How to make the most of your time at UMSI

If you’re a new student at the University of Michigan School of Information, one of the first things to know is that there’s a saying here: Information changes everything.

Get information from people who have been here before and gone on to career success. This round-up of popular advice from alumni spanning UMSI bachelor’s and master’s degree programs can help students just starting to chart their paths at UMSI, as well as those who have been here a while longer.

Enjoy the journey 

“Be open to the opportunities that come your way. We change, our identities as people change and that’s the point of school: to expose you to all these paths and new ideas. Use your time to explore those interests.” 
   — Priya Kumar (MSI ’14), assistant professor, Penn State University College of Information Sciences and Technology

GET CURIOUS: Subscribe to UMSI’s Research Roundup newsletter for regular updates on the vast range of information science work that scholars accomplish here.

Talk to classmates and instructors

“Meeting those classmates and getting to know them was not only valuable professionally to me but made the program that much more enjoyable, to have those close connections with peers who had the same interests.” 
   — John Garrison (MSI ’11), professor and librarian at Westminster College

GET CONNECTED: Check UMSI’s events calendar for upcoming community and scholarly gatherings.

Start making internship plans now

“Internships and projects with clients are great for gaining experience, so do those as much as possible. In the end, what really matters is your experience working with other people.” 
   — Novia Wong (MSI ’19), PhD student in informatics, University of California, Irvine

GET COACHING: Schedule an appointment with UMSI’s Career Development Office team on UMSI CareerLink.

Use real-world projects to build your portfolio and practice soft skills 

“I had the opportunity to join a project in collaboration with the School of Public Health, building a COVID-19 dashboard reporting cases and tests at the region level in the state of Michigan. What made this experience unique was that it put my skills to the test in a professional setting. . . . While some students can engage in research projects during their master's, not everyone gets the chance to work on real-life projects with such impactful outcomes. It was an opportunity of a lifetime that gave me a preview of the challenges and rewards of working on data projects.” 
   — Claire-Isabelle Carlier (MADS ’21), senior data scientist at Engineered Intelligence

GET INSPIRED: Discover engaged learning opportunities at UMSI.

It’s OK to ask for help

“It's easier said than done, but don't be afraid to ask questions. You may think, 'This is a dumb question,' or ‘I don't want to take people's time and ask too much of them.’ That’s normal.”
   — Shannon Elkins (BSI ’20), user experience specialist, Boeing

GET RESOURCES: Find people at UMSI who are dedicated to supporting students’ academic success, career development, engaged learning and holistic wellbeing.

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Visit UMSI’s full library of Alumni Snapshots for more tried and true advice on taking full advantage of resources for UMSI and U-M students.