Library Science as a Second Masters

[WriteAndKnit]

Hi y'all!

 

I've noticed that getting a job with *just* an MLIS can be difficult. Have y'all noticed any difference when someone already has a masters' degree (it'll be an MA in English, Rhetoric & Composition)? I'm particularly interested in research positions, and more specifically humanities research.

 

Researching/research assistance is much more fitting to my personality than most of my current cohort, who are predominantly teaching (and will continue to do so). 

 

Anyone with experience or anecdotes?

[avflinsch]

I think about 1/4 of my cohort already has a masters or a phd in another discipline, and is going for the MLIS as an extra edge in getting a better (or keeping a current) position.

 

[WriteAndKnit]

That's reassuring, avflinsch. 

 

I'm curious (thinking out loud, in general) how a previous/subsequent masters or phd in addition to an MLIS follows based on the path for the MLIS. School librarians vs. research librarians, for example.

[notdisgruntled]

I work in public libraries; this is anecdotal from the people I knew from library school and their success in getting jobs.  If you want to work in a departmental library at a big university, I think having another master's degree gives you a big leg up.  However, if you want to be an instructional librarian at an academic institution, I don't think it makes any difference.  None of my classmates who are now instructional librarians had any other master's degrees.  I have another former classmate who held a master's degree in religious studies of some sort and there were two divinity schools fighting to get her.

 

I knew a few people who had M.Ed degrees before coming to get their school librarian licenses, but there is such a media specialist shortage in my area that I don't think it necessarily gave them an edge in any way.

 

IMO it all really depends on what you want to do with the degree, and you should go into a MLIS program knowing exactly what you want to get out of it careerwise.  Sometimes achieving that career goal means having another master's; sometimes it means immersing yourself in work and volunteer opportunities that will give you a leg up on the (fierce) competition you will face when you are done.  Hope this helps!

[Sir Frankie Crisp]

Second masters degrees seem to be extremely valuable in special collections or subject specialists positions. I have seen some job postings that require both an MLIS and an MA in a relevant field. In my work, I spend time with archivists and rare book curators. Many of them have masters degrees or PhDs in addition to the MLIS.

[WriteAndKnit]

I'm getting this thread ready again -- I started applications today (the basic info; I still have a project to finish for this semester, then it will be time for various statements).

I'm applying to University of Washington, University of Denver, and Dominican University.

[kingsxrocks]

Interesting thread. I was wondering about this too. I've just been accepted to a bunch of archival / MLIS programs, and I already have an MA in Film Studies. I have a feeling because I already have the MA, I was accepted into more programs than I thought I would be.

[RoseRed]

Does anyone have an opinion about the dual degree program at NYU's Archives Dept. and Long Island University's MLS program? My concern is that there would be too much overlap and that--even though I would have two Masters degrees--I wouldn't really come out with a specialty to distinguish myself during the job hunt.