Product Description

Today, information work offers you an unprecedented number of career options. Whether you are a student, taking your first steps in librarianship, a mid-careerist planning your next best professional move, or a seasoned information professional looking for new directions and growth; this practical guide can help you sort through the options. Leading you through a process of planning the information career of your choice, it shows you how to determine what type of work would be most fulfilling to you, explores what types of work are available to those with an LIS-based skill set, and helps you create an action plan for accomplishing your career goals and reaching your full professional potential.

The author discusses the entire spectrum of information work, revealing a wealth of possibilities you may have never considered. These range from work within traditional, facilities-based librarianship, working in library-related but not necessarily library-based jobs, and working in non-library related positions that utilize the traditional skill sets of the LIS degree, such as research, information organization, training and development, business development, non-profit work, and so on.

Designed as a text, this book can also be used as a self-directed guide. The author takes readers step-by-step through a fascinating process of career exploration and action. Taking into account the inevitable shifting priorities that occur throughout one's career, she emphasizes tools for lifelong career resiliency, rather than a rigid commitment to a single career goal. Thus, this is a book you will turn to again and again throughout your career. With numerous tables, worksheets, lists, and extensive bibliographies of recommended resources for further study, both print and on the web, you have everything you need to begin this exciting journey.

Customer Reviews (5)

Needs a website for updated resources
The only criticism that I have for this wonderful resource is that it needs a website where resources are updated.
I have returned to this book many times since I purchased it because I find something that I missed the time before.
Thank you to G. Kim Dority for putting this relevant information into print.

Library text book
This was required reading for our Library Science course.It's a good review of all the careers open to an Information professional/librarian.

Valuable Career Guide for Information Professionals
This career guidebook is such a valuable resource for students and information professionals of all types. Ms. Dority is an author who actually practices what she writes about.She has a successful career as an information professional and has not only experienced but partipated in the creation process of a variety of exciting and interesting job descriptions.Practicing librarians as well as information professionals who seek an alternative career path will find information in her book that is both motivating and inspiring.This book provides substantial information including worksheets, thought-provoking exercises, and both print and online resources.I was privileged to take the alternative careers class that Ms. Dority teaches and believe that it is one of the most important and stimulating classes offered in the Library and Information Science graduate program.The class, like the book offers students and professionals the opportunity to learn about the many career options that are available along with ideas on how to pursue the possibilities.An added bonus to the book is the related website that includes updated resources and a monthly column on alternative career paths for LIS professionals.Every LIS professional and student should own this book!

Rethinking Information Work is more than a book
Rethinking Information Work is more than a book.It is a manual and a reflexive companion that grows with you as you learn and reflect upon your career choices.I was fortunate enough to obtain a copy during my first quarter as an MLIS student.As I work through school, this book has become an invaluable resource.The format is logical, concise, easy to use, and endlessly helpful.The text is dynamic and the exercises are relevant.There are pointers and ideas regarding all aspects of librarianship that I would not have considered before reading this book.There are so many fresh ideas and creative approaches here that even in a rapidly changing information environment, this book will continue to be my #1 career resource and roadmap for a longtime to come.If you are an MLIS student or if you are remotely interested in a career in library and information sciences, do yourself a favor and buy this book.

Librarians: Expand your Horizons
Without doubt this is the clearest career guide ever written for librarians, library students, or others in interested in information-based careers. With libraries and access to information changing at a breath-taking pace, this guide will expand your world of possibilities and affirm your decision to serve in this field. Never has there been a work that so clearly delineates just what different kinds of librarians actually do, and what they could do with a bit of entrepreneurial ability. This book is an encapsulation of a class Kim has taught for many years at the University of Denver - a class in which she brought in traditional and non-traditional information professionals to explain what they do. Her experience in the business world comes across in the refreshing cross-pollination of up-to-date business and career literature integrated with library literature.

