Welcome to the May 2011 SLIS Descriptor!

Dear fellow students,

As another academic semester comes to a close, I am honored to begin a new chapter of my SLIS experience as editor of the SLIS Descriptor.  I am eager to share the range of experience represented by our diverse student body, and I welcome your ideas and input.  I also want to thank our outgoing editor, Joni Savage, for her hard work and dedication in the last year, and for working with me to bring you the May issue of ALASC's newsletter.

For our many recent graduates who are changing their focus from final projects and coursework to concentrate on CV updates and career trajectories, this final issue of the spring semester focuses on the professional side of librarianship:

• Attention new graduates: SLIS alumna Lucy Bellamy summarizes a list of suggestions for remaining in contact after earning your degree in "Tips to Staying Involved in SLIS after Graduation." Are you an alumnus/alumna? We want to hear your perspective.
• Kimberly Koshiyama provides an illuminating summary of her corporate internship experience at a major telecommunications company in "My Experience as a Corporate Librarian Intern in Silicon Valley." Have you completed a memorable internship? Please share your experiences.
• Sam Leif shares some essential online sources for students seeking that elusive, ultimate LIS position in "Job Resources for Students." Do you have any other LIS resources to recommend? Share your favorite websites in the comments.
• Alison Leonard describes her experiences in "SJSU SLIS ALASC’s Tour of the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum" in Yorba Linda, California. Please send us your stories of library tours.
• Stacey Nordlund discusses the future of the MLIS in an interview with an Ontario Legislative Librarian. In "Thinking Outside the Box: An Interview with Government Librarian Wendy Reynolds" she covers the importance of developing a broad skill set that is transferable to multiple settings. Where has your MLIS taken you? Share your professional experience.

Lastly, please visit the SLIS Networks page to find connections in your geographic area.  If there is no group in your region, start your own and email the editor to have it included.

Sincerely,

Stacey Nordlund

2011-2012 Editor

SJSU ALASC SLIS Descriptor

Tips to Staying Involved with SLIS after Graduation

by Lucy Bellamy
SJSU SLIS Class of 2007

I can’t believe that it’s been almost four years since I graduated from SJSU’s SLIS program! It really doesn’t seem like that much time has gone by. I have to say that staying connected to current students and alumni have made this transition invisible. Finding time to network while pursuing my degree was definitely a challenge; but joining the local student group was an important first step in establishing this important relationship. My student chapter, LISSTEN (Library Information Science Students Encourage Networking) offered several events which provided students with opportunities to network with one another as well as professionals established in their careers. It was at one such event where I was introduced to what would become my professional membership association, the Special Libraries Association (SLA). SLA, like other professional membership associations, offers a variety of events, professional and social, for students to network and be involved before, during, and after graduation. It’s easy to become overwhelmed while in the SLIS program, and often the thought of adding yet another commitment to an over-flowing plate of obligations can deter even the most focused student. However, I urge you to think of this opportunity as an investment in your future.

My Experience as a Corporate Librarian Intern in Silicon Valley

By Kimberly Koshiyama

When I first saw QuickSLIS mailer’s advertisement calling for a student in Library and Information Science at San Jose State University to work as an Intern at one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, I immediately thought, is this possible?  Can the artsy/literature-focused library world be inter-meshed with the fast-paced, often cutthroat corporate, technology industry?  As I have found out, it indeed can, and my internship there was one of the best yet challenging experiences of my life.

The closest environment that I had ever worked at previously was a start-up technology company, which was still quite dissimilar from my current position.  We frequently showed up to work wearing jeans and tee-shirts, multi-tasking by playing music and chatting intermittently on top of working.  Immediately when I walked in to my interview at my internship, I was blown away by the shiny chrome buildings, the twenty-three plus various campuses, glass doors, and being surrounded by professionals adorned in business suits, heels, or finely pressed clothes.  I was then brought into an interview with three variant individuals (after many attempts at an electronic "summoning" system), one of whom I talked to via phone rather than in-person.  Most of the communication is done either by Web-conferencing or phone which the SLIS program has sufficiently prepped me for!  I lived within an APR (Audio Privacy closed off glass paneled room with electrical outlets, Kleenex, Whiteboards, camping equipment…kidding about the last one but you get the picture) as most individuals do within the company. 

Job Resources for Students

By Sam Leif

If there is one thing on the mind of most students it is getting a job after graduation. There are a number of useful tools to help you find open positions and learn useful tips for everything from your resume to the interview.

ALA JobLIST

The American Library Association and the Association of College and Research Libraries teamed up to create a useful list of job openings. They allow searching by keyword, city, state, job/library type and more. They also provide a useful feature of identifying which institutions will be at the upcoming conferences so you can network in person if you are also attending.
Don’t Miss: The Facebook group, on which they are constantly sharing links to blogs and career resources that offer guidance and help for every topic that can be connected with employment.

SLIS Career Development

The SLIS website actually has a very developed career development section. In fact, we even have our own career counselor Jill Klees. The website has a thorough PDF file of emerging trends and skills employers are expecting and many resources on how to network. They have tips for writing your resume, cover letter or curriculum vitae. They have run a series of workshops that are available for viewing on topics from prison librarianship to life after MLIS.
Don’t Miss: Perfect Interview. This awesome software has a bank of interview questions for you to ponder, and an option to see what employers might want to hear as a response. This tool is easy to use and very useful.