From Healthcare to Libraries: Lisa McKay’s Journey with the Online MLIS

After more than three decades working in healthcare, Lisa McKay faced a turning point in her career. When her job as a phlebotomist and ancillary tech ended, she made a bold decision to pivot into a completely different field: library science. That choice led her to LSU’s online Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program, where she found the accessibility, flexibility, and support she needed to reimagine her future. 

Meet Lisa McKay 

What initially made you apply to the online Master of Library and Information Science from LSU? 

I had a major life change when I was terminated from my job in healthcare; I had been a phlebotomist and ancillary tech for nearly 33 years. I decided to pursue a completely different career path in library science and considered a number of different programs. I knew that a quick start to this change was essential for me, as I would likely have returned to healthcare if left to my own devices too long. LSU provided a program that was accessible, affordable, and flexible. 

How did you balance life, work, and studies? 

I spent many years doing an absurd amount of overtime, so I was accustomed to long hours. I didn't have a job when I started the program, however, and it made easing back into academic life much more manageable. I hadn't been in college for 23 years when I started with LSU. I had never taken an online course. Those were my biggest adjustments. When I did start back to work, my hours were much shorter than I was used to working, even when moving into a fulltime position. I also don't have children, which so many of my classmates do. The parents who work, study, create art, garden, care for parents, et cetera, are my heroes. They are the people I admired through my educational experience.  

Balance for me was much, much easier to achieve. A lot of it was using the time I had, breaks at work to read and research, time at home when the house was quiet to work on papers, and so on. Planning my time was also a key component to making things work in my life. Knowing my workload allowed me to plug in time for study, job, animal care, household work. I also tried to allow for fun when I could, even to the point of blocking time on the calendar. My roommate likes to say, "If it isn't on the calendar, it doesn't happen." The calendar was one of my favorite and most effective tools. 

How did the program prepare you for your career or career advancement? 

The program taught me aspects of librarianship I had no idea existed. While management seems like a straightforward point of education, applicable in any work setting, it has a different slant in libraries. Inclusion and privacy issues, while not uncommon in healthcare settings, have a broad social view in public libraries. Exploring different ways libraries serve its community/user group was really eye-opening for me. 

What was your favorite course or topic? Why? 

I enjoyed many of my courses, but Adult Librarianship really spoke to me. The older and elderly members of our society have had to make so many adjustments throughout their lifetime; it was wonderful to explore ways of serving that particular portion of the local population. It also made clear how willing adults are to provide library services for their children, but how difficult it is to make available library programs for themselves. I see libraries as potential sources of self-care for adults in society, and I hope to expand that in my current workplace. 

What advice would you give to prospective students considering the program? 

As difficult as it is, please keep an open line of communication with your professors and advisors. I am aware that many of the people in MLS, MLIS, and IS programs are less extroverted, and conversations can be difficult. Many people select certain areas of focus for that reason. The professors and staff of LSU are in their positions, however, to help people achieve their goals, in education and afterward. Having an open line of communication, however, allows a student to get the most out of their program. It also allows for quick adjustments and assistance when things go sideways in a student's life. That could be something as small as a local power outage that prevents an on-time assignment submission, or as big as a personal health crisis. Talk to your professors! Email your student success coaches! Learn the phrase "I need help," and use it! I promise, it will improve the experience and outcome of the program. 

What do you see as the biggest benefits of an online education? 

The flexibility, absolutely. Having my graduate school come to me, so to speak, made my life possible, made my education possible. Did I miss the in-person aspects of an educational experience? Of course. But that price made getting my degree achievable. There is no way I would have graduated from another program as quickly or with as little upheaval as I did with LSU. 

What skills or knowledge from the program have been most valuable in your job? 

What is most valuable in my job varies from day to day, but the exploration or technologies used in the library has been invaluable. Not only for my use in the position, but also in my ability to assist others. I mentioned older members of my community and their access to the library; being able to introduce an older person to a form of technology has been so rewarding. Taking away the fear of the newness, showing the person how to navigate a form of technology, making a life better through the tools available? That's an amazing feeling. 

Can you share a success story related to your career? 

I struggled with this question for quite a while. I'm not sure I have a greatest success, not yet, anyway. For me, one of the greatest parts of my work is being able to help people in a "get to" situation. In healthcare, it was "have to." No one wants to go to a clinic or a hospital. It's important and necessary and sometimes scary and awful. But people get to be at libraries. Library patrons get to ask for help from professionals at no cost. They get to use resources, attend interesting programs, read a different genre they've never thought to pick up. This may not be a professional success, but it is a tremendous gift. Call me in a year, or five, and I'll see if I can give you a better answer.

Explore the Online MLIS from LSU 

Lisa’s journey shows how an online degree can open doors to new possibilities, no matter where you start. The LSU Master of Library and Information Science is designed for students like Lisa, whether you’re beginning a new career path or building on your current one. With a flexible format, supportive faculty, and a curriculum that blends theory with real-world application, the online LSU MLIS helps you prepare for a meaningful role in today’s evolving library and information landscape. 

Learn more about the online Master of Library & Information Science and apply today!