I highly recommend this book for the traditional librarian - it will affirm you chosen path; and for the student in search of a career future in changing times. You will be convinced that information professionals will always have a most important role in society. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Informative, but dry.
Laura Townsend Kane, Straight from the Stacks: A Firsthand Guide to Careers in Library Science (American Library Association, 2003)

Straightforward, if somewhat dry, book about, as the subtitle tells you, careers in library science. Each chapter covers a different area of the field, giving an overview, interviews with prominent members of the field, and a short section of recommended qualifications. It's very informative, but there's no sense of flair, of style, to make the average reader want to read about this stuff, much less get excited about it. The enthusiasm of the interviewees is obvious from their words, but still somehow comes across as flat. Worthwhile as a reference book, but pick it up from the library to give it a once-over before buying it outright. ** ½

Nice Overview of Jobs
This book profiles librarians in various work areas - public, academic, nontraditional, and management, among others. The librarians that were profiled talk about their jobs and various duties, and the education and experience that led them into their current position. I found it especially helpful that the author asked each librarian how they keep up with continuing education; regardless of the field they were in most librarians had similar responses (conferences and online discussion groups). This would be a good book not only for a library student but also library professionals who might be contemplating a career change. There are enough profiles here to read them through easily and see which types of librarianship you identify with.

Very informative with great personal experiences
I have been wondering what it is like to be a librarian, and I wanted to know the diversity of the job. This book covers exactly that, as advertised. One of the things I really liked about the book was at the end of each chapter there was a brief synopsis of specific duties and requirements to specialize in that particular field. The personal stories were the most informative and interesting. This is a great book for beginners like me, and, I suspect, it would be interesting for experienced librarians as well.

A very handy and "user friendly" introduction
Straight From The Stacks: A Firsthand Guide To Careers In Library And Information Science by Laura Townsend Kane (Head of Cataloging & Acquisitions, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Library, Columbia, South Carolina), is a very handy and "user friendly" introduction for library students, paraprofessionals, practicing librarians, and anyone else seeking to learn as much as they can about information service careers. Straight From The Stacks is a superb guide addressing a number of common questions ranging from "Where can I apply an advanced degree in library science" to "What experience and training do I need", along with sample job descriptions, firsthand career information from real librarians, required qualities for success in a variety of library-related jobs and more. No Library Science reference collection can be considered complete without the inclusion of Laura Townsend Kane's Strait From The Stacks! ... Read more

Product Description
This Software Engineer edition has been completely revised and rewritten and is designed to work in conjunction with the latest best practices. At the heart of this Guide's formula for your Software Engineer Role are five questions: Where does the Software Engineer's role fit, What does it mean to be or become a Software Engineer, How to be a Software Engineer, When is a Software Engineer successful and Why be a Software Engineer. This Guide has all the answers and sets you up, well on your way to finding, keeping and being successful in the job you really want.

This book is not filled with theoretical babble but practical and useful information, knowledge and experience!

Packed with time-tested advice, This Software Engineer Handbook works as a good companion for those just starting out in the "real world" as well as for those who are thinking seriously about a career change.

It is with incredible ease, yet depth and understanding that this book ploughs through the important issues that concerns not only HR managers and CIOs, but anyone who wants to climb up the Software Engineer ladder, this Guide is filled with Valuable hints, tips and guidance on how to successfully be a Software Engineer.

The Software Engineer Job Description Handbook has helped thousands of people find truly satisfying work. This guide tells you how you process information, make decisions and interact with the world around you in your Software Engineer role - and shows you what works best. Then, using real-life examples to highlight the strengths and pitfalls of the Software Engineer, it shows you step-by-step how to ensure the best results in the shortest period of time.

And if you plan to stay in your job, the Software Engineer Guide provides savvy advice for getting the most out of your current career. Every other career guide offers generic, one-size- fits-all advice. But because it is based on this specific career, The Software Engineer Handbook helps you determine what you need to be more successful and satisfied.

