Choose BLIS at Saint Michael College of Caraga

MUST-READ! DON'T IGNORE!

    By: Jolo Van Clyde S. Abatayo

If you are still doubtful about what course you'll choose, I would love to recommend the Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS). WHY? Let's make it quick...

BLIS is one of the Commission on Higher Education’s priority courses. It means that if you are enrolled in this course, you will be the first priority of CHED when you want to apply for their scholarships. Being a priority course means the course is projected and expected by CHED to enable graduates to land into in-demand jobs. Thus, librarianship is in-demand.

In-demand... Why? Because all schools, colleges, and universities need librarians. They can't open an academic program and a course or pass the accreditation and certifications without librarians. If you will ask how many registered librarians here in the Philippines…

“There are only 9,411 registered librarians as of February 28, 2019, plus 565 passers last September 2019. The active librarians as of January 2019 are only 6,697. These are actively renewing their licenses at PRC.”

There is a scarcity when it comes to the production of librarians in the country. It’s because there are lots and lots of career paths for Librarians. We only have 10% or less supply of librarians. What if public libraries or DepEd will open massive items for librarians? In fact, you can’t put teachers in these positions because they are not qualified and it’s against the law (RA 9246).

Aside from schools, colleges, and universities. Librarians can work in Public Libraries like in your barangay, municipality, city, and province. Librarians are badly needed, especially that starting this year, probably, they will empower public libraries by mandating that all local government units must have public libraries and librarians (RA 7743). Actually, it's still an issue because according to the National Library of the Philippines' Director, the available librarians today can't all fill in the available positions. He has a point there. Again, what if public libraries or DepEd will open massive items for librarians?

Aside from public libraries, there are special libraries. For example, San Miguel Corporation has a corporate library and they hire librarians for collection management and records keeping and protection. Medical schools have medical libraries. Bureau of Corrections has Jail Libraries. Law schools have law libraries. These agencies eagerly hire for librarians and information professionals. Moreover, librarians can also work for Museums as Curators, Archival Institutions as Archivists, and Publishing Companies as part of their staff. Librarians can also work as LIS Educators. Remember: Librarians can teach and become librarians because there are BLIS and MLIS programs that need enthusiastic instructors and professors.

Again, there is a lot of career opportunities for librarians, that even TV Stations hire librarians. In abroad, I know some who successfully work there as librarians. It’s just sad that this course isn’t that a big hit to the eyes of the masses. They don’t even know that we receive a high salary, especially when we work at government agencies. To be honest, schools are badly looking for librarians. Imagine, I am from North Cotabato yet I am working in Caraga Region. Why? Because the region lacks librarians. Most of the Librarians here are from outside Caraga. Even my two sisters/siblings are also aspiring to become librarians (one is still an undergraduate student and the other one is preparing for the licensure examination). Why would I entrust my siblings' fate to BLIS? IT’S IN-DEMAND! If you want proofs, you can ask any librarian working in the country and you will surely know the truth, just 1-2 months, you will most likely get a job immediately after graduation. Cool, right?

One piece of advice I can give to students who are still confused and puzzled on what course they will take, they need to think first about their future. They need to pursue a course that is job-ready and not those courses that won’t guarantee you a better future. They need to have a rich mindset and a fixed goal. They need to choose a course that will help them land a job quickly for them to help their family.

Enroll now at SAINT MICHAEL COLLEGE OF CARAGA, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. We have this so-called “Kabayaning Michaelinian Scholarship Program” for BLIS in which they only have to pay 9,000 pesos per semester and they can also apply for the TES Scholarship. It’s very affordable, unlike other learning institutions. Aside from this, we can assure you that we have the best training ground. We have an aesthetic and well-established Learning Resource Center/Learning Commons and the INSTRUCTORS are all registered librarians and Master’s degree holders. What are you waiting for? Enroll now at SMCC! Choose BLIS and you will never regret it!  

Other Infographics about BLIS: