Elective choice in the MLIS programme and graduate employment

Abstract

Elective choice in the MLIS programme is an opportunity for students to specialise in areas of particular interest to them and develop specific skills related to future employment. It also provides an opportunity for LIS schools to ensure they meet particular requirements of the library/information community. In order to establish if elective choice was related to employment, a questionnaire was sent to a sample of graduates of the MLIS programme. They were asked for information about their employment, elective choice, reasons for elective choice and their perceptions of the importance of elective choice in the gaining and performing of employment. The purpose of the study was to determine whether there was a relationship between elective choice and employment to provide LIS educators and current and prospective MLIS students with information about the importance of elective choice in employment. The results of the study indicated that there was a relationship between elective choice and employment, but the strength of that relationship varies according to the type of library/information centre, the particular type of work, the study mode of the respondent and whether respondents were Diploma of Librarianship upgraders.