SJSU iSchool Virtual Convocation

GRADUATE PROFILE BACK TO GRADUATE PROFILES

Michael Alan Thompson

CONNECTIONS

GUEST BOOK

Jennifer Bousquet: Congratulations Michael!

Bryan Thompson: Michael, I've been impressed with you efforts to obtain your Master's while working, sustaining your wife, raising a family, and serving in the Church. I'm very proud of you, and know you will succeed in whatever you put your mind too. Love ya, Dad

Andrew Stevenson: Congratulations Michael! Obtaining a masters degree is no easy task, but you have done it. I wish you all the best as you continue in your profession.

Leanna Stevenson: Way to go!! What an awesome achievement! So proud of you.

Gwen Hamblen : Wow. That’s an awesome achievement. Congratulations. It’s not easy to do family homework and just life. So happy for you.

Aunt christy: Congratulations Michael!!! I’m sure Julie is so proud of you. It is hard to be a husband, father and student while holding a job.

Alyce Scott: Congratulations, Michael - and best wishes for much continued success!

Michael Alan Thompson

The degree of

Master of Library and Information Science

Virtual Convocation
2019

PROFILE

Current residence: Ogden, UT, US

I wanted to earn a masters degree because:

I chose to pursue a Masters of Library and Information Science because of the experiences I had in libraries both growing up and through out my undergraduate program. I knew I always wanted to help others find the information they were looking for, so a career in a library just made sense to me. As I began to look for jobs, I realized that I needed a more in-depth understanding of library science in order to truly succeed in my chosen career path. That is when I decided to take the necessary steps to begin the MLIS program at San Jose State University.

While earning my degree, my greatest supporters were:

Throughout the program, I had many different supporters that ranged from professors and fellow classmates to coworkers, friends, and family. However, by far, my greatest supporters were my wife and my two kids. My kids did their best to ensure I had the quiet I needed to complete assignments. They would also encourage me to complete assignments early so that I could spend time with them. My wife took on many duties while I have been in school including being the main financial support for the family for a time, ensuring I had plenty of quiet time to complete assignments, helping me to not procrastinate assignments, and putting up with me when I did procrastinate. I could not have completed this degree without her by my side throughout the process.

While in the program, I met classmates from:

Throughout the program, I was able to meet people from across the United States. I also was able to meet individuals from Canada, Switzerland, and Australia.

What I liked best about online learning was:

I enjoyed the fact that I could be in control of my school schedule. This allowed me to be able to attend family functions, get a job, and plan vacations without having to consider in-class time.

What I enjoyed most about my experience at the SJSU School of Information was:

I really enjoyed all of the professors I was able to have throughout the program. They all brought a unique perspective to the program and helped me to look at things in many different ways. I grew and learned so much from their knowledge and examples.

I plan to use my degree to:

My goal is to work in an archival setting or in a special collections department. I am really hoping that my degree will help me to obtain a supervisor/director position within an archives.

Now that I have completed the program, I'm most looking forward to:

I am most looking forward to not having the stress of schoolwork hanging over me most of the calendar year. I really want to spend more time with my wife and kids and also utilize the skills I have learned throughout the program.