This page is designed to give information about the possible careers available to Information Professionals and those looking to work in this sector.

Pre-Library

There are two main ways to start a career in information. Firstly, many universities run degree or post-graduate information courses. The majority of post-graduate courses require about a year’s relevant work experience before being accepted on the course. A number of organisations run a system of oneyear contracts which act as a traineeship and can provide exposure to a wide variety of information work. These are known as pre-library placements. The majority of these contracts run from September to September but opportunities can arise outside these dates. Please note that our links section contains a list of universities and educational institutes which provide training in the library/information sector.

The second avenue is to enter the sector at a junior level and to work your way up. Finding the right first job is vital as it will be the base on which to build your career. The more exposure and training on relevant information processes and systems that you can obtain, the better. You should be aware that some organisations, particularly within the legal sector, now commonly insist on candidates having an information qualification. However, it is possible to find positions where a company is willing to sponsor you through an information course on a part-time basis. These opportunities are more common within the commercial sector. Whatever you decide Glen Recruitment can help.

Information Graduates

There are a large range of opportunities open to qualified Information Specialists. Organisations from across the corporate, financial, legal and public sectors require qualified professionals to provide them with the information they require and to manage that process. Information professionals are therefore highly valued, and are well rewarded, in a variety of fields.

The information sector is multi-faceted and there are various different paths that an information graduate may take. Undergraduate degrees may help guide applicants towards certain sectors (e.g. business, law). When considering the area they would like to specialise in, graduates should also consider which modules they enjoyed and excelled at on their information course. If you have finished a course and are still unsure of the area in which you would like to specialise, there are a number of graduate positions which offer experience in different areas. Holding such a position would provide invaluable insight into a working environment whilst helping to establish a solid knowledge and skills base from which to build a career.

Knowledge Management

Knowledge Management is a relatively "new" profession and the responsibilities involved in KM roles can vary greatly from organisation to organisation. Usually, the responsibility of most Knowledge Managers encompasses the following elements:

• gathering and disseminating information on new markets or competitors.
• providing research on the industries that a company's clients are involved in or the challenges that the clients are facing in certain markets.
• collating and rationalising information which an organisation had acquired over the years and the processes whereby this information is collected.

Because of the diverse range of skills that Knowledge Professionals require, there is no obvious career path into the profession. Nevertheless, there are a number of skills which are vital for any Knowledge Manager to hold:

• research: it is essential that Knowledge Managers have excellent technical research abilities.
• specialism: Knowledge Managers have to thoroughly know the sector they are working in. This enables them make sure that only relevant information is collated and to scrutinise research gathering techniques.
• communication: a Knowledge Manager must be able to work with a variety of individuals and be a solid team player. They must be capable of liaising closely with technical staff, to ensure that the best systems are in place, and be confident in communicating with top level executives/organisational personnel.
• IT: Knowledge Managers disseminate information and need to understand the workings of databases and/or intranets.

Knowledge Management is a growth sector, with more companies moving towards becoming "knowledge-rich" organisations. The profile of Knowledge Professionals is increasing and they are now a key part in various organisations’ structures. It is particularly exciting to work in and is constantly re-assessing, evolving and improving itself.

If you would like to find out more about career opportunities in Knowledge Management, from junior to senior level, please contact us.