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What to do With a Library Science Degree

A master's degree in library science can prepare one for a conventional library job in a school or town, but it can also open up a host of alternative career paths.

Career Alternatives to the Conventional Librarian

A library science degree is one of the new hottest post-graduate degrees for young people. Librarianship is no longer a dowdy, old-fashioned profession, but has been reinvigorated by new technologies and new blood. It is now even possible to choose whether to get a library science degree online or in a traditional setting. Whichever option students choose, they then have to pick a focus within the program that will set them on a career path. Career options are wide-ranging for each focus and with a little investigation, a student can find a unique job with a library science degree.

Work in an Academic Library

Academic libraries are located at colleges and universities. Librarians who work here perform all the jobs necessary to run a large library including referencing, attending the circulation desk, and helping students and faculty find information. In addition to this, an academic librarian can sometimes hold the same status as a faculty member, teaching seminars to students and holding one-on-one conferences with faculty and scholars. A general degree in library science is usually sufficient for this job, although sometimes the university will also require a master's degree in another area.

Become an Archivist

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the archival field is expected to grow 18 percent between 2016 and 2026. This career path is growing faster than most jobs, and may be a good option for those interested in record preservation and history. Archivists typically work in academic libraries or special libraries such as historical societies, although they can also work in museums. A focus in archives and records management prepares a student for this career path. A master’s degree in history is usually beneficial as well.

Consider Special Libraries

Special libraries focus in a specific area of study. Hospitals, medical schools, law schools and offices, museums, prisons, publishing houses, and practically any other large corporate or nonprofit organization have a library that needs a librarian. According to the Special Libraries Association, people in this job build a dynamic collection of information resources based on the organization's needs and use this information to help make decisions on new products and services. Usually people choose this career option if they have an interest in one of the specific fields. A focus in information management and policy will help to prepare a student for this option, but another degree is often required (such as a law degree for law offices).

Become an Information Service Professional

https://writemypaperbro.com/ service professionals provide research to corporations, writers, or any other individuals needing information. Often, these professionals are freelancers who have developed excellent research and writing skills in their undergraduate and post-graduate studies. Extensive knowledge of a certain area of study may be helpful in this choice.

Become a Systems and Technology Expert

A focus in information systems and technology will help a student become a technology expert. Technology experts may build websites, provide computer support, engage in programming and help organizations with storage, management and retrieval of records. This job typically pays more than a library job and is a good option for those who would rather work with the technical side of information services.

Be Open-minded With a Library Science Degree

A master's in library science will open a lot of doors in different careers, but graduates with that degree have to be willing to be creative. They must think of all the places that may need someone to organize information, and apply to them. If librarians have managerial or business skill they may even become a library managers or directors, which focuses less on the information side of the job and more on managing people and resources. Library science graduates simply must employ the information gathering skills they gained in grad school and will have to use in their future careers, and apply them to job hunting.

References

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