I would take yoga, because, in my experience, the most useful job skill you can have is flexibility.
Every technology has a finite lifespan, but unfortunately like our own lifespan, its term is usually impossible to forecast with accuracy. For that reason, I would suggest that you try to take some high level classes on algorithms, data structures, and project management. Of course, I think that Drupal is an excellent choice, and right now it is one of the most marketable skills on the planet. I came at this from the other direction. I was already achieving a modicum of success in the library technology world when I decided to get my MLIS. Cary On Fri, May 6, 2011 at 12:07 PM, Ceci Land <cl...@library.msstate.edu> wrote: > Hello everyone. The recent thread asking people what they would like to > learn if they had the time brought another question to my mind. If you were > looking to get into "this side" of the profession, what would you recommend > focusing on? > > IOW, suppose you were a current MLIS graduate student (that's me) who has a > techy sort of inclination. But also assume that your current job as > paraprofessional staff involves minimal computer skills, no programming or > scripting and this situation will not ever change. Imagine that you've taken > every programming and database class you can fit into your schedule, but you > realize that course work will only take you slightly beyond a beginner level > even if you make A's. (in an IS based program, not CS. I would have > preferred the CS route, but work could not accommodate the class/lab time > during the days) > > How would you choose to develop your skills from "baby" level to something > useful to the profession? Will developing projects on your personal time and > hosting them yourself be enough to get noticed when they day comes that you > graduate with your shiny new diploma? What core skills would you choose to > focus on? Would you give up a secure job with benefits to find an internship > that could really challenge your programming, web development etc. skills? > > I see many people on this list with very strong skills, but in the job world, > I don't see many 2nd string/entry level jobs that would allow someone to hone > their skills to the level I often see here. I've been thinking that I should > focus on further developing my abilities in: HTML/CSS of course, XML, XSLT, > PHP, and MySQL (because they're all readily available for someone to play > with despite not being employed in a systems department). It seems that > anything I can learn about metadata transformations/crosswalks and RDF would > be useful too. I also find some classification theories very compelling (ok, > I admit that colon classification really got my attention in my first MLIS > class) and found myself drawn to potentially being interested in taxonomies > and controlled vocabulary. I know nothing about Drupal, but I wonder if I > should include in my smorgasbord. How much is too much and where you y'all > recommend I put my energy? > > Any advice is greatly appreciated. The more specific the better. :) > Thx! > -- Cary Gordon The Cherry Hill Company http://chillco.com
