The Information Professional’s Guide to Career Development Online

Citation

Fourie, I. (2002), "The Information Professional’s Guide to Career Development Online", Online Information Review, Vol. 26 No. 4, pp. 279-280. https://doi.org/10.1108/oir.2002.26.4.279.3

The Information Professional’s Guide to Career Development Online is certainly the kind of book that every school of library and information science should hand to its students on graduation day. Abounding with essential factual information and enthusiasm, it can be seen as the ultimate guide to new graduates’ personal career development and future in the online information world.

In reviews I normally try to find something kind to say, but I seldom rave about a book. This, however, is an exception! In 401 pages Sarah Nesbeitt and Rachel Gordon offer excellent and stimulating advice on all facets of career development. The Internet is depicted as a research aid in finding job opportunities, as well as educational and network opportunities. These, and a number of other points, are considered essential for the information professional of the twenty‐first century who wishes to secure an exciting career.

The focus is on the use of online resources in career development. Aspects covered include getting connected, current awareness services, online networking, joining professional associations, how to take note of calls for papers and how to take part in conferences, reading and contributing to the professional literature, identifying programmes for basic and further education, the opportunities offered by distance education, scholarships and grants, job hunting, preparing an electronic résumé, and creating an online presence. The Information Professional’s Guide also contains three appendices on professional organisations and conferences with an online presence, English‐language library‐related publishing outlets with an online presence and a list of recommended sources.

The book is not only marked by relevant factual information; it also portrays a philosophy of career development that reflects the authors’ own enthusiasm and dedication in gathering information and practising what they preach. As an academic, it is especially this philosophy that I would like to share with students. The book is carefully edited, and it includes a remarkably detailed index. A Career Development Online Web page maintained by the authors supplements the book. The Information Professional’s Guide is essential reading for anyone taking his or her career in the online information world seriously. It is especially appropriate for new graduates.