|
|
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 8/1/2009
Posts: 3
Points: 9
Location: Missouri
|
I have an MLS and an MA from an Ivy league college. When I apply for positions in some small colleges, especially community colleges, will this 2nd Master actually not help me to get the job, or even hurt my chance? Many positions do not even prefer a 2nd master's degree, so this may make me "overqualified," on the other hand, I do not have professional experience, they might want a person with more experience without advanced degree in subjects? Can anyone give me your opinions? Thanks a lot1
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Job Hunting Tips - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 1/4/2008
Posts: 103
Points: 309
Location: Cairo, Egypt
|
It will never hurt you to have a second degree. Many libraries require it. Of course experience is great, but you can get that. I know I've been able to apply for jobs because of my second degree. Even a degree in something common amongst librarians like history or English is useful, I think.
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 348
Points: 922
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
|
2nd or more graduate degrees in academia are rarely looked as making someone "overqualified". Most people in universities consider more and more degrees a positive as it makes you more prepared for a variety of needs.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/3/2008
Posts: 94
Points: 291
Location: kansas
|
You should probably look at the course work for the second degree to see what skills this education provides. Did you learn a language--that is always useful in a library, and more so in academe. Did working on this degree enhance your research skills in the subject area? Did it broaden your knowledge of how libraries are used by students? Can you make better decisions about what reference materials are good for undergraduates/graduate students? By considering how the degree can be used in a job today, you can offer these skills in your cover letter, or in an interview. It gives you a great boost to see how useful that education is, too.
|
|
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 5/21/2009
Posts: 8
Points: 24
|
I have a related question: As a current LIS student, I am trying to include networking events to my MLIS experience. I will be attending an event tomorrow, and will probably attend many more between now and the end of my program (in 1.5 more years). So I have been thinking about getting business cards to have handy for such events. Prior to beginning the MLIS program (actually, an M.I. program), I obtained an M.A. and an M.Phil. in the social sciences.
Question is, should I include those degrees in a business card? My focus while an MI student will be on LIS in general, and academic librarianship (reference) and/or special librarianship (gov. pubs) more specifically.
Any comments/suggestions/thoughts/advice/warning would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 348
Points: 922
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
|
I did not see any negatives to including the other degrees on the cards.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 3/3/2008
Posts: 94
Points: 291
Location: kansas
|
I would include the degrees on the cards. And, having cards is a very good idea. It makes is much easier to share your information in a professional way.
|
|
|
Guest |
