Hi Matthew, It seems to me that whether an advanced degree in Information Science would be "worth it" would depend largely on what your ultimate goal is as a records manager. If you plan to move on to the lucrative non-government/private sector arena, it may well be since these companies are more progressive and better heeled than public programs. However, considering your focus has been on public history, I strongly advise you not to bother. I am an archivist myself, with a master's degree in history and a strong pedigree in the public sector. Public programs for records management are simply not well-heeled enough to support the recommendations that arise from IT based solutions, unless it comes through an IT portal. Often IT and Records Management do not play well together in the public/government sectors and funding is relatively scarce for many Records Management functions. I think you might well find it to your advantage to learn all you can about Information Science and Management, but if you stay in the Records Management path in government, you will not see a commensurate rise in compensation for your trouble if you would like to justify the tuition. Good luck with your investigations. Sincerely, A.S. Elizabeth Fairfax, MA, CA Past Chair of the SAA Records Mangement Roundtable Island County Records and Information Services Program -----Original Message----- From: Matthew Hebert [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:01 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [RM] Transitioning from archivist to records manager--Benefits of MSIM degree? Hello list, I'm a first time poster, but long time lurker ever since subscribing to the list for a Records Management course in grad school as part of a joint MLIS/MA Public History program. Currently, I'm a new archivist for a state department of transportation agency, albeit with many records management duties. However, I eventually (within the next 5 years or so) want to officially become a records manager. Michelle asked about the benefits of a J.D or Masters of Legal Studies in an earlier post and I was intrigued with the many responses. What about the benefits of a Masters of Science in Information Management degree? Is anyone familiar with such a program? If so I would be very interested in any feedback, on or off the listserv. The program I am heavily considering is at Arizona State University: http://wpcarey.asu.edu/is/evening_msim/MSIM.cfm I've been told by many that you can't go wrong with an MBA degree no matter what field you are pursuing. This MSIM program seems to me to be similar to an MBA, but tailored to IT and therefore better suited for jumpstarting a records management career. I realize there is really no substitute for solid experience in the records management field. However, would completing this degree program be useful down the line, while I continue to gather experience to qualify to take the CRM exam? Does it seem "worth it"? If anyone on the list has any more suggestions for transitioning from the archives to the records management field, I would like to hear them. Matt Hebert Archivist, ADOT Right of Way Records Center Phoenix, AZ List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance To unsubscribe from this list, click the below link. If not already present, place UNSUBSCRIBE RECMGMT-L or UNSUB RECMGMT-L in the body of the message. mailto:[log in to unmask] List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance To unsubscribe from this list, click the below link. If not already present, place UNSUBSCRIBE RECMGMT-L or UNSUB RECMGMT-L in the body of the message. mailto:[log in to unmask]