I’m an information professional whose somewhat eclectic career has included research, writing, editing, online content development, and LIS career advising, among other activities.
In fact, I love what an adventure my LIS career has been! Since receiving my MLIS in the ‘80s, I’ve used my LIS skills to:
- conceptualize and create the first virtual academic library, working with a team of amazing academic librarians and LIS subject specialists
- create an information center literally “from the ground up” for a major industry association
- license and/or create the content for the first website devoted to helping people with disabilities live their fullest lives
- work with recognized thought leaders in the positive psychology field to create content for the first website devoted to mental health and well-being resources
- create and teach the first course on alternative LIS careers (still doing that one!)
I love my career today, but I can easily remember many moments when, despite my MLIS and my diverse set of skills, I was unsure of what professional path to pursue or next step to take.
That’s why my most rewarding work has been the opportunities I’ve had as an LIS careers expert to help individual students, alumni, new professionals, mid-career practitioners, and others achieve their best LIS careers.
As a part of that commitment, I created and teach a course in Alternative LIS Careers for the University of Denver MLIS program, and I’ve written over 300 articles and two books on information careers, including LIS Career Sourcebook (Libraries Unlimited, 2012) and Rethinking Information Work, 2d ed (Libraries Unlimited, 2016).
In 2016, I chaired SLA’s Students and New Professionals Advisory Council, working with graduate program student groups, their boards, and faculty advisors to help create a high-value, sustainable relationship between these passionate, hard-working volunteers and SLA.
In addition, I founded and manage the LinkedIn LIS Career Options group, with nearly 13,000 members from 75 countries. I continue to be amazed and gratified by members’ willingness to share knowledge and insights with each other. In 2017, I was honored to receive SLA’s Rose L. Vormelker award (the Rosie) in recognition of my work “actively teaching and/or mentoring students or working professionals.”
Over the past twenty years, I’ve worked with numerous graduate programs and professional associations to help them create outstanding career content, resources, and programs tailored to the needs of their specific constituencies, whether students, alumni, and potential student recruits or existing/new/potential association members. Throughout my career, I’ve tried to live by this simple commitment:
Be kind, do awesome work, and have fun!