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MLIS Program
2004 Randolph Avenue
Mailstop #4125
St. Paul, MN 55105

Email: imdept-at-stkate.edu
Phone: 651-690-6802

Beyond the Typical Career Path

What if you love the study of library science, love the activities involved with library science, but aren't thrilled with the prospect of becoming a reference librarian or cataloger?

In truth, all library positions have been altered by the advent of e-communications and by the widening of the profession to encompass all aspects of organizing, processing, using, and analyzing information. But some job titles, like "New Media Librarian" and "Information Broker" are clearly more "alternative." This page exists to help you navigate those alternative career options both within and without libraries.

LIS Career Web

Darwin McGuire's comprehensive search for career options lead him to write the article Librarians in the Information Age: Alternative Uses of the MLS Degree" for liscareer.com, complete with bibliography. Have fun with figure 2, where you can combine a term from column C with one from column A or B (with results such as "Assistant Cybrarian" or "Digital Enterpeneur").

MLIS Advisory Council's Findings

The MLIS Advisory Council, comprised of professionals in typical and non-typical library careers, compiled a list of "alternative" career areas. Do any sound interesting to you?

Vendor-related positions

Positions where LIS trained professionals would excel because of their background using various products and services and helping others do the same.

Sales positions (where clientele includes librarians)
Tech/Customer Support
Research & Development
Book publishers (e.g. editing, indexing)
Training
Web/software development
Product development and design
Indexers/abstractors

Positions in Business

The ability to research and distill information is a necessity or perk for some business careers.

Business analysts
Market research
Research Analyst
Competitive Intelligence (analysts, collection expert, manager)
Project Management
Product Management (specifically content or online database or software)

Social Justice/Non-profit

These leverage information resources and publications in support of underserved, neglected or abused demographics. The democratic nature of information transparency is key to these positions.

Awareness Coordinator/Communication Director
Grant researchers
Social Worker (dual professional degree?)

Fundraising

Positions that benefit from an ability to research funders or donors and present information to help in a user-friendly manner

Grant researchers
Grant writers
Development officers

Blended Librarians

Positions that combine traditional library skills with an ability to use technology effectively.

Tech support
eLearning Specialists
Web/software developers
Virtual librarian (answer questions via web ex. Google)
Instructional Designers

IT

These capitalize on an ability to organize data, to understand use of data, and where experience using technology tools is an asset

Database designers
Web site developers
Content managers
Search engine optimization specialists
Information architects
Usability specialists
Taxonomists

Investigative

The ability to find information is essential to these

Background checker
Executive recruiting firms
Investigative journalist
Desk PI (assist Private investigators or work for law firms or PI firms)
CIA/FBI analyst

Publishing

Positions that require high-level reading comprehension

Journalist
Editor (magazine, book, university/college administration, non-profit etc)

Bibliography:

Non-Traditional Jobs for Special Librarians

The US Dept of Labor

Occupational Outlook

Information Architect Related Careers

Information Use Careers

Knowledge Management Careers

The College of Saint Catherine is an equal opportunity educator and employer.