Job: Special Librarian (a librarian not working in a public or community library)

Last Position: Entertainment publicist with a specialty in music

Education: Master of Library Science, St. John’s University. In 2009, McIver was awarded a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian full-tuition scholarship sponsored by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent federal agency and the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums.After working for more than 15 years in public relations in the entertainment industry, Denise McIver’s passion for research made her long for a career in a field that honors scholarship. In 2009 she pursued a graduate degree in library science at St. John’s University in New York City. As a special librarian, McIver helps people and businesses become familiar with the vast stores of information now available through technology so they can make better informed decisions. Librarians help those who are looking for information about marketing research, health or employment, or ways for Medicare recipients to avoid hospital readmissions in light of the 2012 Obama healthcare plan. The new information professional understands how to “capture” knowledge, leverage it, and then make it actionable.

Opportunities: As an information professional, McIver has worked on research projects in a range of industries. Because of how technology is changing how we access information—digitizing books, for example—opportunities have opened up for information professionals to assist in downloading eBooks; accessing study guides, employment or tax forms; as well as navigating apps and tablets. In conducting research for a client, McIver may delve into issues such as “smart aging”—ways to mitigate the effects of chronic conditions, or research ways to manage a hospital more efficiently.  Special librarians are becoming an important resource in a variety of industries, and opportunities abound in museums, international organizations such as the United Nations, various federal agencies, academia, hospitals, medical institutions, and many corporations and nonprofit organizations. Positions include research economist, curator, and director of research for organizations such as the Getty Research Institute. A Ph.D. paves the way to greater career advancement and mobility.

Clients: Curatorial internship at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York;
Phelps Memorial Hospital, Sleepy Hollow, New York; Neal-Schuman, a publisher of library textbooks and reference works; Jack Grapes, writer and publisher of Onthebus, a literary journal

Training: In addition to earning a graduate degree in library science, McIver took a class in digital preservation and website development to enhance her skill set. She’s currently taking an online course entitled Copyright for Librarians, offered through Harvard’s Berkman Center. Post-master’s certificates are offered by a number of institutions in specialties such as archiving.

Talents: As a new professional in the field and a confessed bibliophile, McIver considers her greatest talent to be her passion for sharing information. “I focus on understanding the needs of the user. My PR expertise has helped me promote the many assets of research services and given me an excellent grounding in customer service.”

Learning curve: The detailed specifics and analytics of scholarly research, including finding gaps and offering recommendations, were a challenge for McIver as a student. “In PR you focus on the five ‘W’s’! In graduate school, I learned how to navigate the research process, go deep, and then understand how everything interconnected. I also learned how to do more active critical thinking.”

Advice for aspiring librarians: “You must understand that your education doesn’t end the day you graduate. There is always more to know—you can never know it all. But as 21st century information professionals, we are committed to lifelong learning within the field. Remain current in best practices and emerging trends to stay relevant.”

Best lesson learned: “My graduate studies were grueling. I learned that no one holds your hand in graduate school or in life. The challenge reinforced my commitment and I graduated with a GPA of 3.97. Hard work, diligence, and discipline are the most important ingredients to any endeavor.”

For more information on library science, visit the website of the Institute of Museum and Library Services: www.imls.gov.

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We know the job market is filled with exemplary candidates, some holding degrees and work experience that go above and beyond the norm. We also know the usual career development track of going to school, getting a degree and hitting the pavement.

But, once all that’s said and done, how do you continue growing and molding yourself into a highly coveted professional who is at no loss for bigger and better job opportunities?

Brazen Careerist offers four ways to boost your professional marketability, so you won’t just rest on your degree-holding laurels.

1. Do-it-yourself
Sometimes you’ve got take educational matters into your own hands and exercise all the “can-do” enthusiasm you can muster. Living in a world where anything you’d ever want to know is a click of a mouse away makes it easy to pick and choose new skills to learn.

Someone who’s doing it: 22-year old Zoelle Egner recently transitioned from a position as a business analyst at a major retail company to a new role running marketing, communication and digital projects for an after-school provider.

Read more at Brazen Careerist …

But many experts disagree, citing the benefits of a course of study that includes mastering a diverse body of knowledge, from history to media to science.

AOL Jobs looks at four benefits of having a liberal arts degree and how degree-holders can effectively market themselves while job seeking.

You’re employable …
An important thing to remember is if you have a Bachelor of Arts it doesn’t mean you won’t find a job. There are positives and negatives to any field of study and the pros definitely outweigh the cons for liberal arts.

While there are many sectors that directly pull from the liberal arts, many companies (like Disney) prefer their entry-level employees to have a blank slate and will train on the job.

Read more at AOL Jobs …

AOL Jobs reports that despite the high cost of higher education, advocates contend that a college degree is indeed worth the investment, “resulting in total lifetime earnings that are about $1 million more than for those with a high-school diploma.” And with employers expecting workers to exercise more skills and take on the work load of other departments that may have been downsized due to the economic climate, having advanced training has become a necessity in today’s global climate.

