From: Moderator
Subject: [libtech] Is a Master’s Degree in Library Science a Poor Investment? A Counter Perspective
To: libtech@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, 28 March, 2012, 18:04
Is a Master's Degree in Library Science a Poor Investment? A Counter Perspective to Forbes Magazine
by DoroteaSzkolarIn the June 2011 Forbes online edition, Jacquelyn Smith ranked a Master's degree in Library Sciences as the one of worst Masters Degrees a student could invest in. She
based the rankings on employment projection data and average mid-career
pay compared to other people in similar jobs. I can understand Smith's
conclusions: based solely on statistical data, librarianship on average
does make less than engineering, mathematicians and physicists. My
issue with her analysis is that statistical data alone does not provide a
complete picture of the opportunities presented by obtaining a degree
in librarianship. I disagree with the assertion that a degree in
information sciences in an information age is a poor investment. So, let
me provide a counter perspective to supplement the statistical analysis
and create a more complete picture of the benefits for those
considering the degree.
Career Opportunities Outside the Library
Smith wrongly assumes in her analysis that graduates can only work in
a library. The truth is, a Master's degree in library and information
sciences provides a set of skills which does not limit graduates to just
libraries. The ability to navigate and manage information is not a
useless skill and there are many non-librarian jobs the degree qualifies
graduates for, including: information resources specialist, researcher,
meta-data analyst, documentation specialist and creative project
manager. In fact, fellow contributing blogger Mia Brietkopf wrote an excellent article on 61 non-traditional jobs for LIS grads.
LIS degree holders have utilized their skills to establish successful
businesses. For example, Professor of Practice Jill Hurst-Wahl of the
Information School at Syracuse University runs a consulting firm for digitization initiatives. From
a personal example, I am currently working on a non-traditional
librarian project; I am writing a project planning, marketing and
assessment plan for Polaris Software Company's new community cataloging
software for libraries. The above jobs do not take place in a library
and are not part of the traditional librarian career path. Therefore,
such jobs are not accounted for in the above statistical data. As with
any degree, if you limit yourself to just the traditional career
options, of course your job options will be limited.
Librarian Revolution = More Opportunities
The statistical data also does not account for the current revolution
and innovation librarianship is undergoing, and the resulting
opportunities. The stereotype of a mean old lady with her hair tied
tightly back and lost in the stacks of an austere library is being
replaced with a welcoming digitally advanced and community involved
organization. To remain relevant in today's information and digital
world, librarians continue to undertake innovative projects and services
needed by communities.
A key action area of the American Library Association
is to "transformation of libraries and library services in a dynamic
and increasingly global digital information environment". This
revolution is providing a host of exciting projects for LIS graduates.
To give an example, the Fayetteville Free library recently installed a new service, the Fab lab, making
expensive commercial machines and software for creating, developing and
testing innovative ideas available to the community, including a 3D
model printer.
Career Advancement
Finally, the statistical data fails to mention that the Master's
degree is a necessary investment for advancing one's career in
librarianship. An MLIS is often required when applying for professional
librarian jobs, especially in regards to the more advanced positions
such as director or manager. This is why I am pursuing my Master's
degree: In looking at job postings and talking with people in the
field, I quickly discovered that a lack of educational credentials would
quickly eliminate me for consideration for the director or manager
positions I was seeking. An MLIS is necessary to become a certified public librarian and school of media librarian in New York State. Furthermore,
a Master's degree program exposes aspiring librarians to a multitude of
ideas, lectures, seminars and the opportunities to professionally
network with leaders in the field, which might otherwise be
inaccessible.
Yes, a master's degree in librarianship is an investment, and like
many investments, you are not guaranteed a certain salary or position
upon graduation. This degree usually does not make its recipients
millionaires. However, a Master's degree in Library and Information
Sciences provides a set of skills in information literacy, and great
opportunities for graduates who work hard and are willing to be
nontraditional and innovative. There are opportunities and benefits to a
Master's in Library and Informational Sciences degree which the
statistics do not accurately reflect.
SOURCE: here
__._,_.___
To visit your group on the web,go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/libtech/
************************************************************
Dear Professionals;
Your contributions in this forum will indeed generate a valuable source of information that can contribute to the generation of new ideas and the collection of concrete experiences on how to face professional challenges.
Please note down this information:
To Subscribe on your Mobile: Send SMS to 9870807070 with text " ON libtechsms".
mail commands are:
Post message: libtech@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe: libtech-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: libtech-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
List owner: libtech-owner@yahoogroups.com
Thanking you in advance
Moderators
Your email settings: Individual Email|Traditional
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group
|
Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use
|
Unsubscribe
__,_._,___
--
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.
