I am the first in my family to earn a masters degree and only the second to earn a bachelors degree. I feel a huge sense of accomplishment in this. Also, I wanted a masters so that I could enhance my employment and career options, Last but not least, I love to learn, and I believe education improves quality of life. I wanted to show my children that education is important for that and other previously mentioned reasons.
While earning my degree, my greatest supporters were:
A big thank you to my wife, Emma, and our children Dalton, Maylee, and Eleanor. I couldn't have done it without you, and I love you! Also, thank you to my extended family and co-workers who also supported and encouraged me.
While in the program, I met classmates from:
I met classmates from as close as just another town away to as far as Lebanon. I absolutely loved having such a diverse group of fellow students to work with. The diversity of thought brought the educational experience to a higher level.
What I liked best about online learning was:
I was intimidated at first to do online learning. However, I found it just as enjoyable and effective as any classroom setting I've been in. I was just as academically challenging, and it provides the opportunity to associate with a more diverse group students and faculty.
What I enjoyed most about my experience at the SJSU School of Information was:
What I enjoyed most about my experience at the SJSU School of Information was mutual love for learning, support, and respect I felt from my fellow students and from the faculty. All ideas, beliefs, and backgrounds were respected. There was a feeling of camaraderie and that we are all in this together. I felt that the faculty were genuinely interested in my success both as a student and professional. I felt the same respect and support from my classmates. I didn't just see it as taking classes-I saw it as a collaborative and exciting community.
I plan to use my degree to:
I plan to use my degree to be an asset in whatever library environment I work in as well as for my family and community. I want to teach my children the importance literacy, the love of reading and learning. I want to help my community understand the importance of having a robust library and having free and equal access to information.
Now that I have completed the program, I'm most looking forward to:
I'm most looking forward to working in the field of librarianship. I currently work at one of the largest genealogical libraries in the world in the collections department, and it is a great experience. I am also currently running to be a board member of my local public library. I hope to gain experience in other settings such as public and academic libraries. Most of all, I want to help people. I want to help them help themselves, whether its for self-improvement or just for fun. Both are important. I want to advocate for more support of the library within my own community.
