Why a Librarian?
I came to the University of Washington to pursue a Masters of Library and Information Science (MILS) in September 2008. I have many reasons for becoming a librarian, but here are my top ten reasons :
1. I love helping people.
2. I like a lot of different things.
3. I love libraries.
4. I like computers and books.
5. I am a researcher at heart.
6. I love reading.
7. I am a good navigator.
8. I like quiet and loud places.
9. I want to improve access to information services for Native American communities.
10. Librarians save the world one person at a time.
Why the University of Washington?
As an undergrad student I worked at the University of Arizona libraries. One day at work some Knowledge River graduate students encouraged me to consider becoming a librarian.
After studying abroad in Germany my junior year, I decided I would apply to MLIS programs. My senior year I applied to all the top library programs and the University of Arizona. I love Arizona, but when I came to visit UDubb a Native PhD. student in information science, Miranda, encouraged me to choose UW. Miranda, said that she would take care of me. I listened to her advice and came to UW because I wanted to learn more about the work of Dr. Cheryl Metoyer. I also came because of Cynthia del Rosario. Cynthia negotiated and secured funding through GOMAP for me and the iSchool awarded me the Sylvia Finley Fellowship. The Gila River Indian Community also supported me financially through graduate school.
Grad school has not been easy, but the support from faculty, PhD. students, and fellow classmates has made all the difference. I am inspired by the work of Dr. Metoyer, the iSchool’s crew of indigenous women PhD. students. Their commitment to information services for Native communities encourages me on my journey. I miss my home in Arizona, but the engineering library at UW is my home away from home. I am thankful for this opportunity to become a librarian and I know that this decision is one I will never regret.
After studying abroad in Germany my junior year, I decided I would apply to MLIS programs. My senior year I applied to all the top library programs and the University of Arizona. I love Arizona, but when I came to visit UDubb a Native PhD. student in information science, Miranda, encouraged me to choose UW. Miranda, said that she would take care of me. I listened to her advice and came to UW because I wanted to learn more about the work of Dr. Cheryl Metoyer. I also came because of Cynthia del Rosario. Cynthia negotiated and secured funding through GOMAP for me and the iSchool awarded me the Sylvia Finley Fellowship. The Gila River Indian Community also supported me financially through graduate school.
Grad school has not been easy, but the support from faculty, PhD. students, and fellow classmates has made all the difference. I am inspired by the work of Dr. Metoyer, the iSchool’s crew of indigenous women PhD. students. Their commitment to information services for Native communities encourages me on my journey. I miss my home in Arizona, but the engineering library at UW is my home away from home. I am thankful for this opportunity to become a librarian and I know that this decision is one I will never regret.