Background​

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Each academic year, several graduate assistantships are sponsored by the USF School of Information (USF SI). The iSchool seeks to recruit quality students to graduate study at USF, offer graduate assistantships to eligible students, and enhance the graduate learning experience. Awards are made on a competitive basis taking into consideration academic credentials, previous work experience, research capabilities, progress in graduate programs, and professional skills. Graduate students may be classified as Graduate Assistants (GAs), Graduate Teaching Assistants/Associates (GTAs), Graduate Instructional Assistants (GIAs), and/or Graduate Research Assistants/Associates. Graduate assistants may teach, conduct research, or perform other tasks that contribute to the student's professional development. USF SI Graduate Assistantships provides a competitive benefit package including a tuition waiver, bi-weekly stipend, and student health insurance.

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In Summer of 2022, I began working for the School of Information when I was appointed at 0.50 FTE (20 hours per week) as a Marketing and Communications GA under the Department Operations Manager, David Chapel. I was selected for this position based on my application, previous work experience, and interests. As a Graduate Assistant, I focused on marketing and communication efforts for the iSchool. I designed recruitment materials for events and promotion within the marketing and communication guidelines set by UCM (USF Central Marketing Team) and the School of Information. In addition, I reviewed the iSchool's website and assisted with the overall implementation of the marketing strategy to support the MLIS, MSIS, MSCIIS, and undergraduate programs. I also contributed to departmental publications including the bi-annual newsletter, new faculty announcements, SI news and events, press releases, and other items on the website.

 

Overall, I am incredibly grateful for my experiences as a graduate assistant. Although my work primarily focused on designing and creating the SI's bi-annual newsletter, I was also assigned other projects relating to website development, graphic design, department news, student resources, event planning, social media, and important announcements. The position also encouraged department involvement and professional development. While each assistantship is unique, my position in particular was highly collaborative and designed to be remote. This independent and flexible work schedule allowed me to enroll full-time in graduate courses and continue working at a public library. Thus, I was able to continue my graduate studies while also gaining experience in both academic and public settings.

 

Throughout the program, I completed various projects that connect to the requirements of my digital portfolio. The ePortfolio represents a culminating assessment of student learning based on the MLIS program’s learning outcomes and professional preparation for the field of library and information science. The portfolio itself is organized by the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOss) determined by the School of Information in accordance with the American Library Association (ALA) core competencies. Each goal is further broken down into the program's standards, paired with artifacts from the six core classes, specialty electives, co-curricular activities, and other learning experiences. Portfolio artifacts are selected to illustrate professional knowledge, knowledge, competencies, and application of program outcomes. I was able to include items I completed for my assistantship as supplemental artifacts in my portfolio, connecting my academic employment to SLOs and professional development. Through USF SI Graduate Assistantships, graduate students may document professional experiences that align with their interests and the department's needs.

 

In conclusion, it is an honor to be selected as a USF SI Graduate Assistant. This opportunity transformed my experience as a graduate student, developed my skills as an information professional, allowed me to network with other professionals in the field, and connected me to new resources. The USF SI Graduate Assistant Program is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, as the work involved directly supports students and the school at large. 

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Work Areas​

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Website Design

• ​Reviewed the iSchool's website metadata and wireframes to correct page properties

• Checked functionality of internal and external links

• Edited current content and published new items

• Created homepage rotator and designed slides to feature

• Developed new website pages (e.g., faculty profiles, research pages, news stories, newsletter archive)

• Monitored analytics of SI webpages and user activity

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Marketing Campaigns

• ​Created program and event flyers following CAS Marketing Guidelines and USF's brand kit

• Designed student resource guides (e.g., Student Resources: Recovering from Hurricane Ian *linked below under "Work Examples") 

• Planned and reviewed social media content before being posted (e.g., Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook)

• Collaborated with staff to create the iSchool's virtual booth for the 2023 iConference

• Designed marketing items and promotional materials (e.g., lanyards, keychains, stationary, magnets, bookmarks)

 

Other Publications

• ​Authored new faculty announcements, posted internally to the university and externally through listservs

• Created data spreadsheets for faculty, staff, and student use (e.g., SI publicity mailing lists, cybersecurity & intelligence studies conferences *linked below under "Work Examples")

• Published articles in the bi-annual newsletter

• Wrote department press releases

 

Department Involvement

• Attended SI and LIS faculty meetings as designated minute-taker

• Participated in faculty tenure-track searches (e.i., served as a student representative during candidate meetings and research talks)

• Planned conference materials and other events (e.g., iConference, MLIS 50th Anniversary Event, 2022 JCLC Conference)

• Attended iSchool events (e.g., 2022 Alice G. Smith Lecture, MLIS State of the Program)

• Interviewed faculty, alumni, and students for department publications

 

Completed Trainings & Professional Development

• University Content Management Systems (CMS) Training

 

Software

• Microsoft Teams

• ​Content Management Systems (CMS) (e.g., OU Campus, OMNI, Box)

• ​​Canva

• Adobe Spark

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Work Examples​

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Writing

• Student Resources: Recovering from Hurricane Ian

• News Release: USF iSchool Welcomes Two New Faculty Members

• Fall 2022 New Faculty Announcement

• SI Newsletter Vol. 1, No. 1

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Data Collection & Information Organization

• Cybersecurity & Intelligence Studies Conferences

• SI Publicity Mailing Lists

 

Graphic Design & Marketing

• Academic Program Flyers & Infographics

  • MLIS Program Flyer

  • MSIS/MSCIIS Program Flyer

  • HCPS Library Media Specialist Coursework Flyer

• Event Flyers

  • Alice G. Smith Lecture Flyer

• Website Homepage Rotator Images (www.usf.edu/si)

  • Welcome Back: Fall 2022

  • Dr. Vanessa Reyes

  • Dr. Natalie Greene Taylor

  • Follow Us on Facebook

  • Diversity Statement

  • 2022 ALISE Conference

  • 2022 Alice G. Smith Lecture

  • 2022 JCLC Conference