeze up and miss out on this opportunity. Here are some examples of the types of questions you can ask to leave a positive first impression.

What’s the Best Part About Working in Outreach?

hannah.nguyen — Sat, 08 Jul 2023 03:29:00 +0000

Q&A with David Freas

Published: July 7, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

If you love interacting with people and have thought about innovative ways to make library services available to everyone, outreach librarianship might be for you! Outreach is an incredibly important aspect of libraries simply because communities need to know about services to use them. According to the American Library Association, outreach librarians are intended to serve everyone, however they are often focused on reaching people who underutilize the library, and communities who are underserved.

How to Get the Most Out of Joining a Professional Association

hannah.nguyen — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 04:26:00 +0000

Published: June 20, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

There are many professional organizations within the field of librarianship that offer networking opportunities, scholarships, grants, continuing education, and other resources and perks. You may already be familiar with some of these organizations because the iSchool provides a complimentary one-year membership for students enrolled in Info 200. If you’ve never joined a professional association before, you may feel overwhelmed by the new emails or feel unclear about how to contribute. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your membership.

Tips for Staying Positive During the Job Hunt

hannah.nguyen — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 02:52:00 +0000

Published: June 15, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

The process of searching and applying for, interviewing, and following up on available jobs can be exhausting. It feels like a part-time job and requires a lot of energy and attention. If you haven’t landed your dream job yet, or have experienced some rejection, it becomes very easy to feel defeated. Here are key tips to help you avoid burnout and maintain an optimistic outlook.

Should Librarians Be Worried About Artificial Intelligence?

hannah.nguyen — Mon, 29 May 2023 16:27:00 +0000

Published: May 29, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

As new technology emerges, there is often a discussion about how librarian’s roles will change in relation to it. This conversation has become especially relevant with the introduction of new artificial intelligence (AI) tools. These innovations are certainly going to affect America’s workforce, and librarians are no exception to this. But what are the opportunities and risks? Should we be worried?

Four Reasons to Join Student Leadership

hannah.nguyen — Mon, 01 May 2023 02:47:00 +0000

Published: April 30, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

There are ten student groups offered at the iSchool that offer a wide range of benefits to enrich your educational experience. Several of these groups are associated with larger professional associations (such as ALA, ASIS&T, SLA, and SAASC), and others have been created at the iSchool as a reflection of student interests. You may be familiar with many of them from emails advertising free panels, student mixers, or webinars. If you have ever considered joining student leadership in one of these groups, many of them are actively recruiting for the upcoming academic year. Here’s why you should consider nominating yourself to be a student leader:

How to Prepare for a Virtual Interview

hannah.nguyen — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 02:59:00 +0000

Published: April 20, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

Even in organizations where most work is completed in-person, it is becoming more common to conduct interviews virtually. This especially applies to the first round of interviews, sometimes referred to as the “semi-finals.” In fact, according to a recent Indeed survey, 82% of employers are currently using virtual interviews. This format eliminates some of the stress of driving and locating parking at an unfamiliar location, but it comes with its own set of issues to consider. Although virtual interviews may feel less intimidating, they are often more competitive because they take less time and can be offered to more candidates. Here are some practical tips to help you prepare for your next virtual interview.

Alternative LIS Career Spotlight: Working at OverDrive

hannah.nguyen — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 15:46:00 +0000

Published: April 19, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

The unprecedented events of the past few years caused many libraries to close to the public, resulting in a massive increase in digital library usage. The company OverDrive provides the largest digital media catalog in the world to libraries and schools through their award-winning app Libby. They are a certified B Corporation dedicated to improving literacy and supporting libraries and schools with their shared vision. I spoke with Mike Dresch, the recruiting manager at OverDrive about what it’s like to work for them and why information professionals in particular will find this work rewarding.

Alternative LIS Career Spotlight: Working at EBSCO

hannah.nguyen — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 02:50:00 +0000

Published: March 23, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

Have you ever explored working for a library vendor? Vendors in the library and information science space make a massive impact by serving libraries all over the world. Many of these organizations share the same philosophy and goals as information professionals, and your experience and field of study should make you a competitive candidate. I spoke with Tammy Ross, the Senior Product Marketing Manager at EBSCO Information Services (and iSchool alumni) about her career with one of the largest research database vendors serving libraries.

Understanding Industry Jargon in LIS Job Ads

hannah.nguyen — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 04:06:00 +0000

Published: March 20, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

Applying for jobs can sometimes feel like its own part-time job. Library positions are competitive and can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the process. Many library and information science (LIS) positions are in higher education or government, which often use specific industry jargon in their descriptions. Here is a list of explanations for some of the common terms found in library job ads to help those currently on the hunt.

Getting Started in Medical Librarianship – Q & A with Katie Eidem

hannah.nguyen — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 04:57:00 +0000

Published: February 22, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

Have you been curious about medical librarianship? Medical libraries fit under the umbrella of special libraries and allow you to support the medical community by improving access to critical health and medical information. On any given day, you might be working with patients, practitioners, students, or the general public. Although many medical librarians have degrees related to the medical field, it isn’t a requirement. So how should you get started?

What It’s Like Interning at the American Film Institute – Q&A with Sabrina Gunn

hannah.nguyen — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 17:07:00 +0000

Published: February 17th, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

Many Library and Information Science students worry about a lack of experience or connections getting in the way of their career prospects. Some students simply have a hard time narrowing down their field of interest. An internship can be an excellent solution for all of these issues. I interviewed iSchool student Sabrina Gunn about her experience as a remote archival intern at the American Film Institute (AFI). Find out what it was like to work with their historic collection!

Four Free Career Development Resources Every Student Should Be Using

hannah.nguyen — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 17:18:00 +0000

Published: February 10th, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

Graduate students spend a significant amount of time juggling school, work, family and personal obligations. It can make it difficult to be aware of all the great FREE career resources you have as a student. Here is a list of four of the best career-building perks you can take advantage of right now.

How to Choose Your Career Pathway

hannah.nguyen — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:13:00 +0000

Published: February 1st, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

Many students enter grad programs without a clear direction or lose sight of their original focus once they realize how many career options are available. Since a significant amount of iSchool students are making a career change, it is understandable that they want to be sure they’re making a wise decision. So, let’s discuss some ideas and resources that will help you make a pathway choice you can feel confident about!