Jennifer is currently earning her Masters of Science in Information Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. After graduating from MU, Jennifer worked, for a year, as an Archivest at the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office in Jefferson City, MO. “ I decided I wanted to pursue a career working in libraries and archives so that I could help preserve history for future generations, so I started looking into Master of Library Science programs that had a strong emphasis in archival studies. I applied and was accepted to four programs and eventually narrowed it down to the University of Texas because I have spent all my life in the midwest region and wanted to move somewhere new and exciting.”

“The field of library and information science is extremely interdisciplinary, so I meet people in my work and school life who come from a wide variety of academic backgrounds. My history degree is unique because it has given me such a great appreciation for the materials I work with in libraries and archives. I know how much value there is in preserving the past and I understand that passing on knowledge of history can help us create a better future.  As both an archivist and a librarian, my unique skills as a historian have enabled me to better serve patrons. As any history major knows, we are able to summarize and synthesize information quickly, and we are skilled at researching and finding information on even the most obscure topics. When patrons come in to the library or the archives and they are looking for specific information about a subject, I am able to draw on my own research skills and efficiently track down the resources they need.”