About my college education: The first question we always get when asked about our course is "Ano yun?" and when we explain what it is, the next would be "ahhhh. may ganoon pala tayo". Library and Information Science has never been a separate course from the beginning of time. Sure, there have been librarians since libraries have been established (and surely, one or more of us have been telling the "kasingtanda na ni Ma'am ang library") but it has always been as a minor of some other field like education. With the introduction of LIS in the Philippines, I was more open-minded to the idea of male librarians (yes, there is now a Mr. Librarian) , the idea that not everything that can be searchable in Google or Wikipedia is reliable, and that digital media and traditional media need not overpower each other; they go hand-in-hand in providing good information.

While I cannot tell you what particular set of skills will make you succeed, one important thing about any education is to be open-minded to various ideas and opinions. Never go in a classroom full of ideas that you don't want to revise anymore or else you will never learn anything.

My current job: I am currently a licensed librarian working in the National Library of the Philippines under the Office of the Director

Am I using what I learned in college: More than the things they taught us back in college, I believe that we can never be truly prepared for the road ahead of us. But what I found useful is the way that they allowed us to have space to find out what we are capable of doing. And the added knowledge of accessing a lot of information sources for references to our papers, reports and projects really comes in handy when it comes to locating relevant information for work.

How long did it take to find a job: I didn't need to find a job because the jobs came to us.

Do I recommend studying Library & Information Science: I would defintely recommend everyone to take the LIS course, and it doesn't matter if you don't love books. That is an old concept we have long thrown away. As long as you love learning about new things, and possibly the means to get them, this course is for you! There is always a huge demand for librarians all over the world that instead of worrying that we don't have a job, we have the oppurtunity to select which job we like best. Also, the old notion that teachers and librarians don't get paid enough has long been abolished as well.

Why did I choose Library & Information Science: Out of curiosity. It is an unpopular and road-less-taken career, but have vast opportunities and non-material rewards. Has board exam too :)

About my college education: It is a road-less taken but definitely a service worth working for. Many do not realize what we do. We are stereotyped as grumpy people who file books. What we actually do is bringing the right information, to the right person on the right time (a thing Google cannot do).

There are the basics on librarianship as cataloging and indexing but these are all not easy to do because you always have to think your users and their ways of retrieving information. There are also areas of concentration like law librarianship and medical librarianship.

It is not really a math oriented course but rather involves a mixture of management, English, science and computer so passing the exam are not as difficult as you may think. You can also become a records doctor.

My current job: I'm a librarian of CCA Manila.
Generally in charge of the overall library and information management of the school.

Am I using what I learned in college: Only 10% is applicable to my job. That summarizes all the theoretical and application knowledge you learn. The rest like pakikisama and diskarte as what UP greatly honed on me are very useful.

How long did it take to find a job: Days.

Do I recommend studying Library & Information Science: BLIS is not the job if you wish to earn money, since it is a service oriented profession though it pays well too. But you get the chance to meet and serve different type of people. Have a little bit of everything and master your other fields of study without discarding your prior course.

Advice to people who are thinking of studying this course: Never underestimate the power of a librarian. They might say that we are outdated because of technology. But know this, as long as information exists, we will always be there. Even Google needs us (there are a lot of librarians in there). Plus, to be able to practice, you need a licensure examination

About my college education: Back in my college days, it was difficult as we have many laws and rules that should be memorized. But when you think deeper, the world of librarianship is worth it. You will find happiness when you assist people, especially when they show their appreciation to you.

At first I do not understand the value of library in the society but when I am studying this course I see the future of our society.


My current job: Library staff

Am I using what I learned in college: Definitely

How long did it take to find a job: 1 month

Do I recommend studying Library & Information Science: Yes, because the field of library science is great for me.

Why did I choose Library & Information Science: Honestly, they chose the course for me.

About my college education: KNOWING WHERE AND HOW TO FIND THE ANSWER is.
The most useful thing I learned is the use of Boolean term in searching. Cataloging materials is the most difficult for me.
Passing the exams was not difficult for me maybe because I really dedicated myself to study hard. Some classmates shift courses because they failed to pass the Cataloging subject :-)
For you to pass the course, you need to be thirsty of new things. You should always work harder after failure. Be patient and industrious at all times.

My current job: Academic librarian (one-man)

How long did it take to find a job: We don't find. We're found.

Do I recommend studying Library & Information Science: I highly recommend this course. When you have this course, you will not only have the profession; you will understand different professions.

Advice to people who are thinking of studying this course: Love your course and everything will follow. We are no longer boring. Build or focus on your special skills.

Why did I choose Library & Information Science: I shifted to this course because I was curious.

About my college education: Studying in this course was enjoyable. Especially with the Cool professors in the major subject. They teach students because they love to.

My current job: Library assistant in a high school library but I work as a one man Librarian.

How long did it take to find a job: Right after graduation.

Advice to people who are thinking of studying this course: Take this course because it's awesome and you can find a job easily.

Why did I choose Library & Information Science: Because initially, I took up Civil Engineering, and I find it way too difficult, and I need to move to another "degree" that somehow feels closer to it, without the perceived level of difficulty.

About my college education: I studied Library and Science at a point when I need to look for an alternative to my initial degree. I won't say it's difficult, but I can't say for certain if my heart was into it, at that time.


My current job: Call center agent.

Am I using what I learned in college: Not much. I'd say I used more of my innate skills than what I've learned in college. Although innate skills and the things that you learn aren't necessarily mutually exclusive.


How long did it take to find a job: I found a job relatively quickly. Also left it relatively quickly too.

Advice to people who are thinking of studying this course: If you're going to study something later in life, do it because your heart wants it, not because you want to please someone else.