Students, Faculty, and Alumni Team Up for a DLIS-Led University Presentation

What began as a presentation of a collaborative teaching of GIS systems evolved into a group discussion of DLIS-led projects and opportunities offered through the University. This student and faculty idea-sharing workshop evolved into an engaged discussion amongst information professionals interested in speaking about links between the GIS projects and the DLIS Academic Service-Learning (AS/L) projects. In the hopes of establishing further opportunities for student development through AS/L, the group conversed lightly over topics such as creating interactive historical information objects and archival image representations using the GIS software.

Representatives of other university departments attended the DLIS-led event, including the University Archives, the Center for Teaching and Learning, Instructional Design, and the University Libraries. To view images of the event and find out more about the topics covered in the workshop, please visit a related post at the DLIS Blog.

Spring Symposium 2014: Career Services

Dr. Kristin Szylvian

Dr. Kristin Szylvian served as moderator for St. John’s University and St. John’s College Career and Internship Advisor, Karen Acampado.

Success Stories & Paths to DLIS

Patricia Canale has been an employee of St. John’s for 23 years. For years she contemplated returning to school, finally deciding on the MLS program at St. John’s. While in the program, Patricia was the recipient of the prestigious IMLS scholarship. She is now working in the Office of the Registrar, in the capacity of Associate Registrar.

 

Robert Drzewicki had 25 years experience in financial services before deciding to further his education by pursuing a MLS degree at St. John’s. Robert was a recipient of the IMLS scholarship. Robert is currently the Content Information Manager at Gartner, Inc. and belongs to several LIS associations and two association boards.

 

 

Linda Miles completed many academic endeavors before discovering the LIS program at St. John’s. For nearly eleven years, Linda worked at the library of the Lincoln Center Institute. Interested in Special Libraries and art programs for non-profit organizations, Linda recently completed her MLS degree at St. John’s. Recently, Linda accepted the position of Public Services Librarian at Yeshiva University.

Get a Head Start on your Career!

Laura Smith, a Senior Career Counselor at SJU’s Career Center, joined us at the Spring 2012 Symposium to speak to the attendees.

She offered tips and advice for resumes and cover letters, noting that “your resume should stress your accomplishments, education, and experience in a way that demonstrates how you can contribute to the company and connects your experience with the position.” She also urged students to sign up for mock interviews at the Career Center, where the counselors will assist students in preparing for, and film, a mock interview. The counselor will then review the video with the student to help them find their strengths and weaknesses in their interview skills.

Additional information can be found in the CareerLink section on St. John’s Central. Information such as job and internship postings, including opportunities for DLIS students, is available!  For more information, check out the Career Center website at: stjohns.edu/careercenter.

Preparing for Summer Break: More than Stocking up on Beach Reads

As the days get longer, DLIS faculty and students begin to prepare for summer break. Summer break is a great opportunity to pick up a course and an internship. During the summer months, the DLIS of=ice is open and available to students, but faculty and staff work lighter hours. Please contact us if you need assistance, and stay up to date with your SJU email. Below we answer some of FAQ about summer semesters:

What courses are offered?

You can view the course listing on the DLIS Current Students page. Summer courses are offered in two sessions, with a week long intensive Post Session. Summer session dates:

Summer Session I: May 28 – July 9. Summer Session II: July 11 – August 22 Post Session: August 19 – August 23

Can I study abroad?

Yes. Courses are being offered this summer in Rome. Registration has already closed, but contact the department immediately if you are still interested. Also, consider internship opportunities abroad. Internships can count toward credits. Work with your advisor to apply for credit. Plan ahead for an opportunity to study abroad with Dr. Lee in Jamaica next Spring.

Are there scholarships and graduate assistantships available? Yes, they are limited. Graduate assistantships have already been assigned, but if interested in summer graduate assistantship let your supervisor know or contact DLIS today. Summer assistantships at St. John’s are for summer tuition only. No stipend is provided.

The O’Connell Scholarship still applies to summer courses.

How do I find an internship?

There are many ways to find internships, now is the time to start for summer. 1) DLIS regularly forwards internships postings, so check your email! 2) Talk with your advisor or a faculty member.  3) INeedaLibraryJob.com is one of the most comprehensive websites for positions in the Library and Information Science field. 4) SJU Career Link: The SJU Career link is full of internships with employers seeking St. John’s students. Do not miss this excellent resource, which includes many LIS positions.

I am not able to take summer courses, how else can I stay engaged with LIS?
1) Connect with professional associations.  2)Study for comprehensive exams and prepare your ePortfolio. 3) Read LIS blogs & professional publications. 4) Volunteer 5) Join a student group.

I don’t live near New York, but want to stay engaged with DLIS, what can I do?
Register for LIS 270 tutorial; follow us on Facebook; join a student group.

Do I need to check my St. John’s email during summer break?
YES! It is how DLIS contacts you with important information about courses, registration, your bursar bill, jobs, internships, etc. If you don’t like logging into your SJU email, be sure to forward to an email account you check daily. If going on vacation, it is good professional practice to set up an alert that you are not checking your email. Be sure to provide a return date for when you will check your email. Information Science field.

 

Scholarship Opportunities

It’s never too early or too late to start looking into scholarships to help finance your library and information science education. Many professional library organizations offer scholarships ranging from general scholarships to those with a more specialized focus or interest. To learn more about the requirements of these scholarships, deadlines, and additional information, be sure to visit the correlating organization’s website.

Planning Ahead: Making the Most of Career Center Services

The St. John’s University Career Center boasts a brand new building and a positive approach to coveted career services.  Career and Intern Advisor Karen Acampado supplied information about both the services she and the Career Center provide to both graduate and undergraduate students.