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November 21, 2007
There Are Some Things You Can't Learn on the Internet...
I've received a lot of questions lately on distance learning and its place in our program. For many people, life can't stop for graduate school, and so moving or quitting your job aren't options. Unfortunately, the School of Information has not yet created any official opportunities for distance learners.
Although I can't give any official University of Michigan reasons for this, I can think of a few reasons myself. Perhaps its just the way this program is set up, with such an emphasis on networking, discussion, group work and other interactive, but now that I'm knee-deep in the program, I'm happy to be spending my time on campus. So my advice to any prospective SI student is this if you think that this is the school for you, make campus your second home.
Here are a few things you don't want to miss out on:
1) Interacting with your peers.
If you are going to build the social network that will serve as an invaluable resource throughout your career, you need to meet people. And what better way than by spending 12-25 hours of your week in the trenches with them? In particular, you'll find that though you might not have class with some people, you always end up in the student lounge at the same time. One of these days, you'll end up talking and realize that your program is rich with interesting people. Anyone here will tell you, your peers are one of your greatest resources here at SI.
2) Student Groups
On top of offering a professional network and a heads up on certain scholarship, internship, and job opportunities, student groups are an excellent way to get involved, learn more about topics that interest you, and most importantly, to get practical advice from older students. Also, student groups often set up field trips, community service opportunities, or other ways to get some interesting experience under your belt.
3) Happy Hours (i.e. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy)
At the beginning of the year many groups (often consisting of benevolent second-year students) will organize unofficial SI outings so that they (and shy first-year students) can relax, get to know each other, and have a good time. They become more scarce as we become more familiar with each other and work begins to pile up, but my recommendation to anyone who'll listen is to attend at least one of these events.
The MSI program just isn't the type of place where you can find the answers on your own. You need to learn from the people around you. It's just too social, too fun, too dynamic to be completed from anywhere but right here. So if you think SI is the right place for you, then take the leap.
-Megan
Posted by messelti at November 21, 2007 02:45 AM