Tyler Youngman might well be viewed as a Renaissance man in an Information Age.
That assessment matches his capabilities in addition to his high-energy lifestyle, busy campus schedule, and motivated track of coursework and organizational activities at Syracuse University.
Youngman is a senior, double majoring in the School of Information Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences, working on his degrees in Information Management & Technology and Music History & Cultures. He carries a minor in Music Performance and, along with a more-than-required course load, maintains a full schedule of musically oriented extracurricular interests.
When he graduates from his dual undergraduate programs in 2020, he’ll already be on pace to complete a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the iSchool. True to form, he’s enrolled in the iSchool’s Fast Track LIS program and began his graduate coursework this fall.
In the meantime, he’s balancing his studies in data management and digital humanities with the capstone project he is completing as a scholar in the Renée Crown Honors Program. Tyler also serves as a HASTAC Scholar, Newell W. Rossman Jr. Humanities Scholar, and has the distinct honor of being one of the 35 Syracuse University Remembrance Scholars for the 2019-2020 academic year.
Keeping the Beat
Apart from academics, the energetic and motivated Tyler doesn’t skip a beat. He’s an active member of Syracuse University’s several instrumental and vocal ensembles; serves the marching band as a clarinet section leader and as a sister of Tau Beta Sigma, the national honorary band sorority; and holds a role as a regional officer for Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, a greek organization for music, where he serves the chapters of Upstate New York as a representative to the national organization. His work includes co-planning music events and business workshops, visiting chapters, and encouraging fellowship among his cohort.
That’s far from all.
This past summer, Tyler worked as a recruitment assistant for the iSchool’s Office of Undergraduate Recruitment and he currently serves the iSchool as a peer advisor, member of the senior squad, and student researcher in the NEXIS Lab. The Oswego, New York native has worked in Syracuse University’s Library, completing an internship with Sound Beat, too. He also became the first-ever archivist for Syracuse University’s independent student newspaper, The Daily Orange. The opportunity presented itself one day, and because he had the skills that fit the bill, he took on the task.
That energy and enthusiasm never seems to dip.
Tyler has long been drawn to study at Syracuse University: “It was my dream school,” he says. Part of the lure was the attraction to SU’s dynamic marching band, diverse curricular offerings, and the plentiful campus opportunities. After arriving on campus, the information guy in Tyler came into play. “After taking a semester to explore the iSchool and its opportunities, and meet its people, I just fell in love with it,” he says of the School of Information Studies.
“It’s just such a small, personable, and welcoming community. There’s never a time when you walk down the hall and you don’t know someone. The iSchool also means something different for everyone – small class sizes, access to technology, networking opportunities with faculty and staff, the community – it’s all dependent on what a student wants out of their college experience. I wanted all those things, in addition to a place that prepares me to go into the 21st century workplace.”
Open Mind, Lots of Options
What kind of careers could be in store for a music man who’s into information, preservation, and community-building?
“Technology intersects with every major field, and I figured I’d enjoy applying it to music. My interdisciplinary studies eventually got me interested in library sciences and how we go about preserving and sharing information with cultural connotations.” While Tyler would like to go into cultural heritage preservation or archival librarianship eventually, he adds that he’s keeping an open mind.
“I think today’s libraries are all about connecting communities. I think with my skills in information technology, along with a heightened cultural awareness from my studies in music history, I can take those experiences and apply them to libraries, as they are constantly changing. It’s great to be a part of that and to bring people together in ways that do so much public good.”
Even with a career picture in mind, Tyler is keeping the future open to all possibilities.
“I feel like I don’t have to have a plan right now. Now is the time to learn, to meet new people, and to eventually find opportunities. I think more doors will open over time. I’ve tried to get as much practical experience in the field as I can.”
After all, he suggests, if you don’t try new things, how do you ever know if you’re interested in something or not?
“Some of the opportunities I’ve had on this campus are because I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll try it out,’ Tyler says. “It really comes down to keeping an open mind. Syracuse is so interesting, anything can happen.”
