Career Development - SJSU | School of Information (2024)

Career Direction

Graduates with either a Masterin Library and Information Science or Masterin Archives and Records Administration degree have a unique opportunity to work in a variety of different settings and environments. You may already have some idea of what you want to do with your degree. However, not all students are sure, and others may find that their initial career objectives change as they spend more time in the MLIS or MARA program.

Skilltype Library Talent Platform

Are you wondering if you have the skills and competencies needed to work in a certain position in a different type of library? Now you can use the Skilltype system to see what skills you may have gaps in and strengthen them while you’re still in grad school. Skilltype uses linked data to create personalized training plans.

Networking

If you want to get the inside scoop on the variety and diversity of LIS positions available to you, then you should definitely network and conduct informational interviews. This is a critically important job search strategy — and you can take advantage of it whether you are actively conducting a job search or not.

Job Search and Agencies

It is never too early to start the job search process. As a current student, you can do this by reading articles about the LIS field, reviewing job ads to make note of the required qualifications, staying on top of market trends,developing your networkand making ongoing efforts tostay connected with that network. It isimportant to start this process earlyin your academic career.

Social Media for the Job Search

Conducting a successful job search requires you tostart the process early. Read articles about the LIS field, review job descriptions to take note of needed skill sets, stay on top of market trends, develop yournetworkand make efforts to stay connected, andconduct informational interviews.

Resumes, CVs and Cover Letters

Resumes, cover letters, and curriculum vita (CVs) are your job search documents. They introduce employers to who you are and what you can do. Depending on the type of position you are seeking and the industry you are applying to, potential employers will require a combination of these job search documents. Each has value in demonstrating your unique skills and capabilities. It’s never too early to create a draft of your documents so that you have a template you can easily tailor when you find a position you want to apply for.

Career e-Portfolios to Help Land a Job

Using a career e-portfolio in your job search is one more way you can showcase your skills and abilities to prospective employers. Whether or not you completed theINFO 289 e-portfolio class, you can still create a career e-portfolio that will showcase your strengths, help you get that interview, and perhaps even help you land the job.

Interviewing

Interviewing is a skill, and with preparation and practice you can get through even the toughest interview questions. Many applicants don’t realize how critical preparation is – please don’t expect to walk in and “wing it” successfully. Preparation and practice is the key to developing the skills to make the most of any interview situation.

Career Podcasts

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