I can clearly remember who planted the seed of doing a Masters in Information Studies in my head - it was one of my pharmacology tutors, probably thinking "Jill will never make it as a lab scientist". But how right she was on both counts. Turns out that pharmacology degree + MSc. Information Studies is a killer combination for pharmaceutical employers as it means you understand the scientific terminology but handle information rather than pipettes and chemicals. So that's what I did, with a year as a Graduate trainee in the Library at the (then) South Bank Polytechnic in London. I did my Masters at Sheffield University. I see they now offer an MA in Information Literacy or an MSc Information Management - looks like my course was a cross between the two. The course gave me a really good grounding in information retrieval and database management and I have used these skills extensively in my career. For me, the thorny question is whether to bother with Chartership. Would it really be worth the effort at this stage? I have managed very well without it thus far...views welcome please!
Showing posts with label CILIP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CILIP. Show all posts
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Thing 10 - Masters degrees, qualifications
I can clearly remember who planted the seed of doing a Masters in Information Studies in my head - it was one of my pharmacology tutors, probably thinking "Jill will never make it as a lab scientist". But how right she was on both counts. Turns out that pharmacology degree + MSc. Information Studies is a killer combination for pharmaceutical employers as it means you understand the scientific terminology but handle information rather than pipettes and chemicals. So that's what I did, with a year as a Graduate trainee in the Library at the (then) South Bank Polytechnic in London. I did my Masters at Sheffield University. I see they now offer an MA in Information Literacy or an MSc Information Management - looks like my course was a cross between the two. The course gave me a really good grounding in information retrieval and database management and I have used these skills extensively in my career. For me, the thorny question is whether to bother with Chartership. Would it really be worth the effort at this stage? I have managed very well without it thus far...views welcome please!
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Thing 7 - working the room...
The NHS libraries in the South West where I'm based do have a strong network that benefits the library community. Most of the day to day contact is through the LIS emails, but there are opportunities to meet up too. I have been able to attend meetings on Copyright, Marketing and a Christmas get-together and put faces to those email monikers.
I am a member of the regional "Circulation group" and "Trainers Group". The former tends to have webex meetings, but I have attended Trainers' Group meetings in person which has been useful.
I am an Associate member of CILIP and am fortunate in having the subscription paid by work. I have not been to any of the meetings yet - as others have noted, they do tend to be in London. However I find the newsletter of interest and if you are job seeking it is an expectation for many professional roles to have membership.
I am a member of the regional "Circulation group" and "Trainers Group". The former tends to have webex meetings, but I have attended Trainers' Group meetings in person which has been useful.
I am an Associate member of CILIP and am fortunate in having the subscription paid by work. I have not been to any of the meetings yet - as others have noted, they do tend to be in London. However I find the newsletter of interest and if you are job seeking it is an expectation for many professional roles to have membership.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)