Becoming a leader in the Library and Information Science field draws on all of the skills I have learned throughout the Master’s Program thus far. Communication, assessment, utilizing resources, and applying key theories of practice all play a role in performing the role of a leader. While not every project simulates the role of a leader, each assignment offers the opportunity to practice the skills and principles that a leader will follow.

One of the most prominent examples of this came from the Business Case Study project in my Knowledge Management course. Tasked with proposing a hypothetical knowledge management project to invested stakeholders, we were asked to consider how best to gather “buy in” from fellow staff, performing SWOT analyses and laying out measurable outcomes, and considering costs and barriers to success. Though this project was designed as a presentation to leadership, it asked us to take into account the same principles that a leader would have to follow. Utilizing these skills, as well as the rest of the skills learned throughout this program, has taught me how to think like a leader and prepared me for a future leadership role in the Library and Information Science field.