Career Blog

Getting that First Library Experience

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 21:26:00 +0000

Published: December 4, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

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 MLIS Skills at Work Report disclosed that 88% of job announcements include the stipulation that experience is required or preferred.

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.

Choosing Medical Librarianship

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 19:30:00 +0000

Published: November 20, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

Interested in becoming a medical librarian? The SLASC recently hosted a Q&A Panel featuring medical librarians from Stanford and UC San Francisco. While you can watch the full panel here, you can find some of the panel’s top tips below.

What Do You Want to Do with Your Information Skills?

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 18:38:00 +0000

Published: November 6, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

As a student you’ve heard a lot about advisors, pathways, electives, and library sub-specialties. But if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, it may be time to step back and think about what you’d truly like to do.

Your Interview Outfit: What to Consider

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 20:30:00 +0000

Published: October 16, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

When preparing for an interview, it’s common to brush up on potential interview questions 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.

Airtable for Librarians

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 21:15:00 +0000

Published: October 9, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

Project Management is one of many job skills that librarians will find themselves using in the workplace. Though there are courses 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.

Coursera Career Academy for iSchool Students

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 23:02:00 +0000

Published: September 25, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

Being an MLIS student at SJSU comes with so many incredible benefits. You have access to dozens of specialized courses, fourteen active student groups, scholarship programs, and internship opportunities, all of which can be accessed virtually to help you stay involved no matter where you live. Adding to this slate of virtual benefits is the Coursera Career Academy, a free continuing education program for all students.

Transitioning from a Library Assistant to a Librarian Job

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 23:30:00 +0000

Published: September 18, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

A majority of students in the MLIS program here at the iSchool are already working in library environments. 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?

A Student’s Review of This Summer’s ALA Conference

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 20:51:00 +0000

Published: August 7, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

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.

What to Do After an Informational Interview

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 18:15:00 +0000

Published: July 31, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

So, you’ve planned an informational interview and conducted it, now what?

How to Tailor a Resume Using AI

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 17:56:00 +0000

Published: July 24, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

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.

What to Ask During an Informational Interview

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 17:18:00 +0000

Published: July 17, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

As we mentioned in a previous post, an Informational Interview is the perfect opportunity to get an understanding of the nuances of different library-related positions.

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.

How to Craft Your DEI Statement

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 18:22:00 +0000

Published: July 10, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

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 63% of library job announcements and DEI is listed as a skillset needed for qualified applicants on 32% of job posts.

How to Ask for an Informational Interview

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 17:48:00 +0000

Published: July 2, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

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.

Review Your MLIS Skills at Work

aryn.prestia@sjsu.edu — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 19:41:00 +0000

Published: June 18, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

For several years, the research-heavy MLIS Skills at Work report has been compiled by the Career Services department at the iSchool. The 2024 edition of this highly respected annual report for library job seekers nationwide is now available to help you get a jump on your career exploration!

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.