Why I Love Being a Library Sciences Student

1) Librarians are cool. I love my fellow students! I have to admit even as a member of this group myself, I wasn't quite sure what to expect of my peers. My mind was full of visions of frumpy bespectacled shushers. Totally not the case. The students I had the opportunity to meet last week during my on-campus visit for my Masters program are passionate, motivated, intelligent, diverse people with such a broad mix of interests, backgrounds, and desires for their careers. It was really inspiring. Although, one stereotype was correct - my program has to be at least 80% women. But women rock. :)

2) Learning is stimulating. It has been way too long since I really learned anything. I mean I read and at work there is always a new process to adapt to, but its been years since I've had a true "ah-hah!" moment. Or added a REAL new skill to my portfolio. Or came home so excited about something that I felt compelled to talk everyone's ears off about my new found knowledge. And being on campus, cruising around with my back-pack, joking about my professors, stealing away for vending machine breaks...how freaking refreshing from working on Excel spreadsheets and listening to corporate conference calls. I felt like an 18 yr old let loose for the first time. School agrees with me.

3) My program is kick-ass. Which I should have known BEFORE applying and accepting, but the University of Pittsburgh's MLS program is really top-notch. As in top 10 in the country. I pretty much chose it without considering alternatives because of the convenience of a 100% online degree program at a local school, but I was really proud to learn more about the credentials of my program. The creators and directors of the program are extremely focused on making sure that on-line students have virtually the same experience an on-campus student receives and they do it very well, employing technology, required on-campus visits, and using a Cohort concept, which bands all of us students who start together in a group that moves through the program together. I am so happy with my educational experience so far, and believe I am going to appreciate it more and more as I move through the next 2 years.

4) It's not just about the books. Most people that find out I am studying to be a librarian look at me like I am telling a funny joke. They think librarians are old ladies shelving books according to the Dewey Decimal system and telling patrons to "Shh." I do love books but there is SO much more to this field, especially now, as the Internet continues to develop. You wouldn't believe all of the political and legal issues that are at the forefront for library professionals. I am absolutely enraged about some of the changes that could be coming if librarians (and other people) don't successfully advocate for the public. And for the first time in my life, I don't feel totally helpless about legal and political issues that upset me. I feel like with this new profession and the support of fellow library science professionals and membership in the American Library Association, maybe little old me can make a difference. But it feels good to be in a position to be motivated to try and make a difference.

5) A job I love...is it possible??? I never really knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. Except a Mom. That's the only thing I ever felt passionate about. And that isn't about to change, but I also know that I am going to need more in life. When my children are in school and as I get older, I need to make a difference to the world outside of my immediate family, and I finally have a career to put with that desire. During this on-campus week, I had several group and personal meetings with my adviser who runs the School Library track of this program. I am SO excited about being a school librarian. Encouraging a love of reading and an excitement for knowledge in young people could be MY job. There is SO much information out there, and being able to filter through it, and access the right information in a way that is meaningful to everyone from the class brainiac, to the class clown, to the child with learning disorder could be MY job. Being an aide to teachers so that they can focus on their specialties and not collecting and disseminating resources for projects could be MY job. Teaching children that the best research paper isn't necessarily founded on information collected from a google search and helping them find fun, easy ways to access more reliable information could be MY job. I just can't contain my enthusiasm!