Statement+of+Goals


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August 11, 2008 Statement of Goals:

I believe that the role of librarians is to enable the public, as well as academic, government and business institutions, to access a wide array of information, fostering the exchange and development of ideas, which advances society. I am hoping to gain admission into The University at Albany's M.S. in Information Science program to participate in the discussion of how best to organize information. I also wish to learn information technology skills in order to focus on issues such as information quality: one of many pressing challenges to librarians and information managers today.

My career began as a bookseller. I enjoyed being surrounded by books and sharing my interests with others. Subsequently, I worked for Kaplan University as a college transfer credit evaluator, researching undergraduate and graduate course work. Currently, I work for Marymount Manhattan College as a college administrator, assisting with financial aid, student accounts and registration.

I am proud of the work I have accomplished in higher education, primarily helping students complete their education by assisting with academic and financial matters. Although I wish to change career paths from college administration to librarianship, I wish to continue helping students, professors and staff by becoming an information technology professional in an academic library. I have always been fascinated with technology. I have learned HTML/CSS and am currently learning PHP/MYSQL. In addition, I am well versed in PC and Macintosh operating systems, as well as many relevant computer applications, such as Adobe’s Dreamweaver and Illustrator. Through courses taught at The University at Albany, such as Information Technology and Library Automation, as well as Information Systems, I hope to gain the additional knowledge and training necessary to become a highly skilled professional.

While I enjoy working with technology, I also seek an intellectual component not always found in a typical IT setting. An avid reader, I also enjoy film and music. Moreover, the broader discussions taking place in the field of library science are intriguing - issues of free speech, book preservation and international collections in particular//.// The historical and social implications of these issues, with their emphasis on technology, strongly correlate to my interests.

Over five years have passed since receiving my bachelor’s degree. During this time, I have matured greatly, in large part due to my work experience. I view the opportunity to enroll in graduate school as a privilege and feel driven to succeed in completing the information studies program. I recognize that Information Studies is a skills-based program. However, I also believe that technical skills cannot substitute for an open and creative mind, and that solving problems often requires seeking the advice of those more experienced and using constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth. Finally, I understand that collaborating with peers can lead to achievements greater than those achieved by the individual. I look forward to these experiences at The University at Albany. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Daniel C. Lerch