After my first term in the School of Library and Information Studies, I applied for the new, combined MBA/MLIS within the school of business, and was one of three students to be accepted in my second term. Coming into the MLIS I had experience in libraries, working as a page for over three years at the Alberta Legislature Library, but wanted to acquire expertise in management and quantitative analysis - skills I could not have gained from an MLIS alone. I was interested in the strategic and marketing aspects of libraries and wanted to gain additional practical skills to broaden my career prospects. For example, my interest in library and information studies extends to cultural museums and non-profits, due in part to my degree in Art History, where my skills from the MBA/MLIS are valuable.
Although I knew I would be gaining new skills in classes that were distinct from my BA, particularly in quantitative-oriented classes, the MBA also provided the opportunity to develop strong presentation, consulting, and liaison skills through numerous group projects that often involved working with real clients. Through these projects I also formed a strong bond with many classmates, making life-long friends. Both degrees are broad in nature, and I was able to choose electives that suited my interest and career aspiration. Further, the MBA is so much more than just the classes, as I had the opportunity to attend and help organize student committee events, including SLIS committee events, as well as take part in networking events and professional association meetings. I also had access to the excellent staff in the career management center staff that help students develop their personal brand, identify their strengths, weaknesses and areas of professional interest, and develop strong job application and interview skills.
Truly, taking two Masters degrees simultaneously, and participating in extra-curricular committees and activities, forced me to be adaptable, to quickly understand and excel in diverse topics and projects, and to further develop strong interpersonal, communication, and time-management skills. These transferrable soft skills will be beneficial in any future position. Even if my future positions do not draw upon the content covered in certain classes, I will certainly benefit from my business acumen and ability to liaison with professionals in other departments within the organization. As a three-year degree, it was beneficial to take the required courses with the incoming SLIS and MBA cohorts in my first and second years, respectively, so I could focus on each area of study. This structure, however, meant I completed my degree with the MBA cohort. I would recommend the MBA/MLIS if you have an interest in the business aspects of libraries, desire a challenge in terms of course content and self-exploration, and wish to differentiate yourself in the library and information profession landscape.