Is there an advantage to having an advanced degree in business or economics for a business librarian? Elisabeth Leonard uses her personal experiences and the results of a national survey to compare the expected benefits to the actual benefits (and disadvantages) for acquiring an advanced degree. From the SLA CUBL breakfast in Seattle June 2008.

1. Is it all worth it? Elisabeth Leonard, MLS, MBA

6. How did others benefit? Top benefits 33.0% (32) 27.8% (27) Increased the amount of respect and/or credibility I receive from faculty 43% (40) 19.4% (18) Provides opportunities outside librarianship Very Beneficial Beneficial (n=98) 32.0% (31) 26.8% (26) Increased the amount of respect and/or credibility I receive from colleagues 76.3% (74) 19.6% (19) Increased understanding of my patrons 79.6% (78) 17.3% (17) Increased subject knowledge

8. Disparity between perceived benefits and actual benefits Very beneficial Beneficial Perceived 57.3% (59) 26.2% (27) Increased subject knowledge Very Beneficial Beneficial Actual 79.6% (78) 17.3% (17) Increased subject knowledge

9. Disparity between perceived benefits and actual benefits Very beneficial Beneficial Perceived 16.0% (16) 33.0% (33) Increased understanding of my patrons Very Beneficial Beneficial Actual 76.3% (74) 19.6% (19) Increased understanding of my patrons

10. Disparity between perceived benefits and actual benefits Very beneficial Beneficial Perceived 24.5% (25) 18.6% (19) Increased the amount of respect and/or credibility I receive from students Very Beneficial Beneficial Actual 33.0% (32) 27.8% (27) Increased the amount of respect and/or credibility I receive from students

11. Disparity between perceived benefits and actual benefits Very beneficial Beneficial Perceived 30.4% (31) 30.4% (31) Increased my salary Very Beneficial Beneficial Actual 24.7% (24) 25.8% (25) Increased my salary

14. The verdict from the survey: Recommended! 76% said it was worth it

17. Thank you!