Two years ago, I sat unhappily in my office at a Chicago nonprofit and wondered what was next. I had spent the better part of my working life committed to social service endeavors, but the last few years had really put my idealism to the test. I decided to apply to the University of Illinois…
Category Archives: MLISMy first substantive post to this website garnered a bit of attention back in June. At the time I was reading Information Architecture for the World Wide Web and becoming increasingly disillusioned by the lack of relevant course offerings in my program. My short post was picked up by none other than Peter Morville himself: This exchange… no comments After a calming two weeks of backpacking in my favorite place in the U.S., I am back in Champaign-Urbana for my last semester of graduate school. I will be continuing my work as a Graduate Assistant in the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, an agricultural special collection located in the University of Illinois ACES Library. This… no comments I decided to begin my summer reading with Information Architecture for the World Wide Web by Peter Morville & Louis Rosenfeld, or as it is commonly referred to “the polar bear book.” Both Morville and Rosenfeld pursued advanced degrees in library and information science before they popularized the field of information architecture and published the first… show 7 comments I finished library school two years ago and I have yet to find work. Like your university, my program focused on a traditional track at the expense of training that could have helped my job search. I have been fixing that by taking continuing education classes, but it seems like my iSchool really missed the boat preparing me. I don’t know which iSchool you went to but that’s certainly not the situation at the iSchool at Sheffield University http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/is where I am a Visiting Professor. The faculty team and the Advisory Panel have just spent two days working on new courses, including a new BSc in Informatics that will be available in 2012. Certainly we still offer modules in library-related topics, but the overall emphasis is very much on information management with a strong technology element. Information architecture is a core module – there is no escape from it. Good luck with your career Martin I took the Information Architecture class at your school the last time it was offered, and it was a big help in getting me started in an IA/UX career. I’m surprised and disappointed that it hasn’t been offered since. When I was in school, there was cautious interest in and awareness of UX work, but those of us planning to pursue such work were still exceptions to the rule; I’d have thought that would have changed by now. Library and information science programs are obvious candidates to prepare people to work in nontraditional information professions–so why aren’t they doing so? I first learned about IA while getting my MLIS at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and took an IA class. I think they’re starting to see the value of IA/UX and are revising their curriculum accordingly. Makes me wish I had went to grad school later than sooner! At the same time, a part of me wishes I had went the HCI route instead of library science, since it seems like those of us with Lib Sci backgrounds are less desirable job candidates than those who have comp/web design backgrounds. Vous avez de bons points il, c’est pourquoi j’aime toujours verifier votre blog, Il semble que vous etes un expert dans ce domaine. maintenir le bon travail, Mon ami recommander votre blog. Mon francais n’est pas tres bon, je suis de l’Allemagne. Mon blog: [...] first substantive post to this website garnered a bit of attention back in June. At the time, I was reading Information [...] I’m in my second semester of Dominican’s GSLIS program and find myself asking the same questions about finding a career outside the library. I agree with your entire post and it was very reassuring to read your concern with UI’s focus on traditional librarianship. I have been really concerned that my program is too focused on traditional and school libraries and not information or technology oriented enough for me, and that I might do better at a place like Illinois. Are there any specific books or classes that you’d suggest looking into outside of a GSLIS program? Hello! My name is Gemma Petrie and I recently completed my first year at the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science. I have a background in nonprofit development and professional experience in web site architecture, writing and editing, grant writing, content management, social media, photography, and event planning. I’ve always had… no comments |
|
show hide 2 comments
Elizabeth - Don’t forget your alternative spring break in A2!
Gemma Petrie - Oh my! How could I!? Updating now.