The Path Ahead

Left Photo : McDowell, Mickayla. Photograph of Poster from the Cascade Aids Project Exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society. 12 June. 2022. Author's personal collection. Middle Photo : Disney, W. (2020). Steamboat Willie Gif. Tenor. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://tenor.com/view/mickey-mouse-steamboat-willie-1928-disney-gif-16674175. Right Photo : The Pokemon Company. (2022). Professor Oak from Pokemon. NintendoLife. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/07/the-pokemon-company-needs-someone-to-help-archive-pokemon-history.

Hi! I’m Mickayla, and I’m excited to share my journey toward becoming an archivist.

Currently, I’m pursuing a Master’s of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree at San Jose State University with a clear vision: to help preserve and share the rich histories of organizations, projects, and communities. From non-profits to historical societies, museums, art galleries, and even film studios like the Walt Disney Archives, I want to work on meaningful projects that capture the stories that shape our world.

One particular project close to my heart is working with museums, like Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. I was able to assist in moving their records to new database management software, and help arrange, preserve, and describe their collections. Whether it’s art, letters, books, film or games, I believe every story deserves to be told—and archived for future generations.

But this passion didn’t come to me overnight. Growing up, I struggled to pin down exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. I changed my mind frequently, even through my undergraduate years. It wasn’t until the end of my program, when I realized that the classes I truly loved were history courses, that everything clicked. Learning about the past gave me a richer understanding of the present and the challenges we face today. But I wasn’t ready to commit to a new path just yet.

After graduating from Portland State University with a Bachelor’s in Social Sciences, I found myself in a good job that I excel at, even thought the industry wasn’t my passion. I work from home and enjoy the flexibility, but deep down, I knew I wanted to make a bigger impact. Now I’ve found my calling—to create archives that make history easily accessible, allowing everyone to discover and learn from the past. I’m excited to embark on this journey and bring these histories to life in ways that are meaningful, engaging, and lasting.

I will be using this blog and portfolio to share my journey through the MLIS program at San Jose State, share what I learn, work on, and what inspires me. I hope you will join me!