This page was created by Curtis Fletcher.  The last update was by Sarah Tribelhorn.

Sarah Tribelhorn Portfolio

Conclusion

The capstone project in LIM 598: Capstone (LIM 598) of my Master of Management in Library and Information Science (MMLIS) at the University of Southern California (USC) allowed me to critically reflect on my journey through the program. This was a positive experience, highlighting and consolidating knowledge and information gained throughout the program. When I entered the MMLIS, I had some idea about how I could use my previous experience as a scientific researcher and editor in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS), but did not have the tools or skills to be able to clearly articulate this. The courses that I have taken throughout the program have provided insight into how I can use my previous experience with updated knowledge to provide information literacy skills in higher education institutions. Each of the courses has honed my skills and critical thinking, which has resulted in more clarity as to my potential career path going forward. The capstone project allowed me to reflect in detail on each of the program goals through the MMLIS, understanding how various assignments contributed to knowledge transfer of these goals, and ultimately enabled me to articulate skills and knowledge gained through the program that will support a professional LIS career in a higher education institution.

Following the Action Plan

Having a detailed plan of action allowed me to carefully allocate the time I had available during the week to meet deadlines in a timely manner and stay on task. In the original plan, I had included some flexibility to allow for deviations that could arise, especially when completing the Program Goals assignment, understanding that this assignment could be challenging in terms of time. Throughout the course, I planned each week carefully, and followed through with the plan. The most significant amount of time was allocated to the Program Goals assignment, but I spent more time at the beginning of this assignment, finding and organizing relevant artifacts, so that I could focus on the reflection with relative ease. In addition, the flexibility I built into the Action Plan permitted me to focus on assignments before their due date, such as the Job Search assignment, allowing me to authentically prepare for the job market prior to the end of the MMLIS Program.

Capstone Project Highlights

Completing each of the Program Goals and realizing my personal growth throughout the program was one of the highlights of this project. On reflection of each goal, I realized how much I had learned in terms of both skills and knowledge, and how I can now clearly articulate and use this knowledge in a LIS career. A further highlight was learning how to adequately prepare for the job market, learning to adequately analyze job descriptions, write appropriate and targeted cover letters, as well as clearly presenting my Curriculum Vitae. In addition, through this process of analyzing various job descriptions, I realized that my passion lies in STEM LIS career opportunities, and that I am now adequately prepared for this career path. In addition, further highlights include clearly articulating my statements of Professional Philosophy and Diversity. These assignments helped me to reflect on my role as an informational professional, as well as my contribution to diversity and my role in enhancing diversity going forward. Finally, a major highlight is seeing my work professionally presented in an e-portfolio that can be revised and updated as needed throughout my career!

Capstone Project Challenges

The major challenge I found during LIM 598 was identifying appropriate artifacts to highlight attaining an understanding of each of the program goals. This took considerable self-reflection and analysis, to understand how each assignment met each program goal.

Advice for Future MMLIS Program Cohorts

Based on my experience, I would suggest that all assignments and discussions from the very beginning of the MMLIS program are carefully archived and stored, with labels that make them easily identifiable to specific program goals. In addition, at the end of each semester I would suggest reflecting on the course, going through the program goals articulated in the course description, and identifying assignments related to these, even preparing some notes that would be helpful in the capstone project.