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Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 1/19/2008
Posts: 3
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Location: Ohio
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Hi all,
I'm getting ready to apply for the Fall semester, and I wanted to get some opinions on Kent State's program. I live in Ohio, and Kent State's tuition is considerably cheaper than Pitt's. I like the online options of Pitt, and the program seems pretty prestigious. Kent State looks like they have wonderful, respected faculty, but I don't hear much about it (i.e. U.S. News doesn't mention it in their rankings.) Instead of relying on a list of rankings, I'd like to hear what others in the profession think of Kent State.
My main concern about Kent is that my sister got her MBA there, and when she moved out of state she had a difficult time finding a job because none of her potential employers had heard of Kent. I'm wondering if the same is true of Kent's MLIS - would I have a problem finding a job outside of Ohio with a Kent MLIS?
Thanks!
Kate
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Rank: Member
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Joined: 1/4/2008
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Location: Las Vegas, NV
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I don't think you'd have trouble getting a job with a degree from Kent... but I have to admit that I find the program to be a little lacking. Some of the classes I took seemed to be completely out of date and irrelevant to modern library work. I also hate to say this, but I thought the entire program was just too... easy. I sat through plenty of classes where I just found myself staring at the wall wondering why I was there.
Have you spoken with anyone who has gone to Pitt? I'd be sure to hear a first-hand account before making any solid decisions.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 181
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Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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lawriter wrote:I'm getting ready to apply for the Fall semester, and I wanted to get some opinions on Kent State's program. I live in Ohio, and Kent State's tuition is considerably cheaper than Pitt's. I like the online options of Pitt, and the program seems pretty prestigious. Kent State looks like they have wonderful, respected faculty, but I don't hear much about it (i.e. U.S. News doesn't mention it in their rankings.) Instead of relying on a list of rankings, I'd like to hear what others in the profession think of Kent State.
My main concern about Kent is that my sister got her MBA there, and when she moved out of state she had a difficult time finding a job because none of her potential employers had heard of Kent. I'm wondering if the same is true of Kent's MLIS - would I have a problem finding a job outside of Ohio with a Kent MLIS? Most potential employers could care less what school gave you your degree as long as it was accredited. The only thing the school name helps with is sometimes in conversation leading to networking. I would be more concerned if the graduates of a program were successful in the types of jobs I want to pursue. A potential employer is going to look more at what you learned and your experience you offer. I will say up front I teach as an adjunct for Kent. If you want school or children's it is highly respected. Other areas really depend on what you make of the course work and the opportunities available to you. Find graduates from both programs that work in the type of positions and libraries that interest you. See what they have to say.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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Rank: Newbie
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Location: New York
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I'm a Fasttrack student from the University of Pittsburgh and I highly recommend our program. This is my last semester. When I entered, the program was ranked # 3 in the nation by US News & World Reports. So if you can afford to choose a good program, then invest wisely. It will make a difference. Networking is key to finding a job and it doesn't hurt coming from a well respected institution either. Our cohort includes students from the Virgin Islands, so if they can do it, you can, too.
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