Information Scientist
What is the work like?
As an information scientist, it would be your job to make sure that high-quality and up-to-date information is easily available to your colleagues and clients. You may be known by other titles such as information manager, information officer or knowledge manager.
Your key task would be to develop effective systems to organise information for users. Your work might include:
- cataloguing, classifying and storing information
- researching and acquiring new resources
- making sure that information is up to date and comprehensive
- dealing with research enquiries from colleagues, managers or clients
- managing electronic information, for instance developing intranets or designing user-friendly search engines
- making sure that information systems meet data protection laws
- writing reports, briefings and website content
- managing an information budget
- training colleagues how to use information systems.
In some jobs you might also manage one or more information assistants.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become an information scientist you will usually need to be a graduate, with one of the following backgrounds:
- an information management or librarianship degree approved by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
- a degree in any subject, plus a postgraduate qualification approved by CILIP.
Several universities offer approved degrees in information management or information and library studies (course titles may vary). Check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.
If your degree is not in librarianship or information management, you could take a CILIP-approved postgraduate qualification in information management. Postgraduate courses may be offered one year full-time, two or three years part-time, or by distance learning.
Before you start a postgraduate course, you should get up to a year’s experience in a library or information services setting. You could do this through voluntary work or a graduate traineeship.
See CILIP’s website for a list of approved courses and details of graduate training opportunities.
Alternatively, you could start as an information or library assistant (with or without a degree), and work your way up to information manager. It may help your promotion prospects to gain NVQ levels 2 and 3 in Information and Library Services. See the Library Assistant profile for more details about getting in at this level.
What further training and development can I do?
As an information scientist or an information science student, you can apply for membership of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). There are five levels of membership, depending on your experience and qualifications.
Most information scientists aim for chartered membership of CILIP, and many employers will expect chartered status. For this you will usually need one or two years’ work experience as well as a CILIP-approved qualification. See CILIP’s website for full details.
CILIP and the Association for Information Management (ASLIB) both offer various short courses to help your professional development – see their websites for details.
With experience, you could choose to study for a Masters degree designed for mid-career professionals. These are often available part-time or through distance learning.
Where can I go for more information?
5th FloorSt Andrew’s House
18-20 St Andrew Street
London
EC4A 3AY
Information and Advice Service: 020 7936 5798
Email: advice@lluk.org
1 Phipp Street
London
EC2A 4PS
Tel: 020 7613 3031
London
WC1E 7AE
Tel: 020 7255 0500
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Salaries for newly-qualified staff are around £18,000 to £22,000 a year.
- With chartered status this can rise to between £22,000 and £30,000.
- Senior managers can earn £30,000 to £60,000 a year.
Salaries may be higher in the private sector.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
In a full-time job you would work between 35 and 40 hours a week, usually Monday to Friday. Your hours may involve flexitime or shifts, depending on your employer. Part-time work may be available.
You would be office-based and spend a lot of your time working at a computer. You may occasionally travel to meetings.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent organisational skills
- good spoken and written communication skills
- a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
- a logical and methodical approach
- problem solving ability
- good research skills
- a high level of computer literacy, especially with databases and the internet
- the ability to work with people
- an awareness of what information users need
- awareness of data protection laws.
What opportunities are there?
Opportunities are available in a wide range of industries, particularly science, business, manufacturing, law and architecture. You could also work for universities, or in the public and not-for-profit sectors, for example in trade unions, charities or local authorities.
Jobs may be advertised in the local and national press, publications for your own industry, and by specialist recruitment agencies.
Information departments are often small, so you may have a high level of responsibility early on, but may need to change employers to further your career. With experience, you could also choose to become self-employed as an information systems consultant.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open new window):
Lisjobnet
Information World Review
ASLIB Professional Recruitment
Infomatch
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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