Sources of Careers Information
A number of information-related and more generalist organisations and publications provide useful sources of careers information in the library and information work area. A number of them are given below.
Websites for Library Trainees
OWL: Oxford Website for Library Trainees
OWL is designed for those thinking of a career in the information sector, as well as current library trainees both in and out of Oxford. It aims to provide all the information anyone might need to make an informed decision as to whether this is the career for them. It provides details of: Library Trainee posts in Oxford; Oxford life; Careers in libraries; Applying to Library School; and Links to other useful resources/sites.
ExULT: Exeter University Website for Library Trainees
This website, maintained by the library trainees at Exeter University, provides careers information for prospective, current and former library trainees. Useful links to other relevant sites are maintained.
CATALOG: Cambridge Trainee Librarians Online Group
CATALOG is a website for prospective Graduate Trainee librarians. "This site is designed to provide prospective applicants with a feel for life as a trainee, a guide to living in Cambridge and useful links to other helpful sites. Even if Cambridge is not where you eventually end up, we hope to provide you with the information to make an informed decision as to whether the graduate traineeship is right for you."
Other LIS-related Websites
FreePint
This free website contains news, reviews, events etc. about the information industry and also has a separate database of job vacancies called JInfo. Links to other sites are also maintained.
LIS-related Publications
Your Essential Guide to Career Success by Sheila Pantry and Peter Griffiths, pub. Facet Publishing, 2003. (ISBN 1-85604-491-2, £19.95).
"How ambitious are you? Do you have a career plan? Are your skills up to date? Where do you want to be in three, five or ten years' time? This book is an essential read for any information professional eager to prosper in the library and information environment of the 21st century" It offers guidance on managing every stage of your career, whether you are a new entrant to the profession wishing to know how to get a foot on the ladder, an information professional in mid-career wishing to progress, or a candidate for a more senior position needing a view of the current state of the profession".
Information World Review
Information World Review is a monthly publication with articles and news about the information industry and its key players. Useful for keeping up to date with developments in the information market. Students can subscribe to this publication at a reduced rate.
Managing Information
Managing Information is published monthly by ASLIB and is aimed at information managers and presents a mix of features, news and reviews.
Other Publications
The Inside Career Guides
Inside Careers publishes a number of comprehensive series of career guides to particular sectors including: Information Technology, Management Consultants and Chartered Patent Attorneys.
These are intended for students, new graduates and young professionals considering a career in these professional sectors and covers a wide range of articles on all aspects of a career including: the diversity of opportunities for job seekers; the current issues and educational requirements; contributions by young professionals as well as senior staff in companies; a directory profiling the leading employers and course providers.
Prospects
The Prospects website is a major source of information for graduates, providing guidance and advice about jobs and employers, the graduate job market, work experience and working abroad, job vacancies, postgraduate study opportunities, Prospects Planner (an online career exploration program) etc.
In partnership with AGCAS careers advisers, it also provides a comprehensive range of graduate occupational profiles including amongst others:
- Information Services (Library and Information Management, Heritage and Museums Management; Social Research; Patent Work)
- IT, Economic, Statistics and Management Services (Programming, systems analysis and software engineering, computer systems sales and services, technical authoring)
- Counselling, Social and Guidance Work: Community Work (Advice workers)
These profiles are also published as AGCAS Graduate Careers Information Booklets distributed by University Careers Services.
Hobsons
The Hobsons website is similarly another main source of information for graduates, providing guidance and advice about jobs and employers, the graduate job market, work experience and working abroad, job vacancies, postgraduate study opportunities.
Hobsons publishes a number of Casebooks each year which detail career opportunities, employer details and graduate job profiles in a variety of different sectors. Casebooks are available for sectors including: Science and IT; and Management. These Casebooks are usually available free at University Careers Services.