Blog: My Year as a Library and Information Services Management Student
I’ve just finished my first year of my Master’s degree which is a Library and Information Services Management degree. This course has been challenging but in a way that has pushed me further in my academic studies. It has allowed me to write various types of assignments that I have not had experience of writing before in my undergraduate degree. These experiences have shown me that I am capable of more than I thought of when it came to my academic studies and assignments and what I have achieved because of this over the past year.
by Rachel Colley
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| Rachel Colley |
I’ve just finished my first year of my Master’s degree which is a Library and Information Services Management degree. This course has been challenging but in a way that has pushed me further in my academic studies. It has allowed me to write various types of assignments that I have not had experience of writing before in my undergraduate degree. These experiences have shown me that I am capable of more than I thought of when it came to my academic studies and assignments and what I have achieved because of this over the past year.
Two of my favourite modules that I have had so far have been the Libraries, Information and Society as well as Leadership, Strategy and Change modules. These modules have both taught me in detail how the mechanisms of libraries work with the key different aspects along with how the management structure works within the library and information services setting as well. These modules have helped with bettering my knowledge of that world and has also allowed me to think deeper about what role in the library I would be most interested in pursuing as a career.
Since this course is a distance learning course, which requires me studying at home, I found the department to be very responsive when I had queries about the course. There were regular updates every week regarding the weekly work, assignments and the online classes and what to expect from them. Regarding the outbreak of COVID-19, I believe that the department has responded well to this and has kept in constant contact with us with updates about the University. They have also given us extra sessions to talk with tutors about the work if we had any worries regarding COVID-19. Overall, I think that the department has been very responsive and quick with messages and this has meant it has been quick and efficient to get issues sorted out quickly.
During my third year of this course I am planning to start looking for permanent work for after my course finishes. Initially I plan to look for a library assistant job at one of my local libraries whether that be public or academic. I do not have a detailed plan for my future but I have realised at the beginning and throughout this course that I would be interested in middle management. However, I do believe I need to be trained up to this level, which is why I am interested in becoming a library assistant, and also I believe I need to gain some more confidence before I apply for this role.
I would recommend this course if you have serious interest in this work area, whether that would be to start your career in it, which is the case for me, or to advance the current career you have already. Like I’ve stated previously, this course allows you to delve deeper into the workings of the library and information services work place and understand concepts that you would not have come across or, if you have from your work experience, you will be able to go into them in finer detail. It will also allow you to wonder what you want to focus on next in your career, whether that would be how to start it or how to advance it.
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