How Do I Become a Media Specialist?

You can become a media specialist by completing a college degree in library science, passing any required licensure exams, and submitting applications for available media specialist positions at school or community libraries. Some degree programs may also require completion of a student librarian practicum under the supervision of an experienced media specialist. Good evaluations from this practical training are often helpful when you later apply to become a media specialist in a regular paid position. Many media specialist jobs require applicants to have working knowledge of how various materials are cataloged and retrieved in different types of libraries.

Most entry-level media specialist jobs require at least a four-year undergraduate degree. This type of degree program will give you a good foundation in topics such as library cataloging systems and computer applications for libraries. If you want to become a media specialist in a primary or secondary school, you may also need to obtain a teaching license depending on the regulations of your local area. A good understanding of teaching and guiding others with their research projects is considered an essential skill for working as a media specialist in schools. You may need to complete a doctorate degree if you want to become a media specialist in a large college or university library.

A graduate level college degree is usually a requirement if you want to become a media specialist in many public libraries. Many of these librarians hold masters' degrees in library information science along with any need licenses. In addition to organizing and cataloging various materials, these types of media specialists also frequently perform basic computer maintenance tasks such as system upgrades and software updates. Depending on the requirements of different regions, you may need to pass a licensing exam with both written and practical sections to become certified as a media specialist.

Once you have finished your needed education for a media specialist career, you are prepared to gain the needed on-the-job experience. If you have completed a library practicum as part of your degree program, your supervisor or sponsoring professor can often be a good source of information about possible media specialist job openings. You can also apply for open library internships if your degree program did not include this type of hands-on coursework. Most media specialist jobs require a resume along with an interview, and strengths to highlight include your related computer and organizational skills in a library setting.