Check out a breakdown of investment vs. return when it comes to higher education at AOL Jobs …

Entertainment industry veteran Shanti Das has written yet another book that packs a powerful pocket-sized punch with The 1,2,3s of Networking (Press Reset Entertainment Publishing; $7.99), detailing how to successfully build your professional network.

The author of The Hip-Hop Professional: A Woman’s Guide to Climbing the Ladder of Success (PressReset.me Publishing; $19.95), offers 30 tips in her new book on how to expand your professional contact base, with insight on when to introduce yourself, how to prep your elevator pitch and how to strengthen relationships with those already in your everyday circle.

Das, who has held positions in the executive suites of labels including Universal Motown, keeps the advice snappy and to the point and tailors it for anyone at any stage of their career — whether you’re a mid-level executive needing a quick refresher before a power lunch or a college student heading to that on-campus job fair.

‘Nuff said.

As part of our continuing back-to-school coverage, BlackEnterprise.com asked New Yorkers, “What are lessons you learned outside the classroom that you didn’t learn in it?” Take a look:

Videographer: Kahliah Laney

(Image: Thinkstock)

You’re working nine-hour days and attempting to pursue higher education. Leaving you with a mental imbalance, no social life, and an over-stressed situation, you’re having thoughts of ditching your job to become a full-time student. After all, besides the money, you’re not feeling what your job has to offer your future anyway.

For a moment you may be wondering ‘who does that?’ Who quits a full-time job to become a student? Well, surprisingly, in the midst of a recession, many people are choosing to turn in their work badge for a student I.D.

While some graduate and PH.d programs may be considerate of your work schedule and offer flexible options, others aren’t and may even recommend that you don’t work at all. Most PH.d programs prefer you to commit yourself to a full-time student status. The idea of leaving a stable salary and impressive benefits is not ideal; however it may be the best option if you’re serious about your studies and furthering your education and eventually your career.

Read more at Madame Noire …

(Image: Shutterstock)

In today’s job market, the more you know, the better. With more entry- to mid-level jobs requiring a master’s degree, many are finding that simply holding a bachelor’s degree just isn’t enough. While going straight to graduate school might be the likely alternative for some, many pursue jobs right out of graduation in order to survive financially. If you’re stepping out into the job market with your bachelor’s in hand, consider these strategies to help you beef up your knowledge and propel your career success:

Get certified. Consider enrolling in a training course or certification program for your desired career. Specialized training and certification programs usually last between six to 12 weeks and cost a couple hundred dollars per course. Most colleges and universities offer continuing education courses that will give you in-depth knowledge on a particular subject matter. Certification courses are offered in almost every area of expertise, such as social media networking, advanced accounting, animation, and global affairs. As a less time consuming, yet more affordable commitment, specialized training and certification courses are a great way to enhance your resume and qualifications.

Become an intern. Internships, fellowships, and other on-the-job training opportunities are an excellent approach to gaining practical work experience.  The problem that most undergraduates face is that they have a degree, yet no experience in their desired field. Those who go straight to graduate school often face this same challenge. In addition to gaining experience, internships and fellowships also allow you to determine whether or not you’ll actually enjoy working in your chosen industry.  Internships look great on your resume and if you perform well, can often lead to a full-time position with that employer.

Secure a side hustle. If a bachelor’s degree isn’t getting you the salary you need, and grad school isn’t in your immediate future, consider generating your own streams of additional income. Identify your special skill, passion or interest, and turn it into a revenue-generating hobby. It could be your love for baking, your ability to successfully plan events, or your knowledge of computers. Find your niche, learn as much as you can about your craft, and begin offering your services. If you have a particular area of expertise, you may even want to consider becoming a consultant.  You’d be surprised at the boost a side hustle can give your career and your bank account.

Join professional organizations. Becoming affiliated with professional organizations is one of the best ways to network, learn, and grow in your career. Organizations such as the National Association for African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR), the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), and the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) offer strong connections for professionals in their particular industries.  The annual fees vary but are well worth the professional development opportunities that most members experience. When trying to advance your career, it’s important that you establish and maintain lasting professional relationships. These types of organizations are a great way to get connected.

Be willing to relocate. With only a bachelor’s degree under your belt, it’s wise not to limit your job search to just one city, state, or even country. Since so many companies are sending their workforces overseas or to less costly states, it’s important that you keep your options open when searching. Young professionals are usually in a better position to make such relocations because they don’t often have the responsibilities of a spouse or children. A bachelor’s degree faces less competition in some rural or underdeveloped cities, and as a result might make it easier to find employment. In highly populated urban cities like Los Angeles and New York, where it seems like everyone has a bachelor’s degree, it’s a lot more difficult to compete.

Aisha Taylor (@realTAYLORmade) is co-owner and chief consultant at TAYLORmade Professional Career Consulting, a Web-based, full-service career consulting company committed to “equipping, preparing, and empowering today’s professional” globally. Check out her weekly insights on job-seeking and interviewing success every Friday on BlackEnterprise.com.