Use a Library Science Degree

Technology advances mean that Library Science degrees extend well beyond the library. The advent of electronic resources has changed the face of reading and research. Library Science grads are likely to find themselves working as "data miners" or performing competitive intelligence for multi-billion dollar corporations. Review the information below to discover the many uses of a Library Science Degree.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• A degree in Library and Information Science from an accredited university
• Resume

1. Start job hunting. A degree in Library Science will always secure you a position in a public or academic library, but also look into law firms, hospitals and corporations. Businesses of all types need proficient researchers and individuals who can organize information. From architecture firms to seminaries, there is no shortage of positions for information specialists.

2. Apply for a job as a business or law librarian. Highlight your education as it pertains to reference services and competitive intelligence. Discuss your experience using major research databases and online resources. Call yourself an Information Specialist and highlight your collection management, online information retrieval and usability expertise. Adapt your skillset to the desired position's needs and requirements, and demonstrate how an information specialist works in the context of a legal or business setting.

3. Look for information technology positions. Call yourself an Information Architect and focus on the field of Informatics. Discuss your database management knowledge and note your programming abilities. Stress your digital design skills, online information retrieval and usability expertise. Again, adjust your skillset to the desired position's needs and requirements.

4. Explore the world of publishing. Publishing houses hire individuals with Library Science backgrounds to perform fact checking, locate materials and create finding aids. Highlight your advanced research skills and cataloging or indexing abilities.

5. Think about records management and archiving positions. Work in a rare book collection or in a museum setting archiving historical material and artifacts. Highlight your training and education in conservation and preservation studies.

6. Be ambitious. Think about the type of environment you would like to utilize your Library and Information Science degree, and go for it! From radio stations to art galleries, more and more companies need information gurus. The industry of information is ever-growing, so adapt your sought-after research skills to just about any setting, and get to work!

Tips & Warnings

• Don't lie on a resume. While you should always play up the relevant skills, never misrepresent yourself.

• Start out as an intern or volunteer, and then work your way into a permanent, higher paying position.

• Look into patent librarianship. This highly specialized researcher makes big bucks.