Unsure about Graduate School? Get a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science!

Do you frequent libraries, museums, and historical institutions?

Do you enjoy collecting, organizing, and managing information and data?

Are you technology literate and enjoy assisting others with technology and research needs?

Do you consistently browse the web for technology, media, and news updates?

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, a master’s degree in library and information science (MLS) is the key that will unlock your door to success! An MLS degree can take you to an exotic country or keep you in your own hometown.

You are probably wondering, “What is library and information science?”

Library and information science is the study of how to search, gather, and organize information. Along with learning the basic library positions and their functions, such as collection development, cataloging, reference, and library management; library and information science also provides courses in web design, archiving, rare book collections, digital collections, genealogy, database searching, and research.

The MLS degree is exceptionally versatile. It does not require a specific undergraduate degree, so you can have a degree in psychology, politics, education...etc., and go on to get an MLS degree. Instead of a warehouse that stores books, libraries are evolving into gathering places where people come to seek out information through books, the Internet, and library programs. Librarians are no longer called “librarians.” Their titles are gradually changing to “information professionals” or “information specialists.” The growth of the Internet has created a dynamic change in the way libraries gather and store information. Electronic resources, open access resources, intellectual freedom, and censorship are topics that have become increasingly popular in the library and media in the past several years.

As I said, library and information science is the study of searching for and organizing information. The job market for MLS graduates is growing, and not all jobs are confined to a public library. If you want to narrow your career to a specific subject, such as law, science, or business, you may want to consider working in a special library or private institution that needs a subject based information professional. Museums, historical institutions, hospitals, and law firms are interested in graduates with an MLS degree because graduates are qualified to collect and organize vital information and manage databases. As you work closely in your desired career field, there are many opportunities to write and publish research articles, newspaper articles, and books on topics that may impact the information world. Related careers that use an MLS degree are curators, archeologists, and museum professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for library and information jobs is expected to grow by 8 percent between 2008 and 2018. Due to the large number of mature people working in library and information positions, many will retire within the next 10 years, which will create job openings for new and fresh MLS graduates. To read more about library and information work, click here.

I began my master’s degree in library and information science two years ago. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and had no direction or desire toward a particular career path. After working as a staff member at a university for two years, I became anxious and needed some direction in my life. I wanted to enroll in graduate school, but was not interested in furthering my degree in business. Business was not a passion, and I only completed a bachelor’s degree in it because it seemed practical. As an undergraduate, I was a student worker in the university library. I remember loving that job! I found out about the MLS degree from a former university library supervisor. I was instantly interested and enrolled in an MLS program in the fall of 2009. It has been two years, and now, I will be graduating with my MLS degree this December. I plan on using my MLS degree overseas. Many libraries in Africa and poor countries in Europe and Asia are in need of organized libraries and educated library professionals. My journey through the MLS program has given me the tools I need to create, organize, manage, and search for information. Above all else, this degree has taught me the importance of customer service and the knowledge and skills needed to assist those that do not keep up with technology. The advancement of technology is moving at a rapid pace and the skills and knowledge gained with an MLS degree can be invaluable to the library and information market.