Advising for MLIS Graduate Students 

Web Advising Support

The iSchool provides online tools and resources for MLIS and MSIM students so that advising may be one click away on the web. Many questions may be answered by referring to the iSchool website, for example:

MLIS Online Advising Resources

Professional Academic Advising

The main form of advising support for MLIS students comes from professional academic advisors in the iSchool Student Services office. With over 10 years advising experience on the UW campus, the academic advisor is the best source for students to navigate through UW, Graduate School, and iSchool policies and procedures.

MLIS Academic Advisor: Marie Potter, mardup@uw.edu, 206-616-2544, MGH 470B
MLIS Program Assistant: Sharon Talbert, stalbert@uw.edu, 206-616-2550, MGH 470

Here is a list of common items on which to consult your academic advisor:

  • How to register for courses
  • Degree plans and course suggestions
  • Information on culminating experience (i.e., Capstone) options
  • Establishing internships and fieldwork
  • Career preparation such as resume development, interviewing and networking tips, etc.
  • Policies and procedures at the UW, Graduate School, iSchool, or degree program level
  • Filling out forms and paperwork
  • Approval of transfer credits, out-of-school courses, etc. (academic advisor will facilitate this via the program chair)
  • Navigating through other UW offices/services (i.e., Financial Aid, International Programs, etc.)
  • Other general academic advising needs

Students are encouraged to seek out the assistance of their academic advisor at any time via email, phone, in-person appointments, or established virtual office hours. Academic advisors will often send out announcements and check in with you throughout the quarter. There is no set requirement that a student check in with their academic advisor on a regular basis; the advising relationship is on an ‘as-needed’ basis, which means that some students will have frequent contact, while others will have minimal. The advisors are flexible to your needs.

Engaging With Faculty

Starting in 2009 graduate students are no longer assigned to one faculty advisor. The goal is to allow open communication with any faculty member of choice, and not limit a student to one pre-assigned advisor. In addition, much of the information a student would seek out from a faculty advisor may be found on the web, acquired from outside professional networks, or may be asked of the iSchool’s professional academic advisors.

Students are encouraged to build relationships with many of the iSchool faculty by visiting them during office hours, inquiring about their research or areas of knowledge, talking with them about the classes they teach, or attending any of their speaking engagements/presentations.

A list of faculty members may be found at www.ischool.uw.edu/people/facdirectory.aspx. You can also learn more about their research at www.ischool.uw.edu/research/default.aspx.

Peer Advising

A popular method of advising that has developed organically at the iSchool is peer advising. Many student groups host meetings where they discuss suggested course choices, research areas, professional development, etc. Sometimes the best advice can be passed on from student-to-student. One suggestion is if there is advice shared on any policy or procedure, that students verify the facts via the online advising resources or the program’s academic advisor. Get your tips and hints from each other, and remember to double-check for accuracy.

A list of student groups may be found at www.ischool.uw.edu/people/organizations.aspx.

Professional Organizations and Mentors

Students are encouraged to join professional organizations as soon as they begin their degree program. Professional organizations offer career development support, insight into the field, and mentorship from other members. If you don’t have a specific area of interest yet, join a wide range of professional organizations that will help you learn more about different fields.

A list of professional organizations may be found at www.ischool.uw.edu/resources/career/networking.aspx.

In addition to joining professional organizations, students are encouraged to make the most of their mentor relationships established via internships or fieldwork. At the students’ internship/fieldwork host site they will be provided with a mentor to serve as their host site supervisor; this takes place typically after the first year in the program. Take the time to not just ask your mentor about the internship/fieldwork responsibilities, but also elevate the relationship to the next level with questions on how to succeed in the field, what advice the mentor may have for you on your professional development, what the day-to-day experience is like for someone in their position, etc. Start building these positive relationships with professionals in the field as soon as possible. Networking is integral to a student’s future success and eventually placement into the ideal position in a company/organization.