Start Date
18-11-2020 1:30 PM
End Date
18-11-2020 3:00 PM
Type of Work
Poster
Description
Objective
Mirroring the start of my graduate program, which began with a hurricane evacuation, this year has required me to be flexible and persevere in the face of new circumstances. The technology and communication skills I have developed as an online MLIS student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) helped me adapt to remote professional participation as necessitated by COVID-19 and will help me navigate the future employment landscape. Here, I will share my experiences and my perspective on how to authentically connect with one another remotely.
Methods
I am currently living in Charleston, SC while taking classes toward my MLIS in a program that was fully virtual prior to the pandemic. I started in fall 2019 and will be graduating in spring 2021. In August, I attended MLA '20.
Results
As UIUC was already using Zoom when the spring 2020 semester started, I became experienced using it. I was then comfortable attending the MLA '20 virtual events and social activities. After the meeting, I used email to follow up on connections I made and conducted informational interviews. Throughout, several strategies helped me feel more connected to my fellow students and enabled me to get to know people in the field of health sciences librarianship. Some of my recommendations are to always upload a profile picture, utilize direct messages, use the microphone when possible, and arrive early in order to make conversation.
Conclusions
In addition to becoming prepared for future remote work, as a result of this experience I am a strong believer in the potential of online education to increase access to information, and I aim to learn how to provide high-quality virtual educational experiences.
Come COVID or High Water: How Being an Online MLIS Student Prepared Me for Virtual Professional Participation During COVID-19
Objective
Mirroring the start of my graduate program, which began with a hurricane evacuation, this year has required me to be flexible and persevere in the face of new circumstances. The technology and communication skills I have developed as an online MLIS student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) helped me adapt to remote professional participation as necessitated by COVID-19 and will help me navigate the future employment landscape. Here, I will share my experiences and my perspective on how to authentically connect with one another remotely.
Methods
I am currently living in Charleston, SC while taking classes toward my MLIS in a program that was fully virtual prior to the pandemic. I started in fall 2019 and will be graduating in spring 2021. In August, I attended MLA '20.
Results
As UIUC was already using Zoom when the spring 2020 semester started, I became experienced using it. I was then comfortable attending the MLA '20 virtual events and social activities. After the meeting, I used email to follow up on connections I made and conducted informational interviews. Throughout, several strategies helped me feel more connected to my fellow students and enabled me to get to know people in the field of health sciences librarianship. Some of my recommendations are to always upload a profile picture, utilize direct messages, use the microphone when possible, and arrive early in order to make conversation.
Conclusions
In addition to becoming prepared for future remote work, as a result of this experience I am a strong believer in the potential of online education to increase access to information, and I aim to learn how to provide high-quality virtual educational experiences.