LIS Career Sourcebook

Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction

Chapter 1: The LIS Career Universe
Framing Your Career Options
Who Needs What Information?
Exploring Your Career Options
Resources

Chapter 2: LIS Education Options
Do You Need an MLIS?
Finding an MLIS Program
Evaluating MLIS Programs
What about Online Programs and iSchools?
What Courses to Take
Financial Aid Sources
Does Getting an MLIS Make Sense? 5
Resources

Chapter 3: LIS Job Hunting
Decide on Potential Job Opportunities/Career Paths
Research the Relevant Job Market(s)
Understand Your Value Proposition
Polish Your Job-Hunting Tools (E-Portfolios, Resumes, and Cover Letters)
Build Your Professional Brand Online before Applying for Jobs
Launch Your Job Search
Interviewing and Negotiating
Should New Grads Take Non-LIS Jobs?
Temping as an Interim Job Solution
Resources

Chapter 4: Start Your Career off Right
Communicating Effectively
Becoming an Effective Team Player
Responding Positively to Change
Getting Things Done
Staying Professionally Current
Importance of Self-Leadership to Your Career
Resources

Chapter 5: Learning
What Will You Need to Learn?
How and Where Will You Learn?
Finding Your Learning Path
Resources

Chapter 6: Building Your Professional Network
What Is a Professional Network?
Building and Sustaining Your Professional Community
Introverted? You Can Still Build a Network
Still a Student? Start Building Your Network in Grad School
Networking Strategy
Benefits of a Professional Network
Resources

Chapter 7: Establishing Your Professional Brand
Key Characteristics of a Professional Brand
Career Branding, Social Media, and Introverts
Building Your Brand in Grad School
Why Your Professional Brand Is Really Important to Your Career
Resources

Chapter 8: Managing
What Is Management?
Management Insights
Key Management Challenges
Resources

Chapter 9: Leading
Definition of Leadership
Becoming a Leader-The Outside Perspective
Becoming a Leader-The LIS Perspective
Gender/Gen-Y Frames and Leadership
Resources

Chapter 10: Going the Independent Route
Types of Independent Work
Is Being an Independent for You?
Ways to Approach Independent Work
Questions to Consider before You Leap
Creating Additional Revenue Streams
From Solo to Small Business (and Everything in Between)
Resources

Chapter 11: Transition Points: Finding Opportunity in Change
Taking a Career Time-out
Relocating Your Career
Moving into a New LIS Career Opportunity or Industry
When Your Career Change Is a Layoff
Retiring-Or Not
Exploring New Directions
Resources

Appendix: ALA, CLA, and SLA Groups
Index