At the tender age of 35, I’ve decided to pursue my Masters Degree in Library & Information Science. It took me a long time to make this decision. Thoughts of “it’s too late”, “how will you work, be a good mother, and succeed in school” and “why did you wait so long”; has haunted me for the past two years. I now know that receiving an ALA approved Masters of Science Degree in Library & Information Science from Drexel University’s online program will help catapult me to the next phase in my life. My goal in pursuing this degree is simple; I want to enjoy going to work each and every day.
After 15 years of working full time in the public and private sectors, I have learned several valuable lessons. The most important lesson is that the happiest people are usually those who enjoy what they do for a living. As a researcher at heart, the Masters of Science in Library & Information Science Degree at Drexel University was designed specifically for a person like me. Seeking information is my passion. I enjoy researching hard bond, microfiche and online sources. I am more energized when I am searching for information and finding new ways of expediting that process. I constantly volunteer for research projects at work. People call me from all over to research various topics that they don’t have the patience to research themselves.
I had the pleasure to work for Wolters Kluwer CT Corsearch for four years as a Trademark Researcher/Analyst. Those were the most productive, enjoyable, exciting and demanding years of my professional career. I was given the opportunity to challenge myself and learn more than 3 research software packages and over 5 different research databases. I reveled in learning new research strategies and query writing techniques. I worked long hours and was thrilled to wake up everyday and do it all over again. Each search was different. What I enjoyed the most was discussing my search strategy with a client and explaining to them how my queries would produce more valuable results for their specific needs. As the top producing Analyst in my division, I was given a tremendous amount of responsibility. I had the opportunity to assist the I.T. Department with the design of the research software currently used by the Vigilance division. Furthermore, I was responsible for the division’s high profile client accounts, writing all the queries and creating all batches. I partnered with the Sales division on contract re-negotiations and assisted new clients with understanding the company’s product line. In addition, I trained all new Analysts in the Vigilance Division on not only the practical side of trademark research but also the philosophy behind trademark research to provide a better understanding of our client needs.
It’s been over three years since I left CT Corsearch to pursue what I thought were better career opportunities. However, I realize that I am a researcher and I need to pursue a degree that will enhance my natural talent in this field. In my search for the perfect program I learned that my home state of Georgia did not offer an ALA approved MLIS program. I was compelled to look into an online ALA approved MLIS program. Fortunately, Drexel University has all the attributes I am looking for in an online MLIS program. I believe that Drexel University will provide me with the necessary academic training needed to succeed as an internet content librarian at one of the large legal research software companies i.e. Lexis-Nexis, Saegis or Dialog, or as a data and knowledge management specialist at a Federal Agency.