by Ryan Nitz, Head Editor, INALJ Alaska

eSociety: a new undergraduate program of study

My alma mater, The University of Arizona, has introduced a new undergraduate program of study (major or minor) that could be of interest to those planning for a career in libraries and information centers. The program, called eSociety, will live in UA’s School of Information Resources & Library Science (SIRLS), but will feature interdisciplinary training from other schools in the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, as well as the School of Information: Science, Technology, and the Arts (SISTA).

The program’s aim is to prepare students to work in an ever-increasingly interconnected, interdisciplinary, and virtual workplace. It looks like coursework will revolve around programming, communication, journalism, and LIS. It’s an exciting idea to me, and a program like this could provide a leg-up for those contemplating or planning to enter graduate LIS study. After all, when you’re looking for opportunities in a tough job market, anything you can do to distinguish yourself (in a positive way, that is) from the zillion other applicants for a position (or scholarship opportunity, or spot in a program) is a good idea.

Even if you’re not a student at UA, or interested in becoming one, the idea behind this program can serve you well. Wherever you are, you can look for courses to take in programming, social media applications, journalism, communication, etc., to bolster your CV and expand your abilities. It seems like all organizations are trying to do more with less these days, so the wider your potential impact, the more attractive a candidate you’ll likely be.

If you’re interested in the eSociety program, you can read more about the program here.

Happy hunting!