Learning skills in digital preservation, database architecture and records management has translated very well into what I’m doing today.

Wayne State University's School of Information Sciences (SIS) has prepared many individuals for diverse career paths. Alumnus Adam Mosseri, an officer in the U.S. Navy, is a prime example of how the degree’s versatility can lead graduates to unexpected occupations and experiences.

Mosseri received dual bachelor’s degrees in History and Anthropology from Eastern Michigan University in 2011. Initially drawn to the field of archaeology and considering a graduate degree in History, he found his true calling when he stumbled upon the master of library and information science (MLIS) program. Mosseri was a very involved student at SIS, serving as president of the student chapter of the National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA) and participating in internships, volunteer positions and practicums at prestigious institutions including the Detroit Historical Society, University of Michigan and the National Archives in Washington, D.C. “Those experiences really helped to shape how I grew up through the program,” he said.

In 2015, Mosseri was awarded the Patricia B. Knapp Award, which is granted by SIS each year. The award was established in 1973 in memory of Professor Knapp in recognition of a graduating MLIS student who has demonstrated a high level of scholarship and shows promise of success in a career in library and information service. Upon graduation, Mosseri took what he believed at the time to be his dream job – a position working as a communications specialist for Kohler's corporate archives.

However, after only just over a year on the job, a life-altering event prompted him to reassess his career path. Witnessing and intervening in an attempted kidnapping, Mosseri was propelled to seek a higher purpose. "After that happened, I felt like I should be putting my skills to a different use," he said. This pivotal moment led him to pivot towards a career in national security.

Transitioning from corporate archives to the Navy, Mosseri brought a unique perspective shaped by his archival background. His positions within the Navy have ranged from Assistant Operations Officer to Information System Security Manager and most recently a role with Naval Information Warfare Training Group, Norfolk. Despite the shift in focus, Mosseri finds significant parallels between his archival training and his current responsibilities. "I definitely use the skills that I learned in the program as a naval officer almost every day," he said. “Learning skills in digital preservation, database architecture and records management has translated very well into what I’m doing today.”

Mosseri said that his advice to current students’ echoes would be to urge them to embrace diverse learning opportunities and engage with their professors. “They are your biggest advocates. They are the ones that are going to help you build connections. You get the most out of this program when you fully commit to it and jump in with both feet,” he said.

Originally from Garden City, Michigan, Mosseri met his wife, Jenine (Hanna) Mosseri, when they were both students in the program. She previously was an adult services librarian at Romulus Public Library, but now stays home full time to raise the couple’s young daughter from their home where they are currently stationed in Virginia.

Mosseri's journey, from corporate archives to national security, showcases the adaptability of skills gained through the MLIS program and Wayne State's ongoing commitment to preparing students for successful careers. The College to Career initiative and President Kimberly Andrews Espy's Prosperity Agenda have furthered this priority. To advance this goal, President Espy launched the Prosperity Agenda in the spring of 2024 to enhance career readiness and long-term success for all students by integrating hands-on career development in real-world settings throughout their educational experience.

“The flexibility of the MLIS degree is one of the reasons I love to advocate for this program,” Mosseri said. “Students have so many opportunities. If you want to do something unique or something that isn't part of the standard track, all you have to do is talk to somebody, and if you can figure out a way to tie it to the curriculum, they're more than willing to help you out and guide you in the right direction.”