I began this MLIS program in the Fall of 2021 after working in an academic library setting for a year and about six years of public library experience. This MLIS program exponentially expanded my knowledge of the LIS profession and cemented my desire to become an academic librarian. Through this program, I have learned many critical skills and knowledge on what it takes to be a librarian in today’s global and technological information landscape. I started this program after being out of the educational arena for eleven years when I received my Bachelor of Arts degree. When looking for an MLIS program, San Jose State stood out due to the asynchronous environment it allowed for me to maintain my full-time job while pursuing my education. I was able to be a full-time student throughout my time in this program and took at least two courses each semester including the summer to finish within three years.
This program showed me that there is a lot more to being a librarian than I originally thought including the importance of understanding and meeting community needs, working toward change in improving equity, diversity, and inclusion in the LIS profession, the importance of the library space as a safe and supportive atmosphere, and to ensure broad free access to information locally and globally. This program has ignited my passion for library assessment in my current position at the College of Southern Nevada Libraries ensuring we are meeting the needs of our students and joining library committees to create and bring about positive change in any way possible.
I came into the program with leadership and management skills, but taking the courses I did on project management and change management altered my understanding of how to lead and manage as a librarian. Taking charge of projects became a goal of mine once I understood the implementation process. I was nervous to take a graduate-level research course, but I found it to be one of my biggest strengths. As I’ve discussed before, I enjoy driving change in the LIS profession and have taken my knowledge from these courses to assist me in the change process including a collection assessment research project and diversity audit I am currently leading at my library.
Going through this program allowed me to realize that education is an ongoing process, so I do not plan to stop here. My goal is to attain an academic library position, continue to grow my knowledge in the LIS profession through professional development, and at some point enroll in a Ph.D. program in Higher Education to best prepare me for a dean or director position at an academic library.