Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
2023
Abstract
The study was conducted to describe: 1) the graduates of the Master in Library and Information Science (MLIS) program in terms of socio-demographic, academic, and professional examination achievements profiles; 2) the employment conditions of the Saint Mary's University (SMU) Library and Information Science (LIS) graduates employment after graduation and current employment; and 3) the extent of skills learned from the program in terms of a) creativity and innovation skills, b) critical thinking and problem-solving skills, c) communication and collaboration skills, d) information, media, and technology skills, and e) life and career skills. The study utilized a descriptive method of research to determine the application of 21st-century skills in the MLIS program. The respondents were 40 out of 49 MLIS graduates of Saint Mary's University (Philippines) from the school year 2018-2019 to 2021-2022. Data were gathered during the second semester of SY 2021-2022 using the Google Form via email or Facebook Messenger. The research questionnaire comprised two (2) parts, namely, 1) the demographic profile; and 2) the extent of learned skills of the MLIS graduates from the program implementation. The questionnaire was based on 21st-century skills (Fadel, 2008). The general socio-demographic characteristics of the LIS graduates were married (72.5 %), female (85 %), aged 30-39 years old (40 %), working 11-15 years as practicing librarians from their workplace for 11-15 years (30 %) with a salary of Php 20,000 to less than Php 25,000 per month. In general, the academic characteristics of the graduates were a bachelor's degree in education with a major or minor in LISBSED (55%) and a bachelor's degree in LIS (35.5%) from Saint Mary's University (42.5%), Benguet State University (30.0%), and Saint Louis University (25.0%). Most were MLIS program graduates from 2017-2019, while only two had doctorate degrees. Notably, 37.5 % of the LIS graduates are librarian and teacher license holders. The respondents reported that their job after obtaining their degree is not their first (65.0%). The majority (65.0%) waited less than three months to be hired for their first job having a professional, technical, or supervisory position (70.0%). The respondents perceived the learned communication skills (85.5%) as the most useful competency in their current job. As to the current employment conditions of the respondents, most of them are currently working (97.5%) with permanent or regular status (87.5%), having a professional classification of work (90.0%) as section head or college librarian (57.5%). The majority of them are working in Cagayan Valley Region (40.0%) and Cordillera Administrative Region (40.0%) in private (47.5%) and public schools (42.5%), in line with the education sector (97.5 %). The LIS graduates' creativity and innovation skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, communication and collaboration skills, information, media, and technology skills, and life and career skills learned from the program were "very great."