Halfway Through My Degree

Posted January 28, 2025 by Erin Wood

Around this time last year, I had just begun my very first semester at SLIS. It is crazy to think about how I am now halfway done with my degree! In only a year, my life has changed so drastically, and I could not be more thankful for this program. With the more generalized courses under my belt, this semester I am taking more specific classes that focus on the areas of librarianship I want to explore in my professional life.

I am currently taking LIS-442 Establishing Archives and Manuscript Programs, which focuses on staff and program management within archives; LIS-476 Outreach and Advocacy for Cultural Heritage, focusing on the roles outreach and advocacy play within the operation of a healthy cultural heritage institution; and LIS-439 Preservation Management, which explores the foundations of preserving physical objects within cultural heritage institutions. Each of these classes cover an aspect of the field that I am really interested in, so I am excited for what is to come this semester.

When I first started this program, I thought I wanted to work in archives so I could work away from the public, but I quickly realized that was not the case. While years of working in customer service was exhausting, I developed a love for it, and I want to carry over what I have learned into my career in archives. I want to do my part in encouraging more people to interact with archival materials by helping to create user programs, exhibits, and events.

While it was unexpected, I am glad that my outlook on archives changed since last year. I think that’s a crucial aspect of going through school, learning what it is that you like. You don’t need to come into SLIS knowing exactly what it is that you want to get out of it, you’ll figure it out along the way.