Jen Ferguson
Meet Jen Ferguson
Name: Jen Ferguson
Age: 39
Marital Status: Married
Children: One child
Career Transition: Moving from scientist to library work
School: Syracuse University
Target: M.S. in Library and Information Science, 2008
Here's the truth about distance learning: You need a lot of self-discipline and excellent organizational skills to succeed with it.
That's what Jen F., a Syracuse University (located in Syracuse, N.Y.) online learning student says. She also says that it's easy to procrastinate when you undertake a distance learning degree.
"Unfortunately, it can be very easy to let school slide when 'real life' is there to distract you," she adds. "Nobody is after you to get things done; it all has to come from you."
The married mother of one was also surprised how accountable students in her online learning program area. Although the Boston resident is no stranger to higher education already having one graduate degree, she says online learning made it impossible to simply coast along without contributing much.
And then there's working with others.
"Logistically, it can be difficult to work in groups. Our professors love to assign group work. It's great practice, but can also be frustrating dealing with time zone issues, etc. when your fellow group members are spread out across the globe."
Even though working on her M.S. in Library and Information Science hasn't been easy, she wouldn't have it any other way.
Sounds like you've had a challenging but worthwhile distance learning experience. Many people may believe that online learning is easier—do you agree?
That is a really hard question to answer. Intellectually, no, definitely not. If anything, it might be a bit harder. I think it really comes down to the person.
You can be a genius but if you're not self-motivated and organized—if you're the kind of person who needs a fair amount of direction—distance learning probably won't be a good fit.
If you have a lot of discipline and are committed to school, you'll do well in an online course.
We talked about the hardships, so what are the more convenient aspects about your distance learning experience?
Going to school on my own time. Actually, there are many more specific deadlines to meet than I anticipated, but by and large, I still decide when to do my school work.
The flexibility of doing coursework when I can (though I still have plenty of deadlines to meet). Being able to work at my own pace. I'm a fast learner and I love being able to read ahead and it's also nice to be able to spend a little more time on trouble spots.
Why did you decide to go into library science?
I'm changing careers—I'm a scientist now—and for such a drastic career change, I pretty much need a degree to break into library work (especially the type of work I'd like to wind up doing after some experience).
Library work appeals to me because I like matching up people with the information they're looking for, and I've enjoyed teaching in non-traditional settings.
Why did you choose Syracuse University in particular?
There is a perfectly good library school about 15 miles from here. I certainly could've gone through a more traditional MLS program there. I applied to that school as well and got in, but the online program at Syracuse was absolutely my first choice.
I knew that while it would require a LOT of discipline, online learning would just be much easier to fit into the rest of my life than knowing I had to show up at classroom X at time Y every week.
Tell us a little bit about what your professors are like.
Most of the professors are very assiduous about their online courses. Some are not so involved. The less involved faculty can be frustrating, especially when they require a certain amount of "online presence" from each of their students when they are not often around themselves.
The professors have been very accessible. That is actually something that has surprised me a bit about distance learning; I might get a bit flustered speaking to a professor/in front of a class in person, but I find it quite easy and less intimidating online.
It seems to yield a lot more give and take than a traditional classroom environment. As a result of that, I've learned much more from my fellow students in online classes than I have in traditional classes.
What has been your favorite course so far in your program?
My favorite course thus far was IST 511, Introduction to the Library and Information Profession, which was actually not a distance course per se—it had a distance learning component, as well as a week-long residency requirement over the summer.
So all the new library students met and got to know each other a bit up at the Syracuse campus this summer. The two summer session classes met in person for a total of 10 days.
How did you do with the in-person learning component?
I was frankly skeptical of the residency, but it turned out to be a great class and a great chance to get to know the folks I'll be spending the next couple of years with.
There are still on-campus courses—short, intensive courses, mostly in summer—that distance students can take towards the degree. But you can graduate without ever setting foot on campus again, if you prefer it that way, which is a good thing for my classmates who are living far from campus, even in other countries.
Do you plan to pursue any more degrees?
I might do a Certificate in Digital Libraries through Syracuse after I finish my MS-LIS. We'll see.
How much is this degree costing you?
Eek. Er, let's see, probably close to $30,000 by the time I finish. I'm paying with a combination of things: tuition assistance, money earned through my current job, and mostly through student loans.
How did you approach your employer to pay for some of your schooling?
It was very easy, in my situation. My employer (a large university) will pay for any class (up to a yearly limit) that leads to a degree that you can demonstrate could lead to your employment at the college.
In my case, that was as easy as filling out a Web form that basically said "You hire librarians and archivists and such, and the MLS degree will allow me to fill those jobs." Done.
