An information officer manages and develops the procurement, supply and distribution of information for an organisation or client in support of their needs or objectives. Services may be provided internally and/or externally and deal with electronic information, especially online databases and internet resources, as well as traditional library materials. The role may also involve managing and exploiting internally produced information as well as sourcing and providing materials from outside organisations.
Information officers can be found in a wide range of organisations, including central and local government, public libraries, the health service, education, media, the financial and legal sectors and NGOs (non-governmental organisations).
The daily activities of information officers depend on the specific needs and size of the organisation or unit in which they are working.
Typical work activities include:
Senior staff may also have budgetary responsibilities.
Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree in library studies or information management may improve your chances. However, in posts where specific subject knowledge is useful, some employers prefer a degree in that subject followed by a postgraduate qualification in library studies/information management. This is most frequently the case for information services provided in scientific or technical contexts. Posts also exist where a humanities, social sciences or arts degree might be especially useful.
Entry is less likely if you only have an HND. Entry without a degree or HND is only occasionally possible and is becoming increasingly difficult, as employers frequently require evidence of research skills.
Most employers require a degree or specialist postgraduate qualification accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) (http://www.cilip.org.uk) . It is difficult to progress without relevant qualifications. A vocational postgraduate qualification at Diploma or MA/MSc level is highly desirable, unless your first degree is in information or library management. As well as full-time study, it is also possible to take postgraduate courses on a part-time basis or by distance learning.
CILIP publishes details of accredited courses on its website. Funding is available for postgraduate information and library management courses, but competition is keen, so apply early. Information management courses are also likely to be approved for career development loans.
Postgraduate library/information management courses require some pre-entry work experience, typically of at least one year. Many employers offer fixed-term appointments for one year, which are designed to provide relevant pre-entry experience. See CILIP Graduate Training Opportunities (http://www.cilip.org.uk/qualificationschartership/GraduateTrainingOpportunities) for further details. Some specialist recruitment agencies also offer vacancies for these posts.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
Some posts (particularly in the public sector) also require CILIP chartership (see training section).
It is illegal for employers to discriminate against candidates on the grounds of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation or religious faith. For more information on equality and diversity in the job market, see Handling Discrimination (http://www.prospects.ac.uk/links/discrimination).
For more information, see work experience (www.prospects.ac.uk/workexperience) and find courses and research (www.prospects.ac.uk/pg).
Chartered membership is the second level of professional qualification awarded by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) (http://www.cilip.org.uk) . Most members gain chartership two to three years after graduation. Applicants must:
Chartered membership of CILIP entitles the holder to use the letters MCILIP and is often a requirement for public sector posts and may be of advantage in other areas. The higher professional qualification is fellowship of CILIP and can be obtained from five years after chartered status and is awarded for achievement and contribution to the profession.
Short courses, conferences and seminars across a wide range of topics are offered by professional bodies such as CILIP and The Association for Information Management (Aslib) (http://www.aslib.co.uk) , as well as by some training consultants and employers. Many employers also provide or arrange for training in the use of electronic resources, such as online databases.
Post-experience Masters degrees for mid-career professionals are available on a full- or part-time basis, or by distance learning. Research degrees are also offered by university library and information studies departments.
Many employers are now paying more attention to continuing professional development (CPD) and there is an increased emphasis on competencies. Revalidation is open to all Chartered members who wish to gain evidence and recognition of their committment to personal professional development.
Taking on management responsibilities or specialising in particular professional areas, for example IT systems or training, are the usual routes to promotion. However, you should be prepared to move between jobs and employers to achieve this. It is often necessary to work in a variety of posts in order to gain experience in a range of functions before being considered for more senior positions. Many information units are not large enough to offer a clear structure for promotion to management positions, or even a great variety of roles.
Gaining chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) (http://www.cilip.org.uk) is sometimes essential to progress beyond qualified entry level in public sector posts. CILIP also offers post-qualification courses in specialist areas such as internet and intranet technologies, marketing and customer relations, and management development.
Information officers often move sideways or diagonally for career development, perhaps into associated and support industries such as commercial online database providers, publishers and larger booksellers or library software suppliers. These roles are typically in customer support, sales, training and management positions.
More experienced information professionals also work as information consultants, either independently or as part of a consultancy practice. University library and information management departments are involved in research over a broad range of specialisms in information science and management and there are some opportunities for research posts and higher degrees.
Special libraries and information units exist in a wide variety of organisations, including:
Although by no means comprehensive in its coverage of special libraries and information units, the publication Libraries and Information Services in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland (http://www.facetpublishing.co.uk/title.php?id=679-4) includes selected government, national and special libraries and is a good starting point for researching potential employers. However, an approach to the headquarters of any fairly large organisation should enable you to make contact with its information unit. Visits to several of these would enable you to find out first hand the variety of employment opportunities that exist in information management and perhaps even lead to invaluable work experience.
Search graduate jobs (www.prospects.ac.uk/links/jobvacs).
Recruitment agencies commonly handle vacancies. See: The Association for Information Management (Aslib) (http://www.aslib.co.uk) Infomatch, the CILIP Recruitment Agency (http://www.cilip.org.uk/jobscareers/infomatch/) Sue Hill Recruitment (http://www.suehill.com) Glen Recruitment (http://www.glenrecruitment.co.uk) City Professionals (http://www.city-professionals.com) Vital Information (http://www.vitalinformation.co.uk) and TFPL (http://www.tfpl.com) .
See also job hunting tips (www.prospects.ac.uk/links/jobhunt) and applications, CVs and interviews (www.prospects.ac.uk/links/appsinterviews).
The following Graduate Prospects and AGCAS products should be available in your university careers service. If you would like to purchase your own copy go to order publications to find out more.
The following Case studies are also available on prospects.ac.uk:
© Content copyright of or licensed to AGCAS (www.agcas.org.uk)
Written by Joanne Febry, University of the Arts London, August 2008.
The work of writers, editors and other contributors is gratefully acknowledged - full details on www.prospects.ac.uk/links/occupations. To view the terms and conditions for the material provided in this publication, please see www.prospects.ac.uk/links/disclaimer