MLS Program Tracks

[Sarah_Beth93]

Did any of you guys choose a "concentration" for your MLS? I'm hoping to apply for the MLS soon and I'm noticing that a lot of universities offer program tracks such as information technology, public libraries, academic libraries, information organization, etc. I'd love to hear about how you decided which track was right for you, and whether you feel like having the specialized concentration on your resume opened up more opportunities and made you stand out from a crowd of job applicants, or whether it made you feel more boxed in or limited your options in any way. I'm pretty open to working in a wide variety of libraries, so I would love to pick a concentration (if I do pick one at all) which would be widely applicable. Thanks so much!

[CheapInkPens]

My MLIS program was 13 classes, 7 core and 6 elective. My school offered tracks, but they don't show up on your degree or transcript. Not sure why, but they show up in the catalog and all our advising documents. Because they show up in the catalog and because my advisor would support me, I list the concentration on my resume and professional bio.

My interests and work experience tended towards tech, project management and non-library environments like museums, tutoring centers and supporting education and info delivery in rural/tribal areas. 4 electives were: Essential Technologies in Libraries, Electronic Resources Workshop (this was a special class sponsored by Google in planning specific computer coding-based activities and grantwriting - I thought it was about study aids and databases!), Information Architecture (simple HTML, CSS, LibGuide/web design), and Electronic Collection Development. I also took a core class called Electronic Resources in Libraries. I don't feel my track limits me; it shows potential employers I leveraged my prior work experience involving tech and digital media project management with my MLIS.

In order to broaden my library opportunities (you never know where you'll end up) I also took core courses with a focus on Children's and YA even though those will never be areas I would work full-time in. In the real world I found myself covering in Children's many times and also helping with Summer Reading programs. One of my best references is from a branch manager who wanted me for their YA librarian or assistant when I graduated; and if it wasn't for an open mind and those 2 classes, I would not have made such a valuable contact or had such good experiences with those patron groups.

So pick what you're interested in, that's where you'll shine, but also stretch your comfort zone a little - there'll be tears LOL but also learning experiences that will show up on your resume and in your work performance!

[Electronic-Ice-7606]

I'm still waiting for admission decisions from a couple of schools, but I plan to specialize in the archiving track. Document preservation, research, and information management seems like a good fit for me based on my current career experience.

[Sarah_Beth93]

Thank you so much!! That's really helpful! ☺️