In order to succeed in a competitive employment marketplace nothing goes without saying. It is good, then, that the Library and Information Management community has Ulla de Stricker and Jill Hust-Wahl who have recently collaborated to produce The Information and Knowledge Professional's Career Handbook. From the informative and descriptive Table of Contents through to the insightful Epilogue and Resources, Ulla and Jill cover the essentials of developing an engaged and dynamic career.
Starting with a simple declaration of intent with Why this Book, the authors point to a gap common to many specialized educational paths: that of translating knowledge, skills and expertise into a successful employment role that delivers value. In response, Ulla and Jill have crafted a succinct guide to navigating an Information Management career in any environment. The Handbook brings together commentary on resumes interviewing and image, good questions to ponder at any career stage, interesting interviews along with great scenarios, how-tos and examples.
The subtitle, Define and Create your Success, hints at a theme woven throughout the book: the importance of pursuing learning opportunities as a cornerstone of a career management strategy. Whether it is better understanding of oneself or a subject matter, Jill and Ulla make clear that taking the long view means putting time and money aside for learning and engaging with colleagues.
The personal interviews resonate with the power and value of Librarians, Information, and Knowledge Management professionals. They are an excellent depiction of the expansive career horizon for anyone in the field. As a mid-career Librarian I found myself inspired again by the breadth, depth and passion found in the Library and Information Management community.
This small book is bursting with useful, practical advice. It will be equally at home in a syllabus as in a personal library.
The Information and Knowledge Professional’s Career Handbook By Ulla de Stricker and Jill Hurst-Wahl. Chandos Information Professional Series, 2011. ISBN 9781843346081