... Read more

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Features: computer and video game designers; computer engineers; computer network administrators; computer programmers; computer service technicians; computer systems programmers/analysts; quality assurance testers; software designers; technical support specialists; and, webmasters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Featuring 20 computer-intensive careers
Ferguson Publishing's new Discovering Careers For Your Future: Computers is the latest entry in a truly excellent, "reader friendly" children's series: "Discovering Careers for Your Future". Three other volumes in this fine collection deal with careers in Art (0894343882), Constructions (0894343904), and History (0894343912). This particular volume focuses on careers involving computers - and in today's age, nearly every well-paying task requires at least a passing familiarity with a word processing program! Featuring 20 computer-intensive careers, with complete job descriptions, including salary ranges, job outlook, and educational requirements, Discovering Careers For Your Future: Computers shows all and tells all for inquiring young minds. The entire series is very highly recommended for students grades 3 through 6. ... Read more

Product Description
Provides a step-by-step instructions to connect to the Internet, search for jobs online, and prepare your museum for online submission. Interviews with online recruiting professionals that give you the inside scoop on what to do and what not to do.Softcover. ... Read more

Product Description
If you’ve ever considered a career in journalism, this could be the book for you!

So, you think you might want to go into journalism, but you’re not quite sure what it takes.

If this describes you, read on and learn from one of the best journalism books available today.

From journalism basics to complete journalism career information, “Journalism Career Information: Beginner's Guide to Becoming a Journalist” is your one stop resource for everything needed to know about journalism as a career option.

In “Journalism Career Information: Beginner's Guide to Becoming a Journalist” you will find the answer to your question “why choose journalism as a career”.We will give you the insight needed to answer this question and many others.

Here is just some of what you will find inside “Journalism Career Information: Beginner's Guide to Becoming a Journalist”:

• What Is A Journalist
• What Type Of Degree Do I Need
• The Rules Of Journalism
• What Does A Copy Editor Do?
• Online Journalism: The Way Of The Future
• And so much more!

This book is jam-packed full of journalism information guaranteed to help you see whether a career in journalism is for you.We offer a complete set of journalism tips and insights to get you on your way to a rewarding career in journalism.

From journalism rules to journalism guidelines, when you have your copy of “Journalism Career Information: Beginner's Guide to Becoming a Journalist” in your possession, you have all you need to start out in the field of journalism, confident that you know what you are doing.

So why wait?Get your copy today!

... Read more

Product Description
A professional dancer who performed in 49 countries and 45 States provides hundreds of job contacts she collected during her career, covers thoroughly the business aspects of succeeding as a professional performer, and inspires dancers with her positive advice. There is extensive information on all possible avenues of a dance career, a plethora of dance information for every major US city where dancers can perform for a living, and interviews with 20 other professional dancers, including Broadway performers. All questions about leading the life of a successful professional dancer are answered in this unprecedented, 344-page book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A MUST HAVE FOR ALL DANCERS!!!
This Sourcebook has ANY and ALL information that every dancers should absolutely have! Even as a dance major, there wasn't an emphasis on HOW to start AND maintain a successful dance career from a business perspective but everything is very clearly written and outlined. From how to write a cover letter, a resume, sample resumes, doing a demo reel, audition tips, different avenues of dance careers, etc... and the best part is ALL of the valuable detailed contact information for castings for all different types of dance jobs...all the research is already done for you! And she writes it from her own professional dance experiences so you are getting a first hand account which is informative and yet also entertaining to read...Plus its on a CD-ROM which makes it very easy to navigate through specific topics. This Sourcebook is useful for any dancer no matter what stage they are in their career...I definitely have found the information in here invaluable!!! Five stars all the way! ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Exploring Health Careers, 3E provides a comprehensive overview of the many career opportunities available within the health care field.Written from the perspective of health care professionals,readers are introduced to career descriptions, including educational requirements, salary information, skills and procedures performed within the various careers and much more. ... Read more

Product Description

This text is for undergraduate courses in Career Development or Career Planning.

The fourth edition of Building Your Career actively engages students in a new career decision-making model that involves reflecting, exploring, deciding and preparing for their immediate and long-term futures.Students progress through a process that uses the Internet and other hands-on activities to discover how their interests and strengths are compatible with the possible occupational and educational alternatives that they identify. Students also learn how to mount a job search and determine their readiness for the changing work world and the skills needed to succeed in the jobs of tomorrow. Instructors will find the process outlined in this book easily facilitates how they organize and develop their course. Supplemental materials and local information can be added to enhance the learning experience.