SILS alumnae have tended to seek continuing education opportunities that contribute to incremental technical and professional growth. The first of these categories has been of particular interest to IS graduates, and these alumnae have shown a marked interest in acquiring additional programming skills and computer competencies related to particular applications and systems. These include C and C++ programming languages, JAVA script, and UNIX. In order to pursue these interests, they have taken advantage of local community college courses, professional development opportunities provided by their employers, conference programs, and vendor training. Two of the alumnae have also shown interest in developing management skills, and there has been some interest in improving written and spoken communication.Examples of some of the topics pursued include:
- Project Management, Learning styles, Visual Basic, C
- Competitive Analysis Techniques, Personal research and writing activities
- Management courses, Specific application courses (e.g., Lotus Notes)
- SAVA programming, UNIX, SAP, Networking
- Linus installation class, Avid editing
- C, C++, Javascript, TCL, Perl, shell scripting
- Persuasive Business Speaking
Several spoke of attending conferences and professional meetings. They obtained new knowledge primarily through their employers; several mentioned community college classes; one identified a professional association and another said "self-taught."
LS alumnae have also shown an interest in developing additional technical competencies, and they have taken advantage of opportunities to improve their knowledge of programming languages, operating systems, and web development tools. They have also shown a strong interest in adopting new library technologies and tools, such as NC live, and sharpening their information retrieval skills. Although many of the responses are non-specific, approximately half make reference to activities related to computers, systems, and telecommunication technologies. A much smaller, but significant, number have used continuing education opportunities to improve their management skills.
Specific responses identifying topics included:
- Beginning Italian
- Rare book cataloging
- Grant-writing, Management, Reference, Copyright, Internet, Electronic resources
- Computer-related courses
- Software workshops
- Novell 4.11, Internet training
- Technology and collection development
- C programming, Networks, Unix basics
- Statistics, Foreign language classes, Networked resources, Cataloging,
- Internet, Basic programming
- Computer courses, Curriculum, Liberal Arts courses
- HTML workshops, Spanish, Training on databases, Legislative procedure
- Preservation of library materials, Internet resources
- Harvard Graphs, Lotus, web design
- MS in Economics, working on doctorate in business administration
- STN searching
- Encoded archival description, Automating finding aids, Presentation skills, Metadata, Editing historical documents
- Beginning sign language
- Dialog workshops
- DOS file system, Unix Sysadmin, xml
- Online business resources
- Solinet, Diaglot, NC LIVE
- NC LIVE, Grant writing workshops
- MA in English in progress, Computing networking, Management, Computer applications
- Management, Grant-Writing
- SIRSI courses, Computer training
- Master's of English Literature, Customer service, Training for Caregivers, Children's literature
- STN, Dialog, Pharmaceutical industry related workshops
- Business reference
- Technology software instruction
- Specialized database searching, Clinical course in health related topics
- Diversity training, Database maintenance, Newsletter design, Grant writing
- HTML, Internet searching for children, Novell networking
- Spanish
- Medical Informatics Course, School for scanning, MLA CE courses
- Dynix Systems administrator, Unix/Universe Systems administrator,
- Management in public sector
- Bibliographic instruction
Professional associations, employers, state libraries, and colleges have played an important role in providing these continuing education opportunities. Close to 40% of the LS alumnae mention ALA, PLA, MLA, or other professional associations when describing their training activities. About 25% mention conferences. Some also mention state libraries; several indicate that SILS' INFOTOGO workshops and other university-sponsored events have contributed to their continuing development. Institutions of higher learning have played an additional role, with a small number of alumnae indicating that they have completed language, literature, and social science courses at the college level.
Revised 9/26/99