You're correct in that they would not be synonymous careers outside of 
our domain, but I don't see that many Content Strategy and UX positions 
pop up here.  So, if the OP wants to continue to work for libraries, I 
wouldn't expect the existing "education paths" to be a perfect fit for 
the job market.

Libraries may begin to better understand the value of these skills in 
the future, but organizational change seems to happen slowly in our 
field.  Having a combined set of skills -- the ability to design, 
prototype, test, and code -- will increase your potential to build 
awesome things and broaden your perspective of the development process.

I agree that you need some projects.  While a degree never hurts, 
getting experience and building a great portfolio will serve you better 
for what you want to do.  If you're at a loss for ideas, there were a 
number of potential C4L projects/redesigns that came up at the 
conference, for which you may find some collaborators/mentors.

On 4/22/13 12:35 PM, Mark Pernotto wrote:
> It's not immediately clear to me if you're more interested in Content
> Strategy and UX or programming/coding, as I don't see them as synonymous
> careers.
>
> If it's the former, I'd suggest seeking a more focused HCI program.
>
> If it's the latter, then I'd focus probably more on Integrated Application
> Development.  I would think you'd want more software development experience
> before diving into that, however.
>
> I learn best by getting my hands dirty with a project.  See if you like it
> first, and see if you can't follow along with a 'how to program' guide
> online - this helped me: http://learnpythonthehardway.org/.  The HTML
> version is free, you'll see immediate results, and it might give you a good
> idea if you like this whole 'programming' thing.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 22, 2013 at 9:05 AM, Cary Gordon <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> If you going to become a professional programmer/developer, I suggest that
>> you take one of the language courses (just not ASP). In the library world,
>> XML is very useful. While we work mostly in PHP, Python, Ruby and Scala are
>> the most interesting, but none of them are on the list.
>>
>> In my experience, if you have a good handle on the fundamentals of
>> programming, picking up new languages is easy.
>>
>> These are tough choices, as there is only one class — ASP is dead — that I
>> wouldn't take. What are the other two concentration options?
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Apr 22, 2013 at 8:41 AM, Sean Hannan <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>>> Honestly, if you're interested in and looking to focus on Content
>> Strategy
>>> and UX, the only course there that comes close is Human-Computer
>>> Interaction.
>>>
>>> If those are really your interests, I'd look at a strictly HCI program
>>> (they're out there) or something that leans more towards Knowledge
>>> Management or plain old Design.
>>>
>>> -Sean
>>>
>>> ________________________________________
>>> From: Code for Libraries [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Phil
>>> Suda [[log in to unmask]]
>>> Sent: Monday, April 22, 2013 11:31 AM
>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>> Subject: [CODE4LIB] ADVICE: Applied Computing Program at Tulane
>>>
>>> Good morning,
>>>
>>>                   I have been working in public libraries since 2006, as a
>>> cataloger, collection development librarian, serials librarian, and
>> various
>>> other roles (thinking of business card with Fixer as job title). I am
>> very
>>> interested in Structured Data, Semantic Web, Metadata, and more
>> importantly
>>> Content Strategy and User Experience/Interface Design. I am considering
>>> entering the Applied Computing Program at Tulane University. I have
>> listed
>>> the courses below. What advice do the Code4Libs have with regard to
>>> Programming Courses via a University (as well as the courses below)? I
>>> really want to get into Content Strategy and User Experience Design. What
>>> advice do you have for someone that is a librarian with a pretty
>> extensive
>>> knowledge of metadata/structured data, is interested in
>> programming/coding
>>> as a career, and just wants to improve his lot/career? Thank you for any
>>> and all advice on the matter.
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Phil
>>>
>>>
>>> Major Core Courses       Credits
>>> CPST 1200 Fundamentals of Information Systems and Information Technology
>>> CPST 2200 Programming Fundamentals
>>> CPST 2300 Database Fundamentals
>>> CPST 3600 IT Hardware and Software Fundamentals
>>> CPST 3700 Networking Fundamentals
>>> CPST 3900 Fundamentals of Information Security and Assurance
>>>
>>> In addition to the major core courses above, Applied Computing majors
>> must
>>> select 6 additional courses from one of the 3 following concentration
>>> options:
>>>
>>> Option 1: Integrated Application Development Concentration
>>> Credits
>>> Select one course:
>>> CPST 3220 O-O Programming with Java
>>> CPST 3230 Programming in C++
>>> CPST 3400 Website Development with XML/XHTML
>>> CPST 3410 Website Development with JavaScript
>>> CPST 3430 Website Development with ASP
>>> CPST 3310 Relational Database Design and Development
>>> CPST 3250 Human-Computer Interaction
>>> CPST 3550 Systems Analysis and Design
>>> CPST 4250 Integrated Application Development
>>> One CPST Elective (2000 level or above)
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Cary Gordon
>> The Cherry Hill Company
>> http://chillco.com
>>