Case studies : Information specialist: Megan

Megan has a BA English, an MA English Literature and an MSc Information and Library Management. She works as an information specialist for a university careers service.

I graduated from an English BA and took on a variety of different part-time jobs, including working as a library assistant in the British Library. I found I enjoyed helping others with their research and tackling enquiries, so I began working full time in an academic library. Although I wanted to work with information, I decided to do an MA in English Literature. I then took a qualification in librarianship to broaden my career options. My employer provided funding for an MSc in Information and Library Management, so I did this part time whilst working in a range of roles, including senior library assistant.

My current post in a university careers service was advertised as an internal vacancy. A library qualification was a requirement, but it was open to candidates who had not yet completed the dissertation, so I was able to apply. The role appealed to me because it was still within the higher education sector and provided a range of experience.

I work full time and spend over half my time on the Information Centre enquiry desk. With colleagues, I have responsibility for day-to-day collection management, including purchasing, cataloguing, classifying and reviewing stock, much of which is now online. I respond to enquiries either face-to-face, over the phone or via email. Enquiries vary enormously, from research on an occupational area or company to very specific queries that take time to answer. I also help to maintain our website and author short abstracts for our weekly email bulletin or news pages. 

I have a great deal of flexibility about how I manage my time and am largely able to make my own decisions. I value this autonomy and variety, although managing my workload can be a challenge.

I also enjoy working collaboratively as part of a wider team. I have contact with a range of people, within my team, the university and various other groups including prospective students and employers. I am involved in several working groups, looking at issues including how to promote our service and develop the website. I have the opportunity to contribute ideas and introduce change.

I intend to develop my role further to include more formal presentations to groups of students about our resources. Longer term, I think the range of tasks and responsibilities involved in this role are relevant to any sector, so my skills will transfer well.

My background in English has given me an ability to write clearly. To be able to scan quickly for content and credibility, and summarise the key points in a text, are essential skills when cataloguing and classifying new items or reviewing stock. My library qualification was essential and provides a general context to the work I do and familiarity with issues and debates within the profession.

If you are looking to get into information work, a background in customer service can be helpful, as most roles involve some contact with users. The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)  graduate traineeships are also an excellent way to gain the necessary experience for a range of information roles. Many careers services employ unqualified staff, so look out for vacancies even if you do not have a Masters degree.