Conclusion

Conclusion

Creating this ePortfolio was a long-term assignment that started two and a half years ago. I listened to the advice of my peer mentor and instructor from my very first class in the program (INFO 203) and kept a running document that was updated at the end of each semester. With this course planner, I was able to track my progress through the program and logged my assignments that I could use as evidence for this ePortfolio. While I didn't keep the best planner and did forget to save a discussion post here and there, having the course planner helped tremendously and easily saved me a few gray hairs while collecting and deciding which assignments to use for the respective competency.

In my final semester, I was selected to be a peer mentor for INFO 203 and was able to share my knowledge and experience with students starting the program. It was a tremendous experience that allowed me to grow personally and professionally, while at the same time providing advice to new students. I am happy to report that through my own experience as a peer mentor, I shared with my students the value of keeping track of assignments and hopefully placed all of them on the path to success in the program and eventually as information professionals.

Throughout this program, I was able to better identify my areas of strength and any areas that needed improvement. I learned that I genuinely enjoy helping others, have much better communications skills than I realized, and know quite a bit about technology in a professional setting. Consequently, I learned that my research skills, while quite efficient, weren't up to par in an academic setting. Thankfully, that was rectified by the vast amount of research required for the program. I am now able to conduct exhaustive research, incorporate literature reviews, and discuss at length various research methodologies to employ.

As Socrates once said, "the only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing." Learning is a lifelong process, and even with everything I have learned throughout this program, I know that I will continue to study different topics in LIS. Technology will not let us rest on our laurels, and it is absolutely necessary that I keep up to date on new trends, methodologies and technology, especially since I plan on pursuing web development or digital preservation and archiving. I have taken several web development, computer programming, digitization and preservation courses, and it has only increased my appetite to learn more about them and pursue it professionally.

I will continue to learn about different cultures and expand my personal learning network by attending professional conferences, participating in webinars and network with information professionals around the world. I had a small sample of this last summer when I attended the American Library Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. I was able to learn more about the profession and explore how many of the lessons I was learning were applied in the field.

I want to thank all my professors, administrators and fellow students for making this a truly incredible experience. I have learned so much and have engaged in illuminating conversations that helped guide me through the program. Finally, I also would like to express my deepest gratitude to our now former-Director of the iSchool, Dr. Hirsh. I would not have been in a position to be able to complete this program without her encouragement and assistance in securing a scholarship from the Reaching Those Who Served research project.