[image1-right]Before she had even graduated, GSLIS's Instructional Technology and Design Office hired Aisha Conner-Gaten to join their team. Now she's putting the skills she learned as a GSLIS student to work in support of current students and faculty who connect via the LEEP program and the Moodle course management system.
Where do you work and what is your role?
I work in the GSLIS Instructional Technology and Design Office as the computer assisted instruction specialist. This means that I provide technical support for the LEEP program and the GSLIS course management system called Moodle. I also assist the GSLIS community with events and media related to Blackboard Collaborate. In addition to technical support, I provide academic support for our adjunct faculty, connecting them to our campus and keeping them informed about emerging instructional tools and trends. Let's say I have gotten very good at writing succinct e-mails about very complicated ideas!
What do you like best about your job?
I have always enjoyed being an active part of the GSLIS community. After graduating last December, being able to assist students, faculty, and staff with pretty much any technical questions they have is continuously rewarding. I learn something new every day and have the opportunity to work with our wonderful faculty and staff on a variety of projects. I also am able to be truly involved in the growth of our programs and School on a daily basis.
How did GSLIS help you get to where you are today?
My graduate degree at GSLIS not only prepared me for my current position in Instructional Technology and Design but assisted me in the often difficult transition from student to new professional. Our program offers both practical and theoretical coursework that I use daily for everything from web communications work to media editing. It is always surprising how much reference and instruction you use in nontraditional information positions!
What advice would you like to share with GSLIS students?
Although I was very active in student groups and various assistantships, I definitely did not take full advantage of the faculty here. They are experts in multiple fields (even outside of librarianship!) and have so much knowledge and experience to impart to students, if we only ask! I found that my interests overlapped with many of the faculty and could have been a part of some great research. Graduate school is the only place where talking to absolutely everyone all the time is encouraged! Send your instructor an e-mail and see what they know! They would love to hear from you.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Graduating from school has left me with a lot more free time. I have been rediscovering my hobbies (scrapbooking, reading for pleasure, and tennis) and adding some newer ones (I have about 1/55th of a knitted scarf going for winter). Living in Illinois also means I can enjoy multiple weather conditions, so that has dictated a lot of my free time as well. Summer activities in this area abound between Allerton, downtown festivals, Chicago, and Indianapolis!
What’s next for you?
Working within GSLIS has truly shown me how much I love instruction and technical assistance work. I plan to continue supporting the goals of students and academic staff while actively contributing to emerging trends in technology. Most importantly, I will continue to be a librarian in every sense of the word and increase the accessibility of information for users.