The virtual MLIS Summer Institute was a unique and helpful experience that allowed students and others to ask questions, meet others, and review important information related to the program.
The morning coffee chats gave students the opportunity to talk, ask questions, and network with other students. This opportunity to ‘pick the brain’ of students who have just recently completed the steps that we are going through is invaluable, helpful, and reassuring. After all, they made it through our current struggle and are almost done, some are already working as librarians. This was really inspirational and motivating.
The talks not only offered helpful information but every one had generous Q&A time, ensuring that students’ concerns, questions, and interests were covered. I really appreciated the opportunity to review important and pertinent aspects of the program, like the portfolio and MLIS program session which were directly related to our program and its requirements. This allowed students to get their specific questions answered and requirements reviewed. There were also great talks with helpful information about preparing for a librarian job. While this may sometimes seem a long time off, not only were these talks helpful for later, the resume talk was helpful for the resume assignment that we completed in the program and for updating it as we go. Also, after hearing that several students have started their library positions before graduating and that many schools hire librarians into a mentorship position before they graduate, I realized that this information might be relevant more quickly than we realize. Also, I just really enjoy thinking about and planning for my future career change. I loved hearing about the new librarians first year on the job-what they experienced, the new programs that they were implementing, and the considerations pertinent to being a new librarian.
I also appreciated the cool tools presentations, flipgrids, and other aspects of the institute that were available for us inbetween Zoom presentations and chats. This allowed me to continue to explore when I was in the learning state of mind, continuing my exploration of my current program and future profession.
I like that you brought up mentorship while working as a librarian because I also had not realized that was an option. Pieces of information like that and being able to chat with other students as well as professionals made the Summer Institute a really helpful experience.
Yes, I found it to be a really exciting option.
I found the number of people in the program who have already accepted jobs as librarians to be really encouraging. It was also encouraging to see how generous recent graduates were with their time, to come back and contribute like they did. They obviously finished the program with a sense of servitude and enthusiasm for the program, as well as for librarianship.
I agree. I was very excited to hear about the mentorship option and loved hearing about the librarian’s first year on the job. It was good to see them applying what we are learning in real libraries.
It was an energizing to hear from fellow students because we’re all in the same boat. I enjoyed the coffee chats I was able to attend, but even the questions they asked during the sessions really helped me to understand even more.