[Sigia-l] Advice on grad school paths

[Adam Taplin]

I am not an IA/UX professional, but I'd like to be. I'm currently working in publishing, as an old fashioned book editor of travel information. I know I am interested in IA and experience design---from volunteering on a project at work that relates to these fields, from lurking on this list, from reading the polar bear book, etc---and I'm evaluating the choices I have for moving over into this field.

I have done some research on grad schools. The info school at UW (specifically the ms in info management) seems like one option, as does the iSchool at UC Berkeley. I have also heard Rutgers, Syracuse, and Baltimore could be possibilities-- although those seem like programs that come out of a Library perspective more than an online, new media type perspective. But I could be make false assumptions there.

My question is in two parts. First, is choosing to enter this field via an academic program worthwhile? Or is on-the-job experience the only thing that's going to work? Second, are there any other graduate programs I may have overlooked?

Thanks very much for any tips.

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