After Joseph Edgerton graduates with his Master of Science in Information Sciences this May, he will begin his new role as a research data management librarian at the University of Virginia. His journey to this position was unexpected, but his experiences along the way helped him discover his true passions.
“It feels really accepting and a welcoming community,” he said. “I don’t feel like a stranger at all with my background. I think part of that is because I’ve seen the diversity of students in the [School of Information Sciences] program, and I respect all their amazing backgrounds.”
Before graduating from high school, Edgerton struggled to find a major he liked while exploring college programs, but he had an interest in real-world experiences.
“I’m originally from Oregon, and I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I liked life science, so general biology made sense to me,” he explained.
He graduated in December 2019 with an undergraduate degree in general biology from Oregon State University. However, when he began searching for a job, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, severely impacting the job market. During this time, Edgerton found an internship opportunity with the University of Maryland as a science communication intern. He completed the internship remotely from Oregon, during which he learned more about information organization and outreach. This experience gave him insight into the workings of research and the importance of access to information.
“While I was in Oregon, I would wake up at 6 a.m. to do this internship across the country. It was interesting. We worked on synthesizing and explaining scientific results in ways that could help address environmental issues. We created outreach materials such as socio-environmental report cards that graded water systems. These physical report cards were distributed to stakeholders, interested parties, government agencies, and our clients,” he explained.
From that internship, Edgerton decided to move to Maryland, where he has spent the past three years as an assistant science communicator. During his internship and subsequent role, he met numerous professionals with backgrounds in information sciences, many of whom spoke highly of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s program.
“While working at the University of Maryland, I was part of a group of federal information professionals from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Although I wasn’t an employee there, I participated in this interest group or community group. One of the members mentioned the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s program. I thought this program seemed like a great fit for me, so I looked into it. I found it to be very affordable and discovered that it offered courses specifically on data management, allowing me to earn both a certificate and a master’s degree.”
Edgerton was initially drawn to the program because of its affordability and curriculum, but it was the connection he felt with the school, its faculty, current students, and alumni that ultimately encouraged him to apply.
He said, “It was the feeling that this is what I needed, that they would give me the tools necessary to be successful in the kinds of positions I wanted, and that I would have the opportunity to explore a good amount. I just didn’t get that same feeling from other programs I contacted or tried to engage with. At UT, I was able to talk with alumni and current students, and they all had nothing negative to say about the program. So, from there, it was like, ‘Okay, my mind’s made up.’”
While in the program, Edgerton took courses on metadata, data management, information architecture, and usability testing. He noted that these courses were beneficial for his previous role and helped him secure his current position. He emphasized that his practicum was particularly pivotal, ultimately assisting him in obtaining his current job.
“The practicum was the most direct contributor to my getting my job. I completed an internship for credit at the Department of Energy, working with their data management professionals over the summer. This experience was critical because it provided me with real-world experience that I could showcase to my new employer at the University of Virginia,” he stated.
Edgerton recently moved from Maryland to Virginia to begin his new role as a research data management librarian (RDML). In this position, he will assist with various aspects of data management, primarily helping researchers with their data management plans (DMPs) required by their funders and grants. His responsibilities will also include conducting consultations and advising on the best methods for data management in specific situations. Edgerton will also engage with students, faculty, and staff regarding his team’s work.
“I want to support and assist people with my information sciences degree and learn how I can be of service,” Edgerton remarked.
Since starting his master’s degree, Edgerton has been involved with the Research Data Access and Preservation Association (RDAP), an organization dedicated to supporting information professionals in developing, maintaining, and teaching best practices for research data access and preservation.
“I became a member of that group last year, which consists almost exclusively of research data management librarians and data service professionals—people in positions similar to mine. I actually saw my future boss there,” Edgerton explained. “I realized how much I enjoyed the profession and the group. It became clear that if I wanted to network, discuss initiatives, or develop new ideas, this would be an excellent place to do that.”
Edgerton’s journey from biology to data librarianship is unique, and he encourages others considering a career change to do their research and take the leap if it feels right for them.
“I would advise any students who are switching fields or pursuing careers that aren’t directly in a library, or coming from GLAM [galleries, libraries, archives, or museums] backgrounds, that while doing a practicum is not necessary, it can be extremely beneficial. It helps to demonstrate relevant experience when entering the field. I found it to be an invaluable tool, as others before me had emphasized its importance. Therefore, I think people should really try to take advantage of opportunities to complete one, if not two, practicums during their degree,” he said.
Edgerton’s time at UT helped him gain skills, confidence, and a sense of community on which to build a meaningful career. He is excited to begin this new role and see where it leads him. He noted the SIS program has supported his academic and professional growth, especially as someone working part-time while being a full-time, fully remote student. Although making this switch was somewhat intimidating, he felt encouraged by others who have faced similar challenges and now enjoy successful careers in library management.
“I observed that our fields, particularly in general librarianship, attract students and professionals from diverse backgrounds, many of whom are not typically associated with librarianship. Yet, they succeeded. They earned their degrees and found the jobs they were seeking, leveraging their experiences along the way. This gave me hope and reduced my anxiety about finding a job or securing a position. I knew it would take some time, and although I applied to several positions before landing the one at UVA, it turned out to be a matter of timing regarding when I would receive my degree and other factors. It feels satisfying to have this opportunity before graduating,” he said.