Dal's MI has a collegial environment where long-lasting friendships are formed; your classmates become your colleagues as you move from the classroom into the professional world. Our diverse student body comprises a variety of geographic, academic and professional backgrounds. Every student has a story; read a few of them below.
Explore the menu on the right to learn more about our students, Dalhousie campus life, and living in Halifax.
Contemporary societal infrastructure is made possible through everyday information systems (Vizarath Ali)
Why did you decide to pursue the MI degree?
Our digital experiences are rooted in effective information systems. Contemporary societal infrastructure is made possible through everyday information systems like Client Relationship Management applications, eCommerce platforms, Electronic Health Records etc. Having worked in clinical technology implementations these past nine years, I wanted a graduate education that would help me contextually understand subjects like information architecture, business intelligence, data science, human-information interaction, user experience etc. The Master of Information provides access to domains of knowledge that will help me design human-centric information systems.
What is your dream job and why?
More than a title or position, my dream job would allow me to both design the development and usage of organizational information systems. I’d like to build effective user experiences, human-centric data architecture and/or study how organizations use their information to achieve business outcomes. The Master of Information should open doors to a leadership or subject-matter-expert position either in IM/IT consulting or as an in-house resource.
How do your experiences with the MI degree at Dal compare with previous education that you have received at other institutions?
Receiving a graduate education during a pandemic, as a mature student, has been an interesting and challenging experience. But, the MI program permits a flexible approach to study. I’ve really enjoyed virtual classes (both real time and pre-recorded lectures) and the opportunity to explore my own interests. All the professors are warm and genuinely interested in your perspective. It’s a very safe space to explore yourself.
What do you do outside of class?
I love hiking, playing dungeons and dragons and daydreaming. I’m also very interested in augmented/mixed reality and am currently voraciously reading as much as I can about their design and implementation.
What has been your most memorable moment at SIM?
The conversations with professors and colleagues. It’s nice to both have your own paradigms be challenged and to challenge others to see the world in a new way.
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VIZARATH ALI SYED
Master of Information Candidate
Hometown
Toronto, ON
Education
- BA Honours (History), University of Toronto, 2010
- Post Graduate Certificate (Public Relations), Humber College, 2012
My experience at Dalhousie has given me the opportunity to network with likeminded individuals, and opened my eyes to the perspectives of a diverse group of people (Nathan Doras)
Why did you decide to pursue the MI degree?
I had an interest in working in academic libraries when I was finishing my undergraduate degree. I thought that my skills aligned well with the field and decided to pursue it further and see where it could take me. I think it is a fascinating field, and it aligns well with my desire to learn that will undoubtedly extend beyond my graduation from the program.
What attracted you to Dalhousie and the MI program?
As an international student who completed their undergraduate degree at Dalhousie, continuing my education here was a no-brainer. I was already very familiar with Dalhousie, and I love the city of Halifax and consider it a second home. The MI degree presented a great opportunity to develop my existing skills and learn new ones that would help make me a strong candidate for a wide range of jobs when entering the job market.
What particular LIS topics interest you the most?
I am very interested in research and the various tasks that go into carrying it out effectively. This can include the management of research data, or the process of searching for past research to expand my own knowledge on a variety of topics, or even evaluating past research in order to inform new ways of structuring research projects so that I can help myself and others produce better research in the future.
What opportunities have you been introduced to since being at Dalhousie?
In the context of the MI program, I think the practicum is a great opportunity to learn about what areas of information management interest you, and to be placed in an environment that supports your career goals. Beyond that, I think my experience at Dalhousie has given me the opportunity to network with likeminded individuals, as well as opening my eyes to the perspectives of a diverse group of people.
What activities are you involved in?
I love the outdoors and living in Halifax has given me great access to hiking, fishing, birding, and just generally exploring the many beautiful spots that this province offers. I enjoy landscape and wildlife photography, and living here has been a great facilitator of that part of my life.
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NATHAN DORAS
Master of Information Candidate
Hometown
Lusaka, Zambia
Education
- BA Honours (Sociology), Dalhousie University, 2022