MLIS Career Resources
When searching for that perfect job, the Information School and the UW Center for Career Services offer many resources, We encourage you to look outside our doors and explore every possibility. Just a few are listed below!
Information School
The Information School Office of Student and Academic Services (OSAS) provides guidance to UW students and graduates who are seeking employment.
The Information School maintains two e-mail distribution lists of job postings and a list of potential employers for iSchool students:
- iStuJobs. This list is for student job postings (opportunities for enrolled students). Anyone can subscribe and post to this open list. Employers can simply address messages to istujobs@u.washington.edu and they will be posted. View the iStuJobs Archives.
- iProJobs. This list is for professional job postings (opportunities for students after graduation). Anyone can subscribe and post to this open list. Employers can address messages to iprojobs@u.washington.edu and they will be posted. View the iProJobs Archives.
In addition, Marie Potter, MLIS Academic Advisor, offers individual assistance on résumé development and interviewing techniques.
UW
Individual Advice and Services
- The UW Career Center offers year-round services for students and alumni. It is located in Mary Gates Hall (MGH) 134, off the First floor Commons.
- Receive résumé advice or other quick tips during a 15-minute walk-in appointment or by e-mail.
- Schedule a personal appointment or a mock interview with a job counselor by phoning 206-543-0535 or dropping by the Center.
- Check the calendar for events such as Career Week, career fairs, and résumé and portfolio workshops.
- Use the repository service to make your letters of recommendation available online.
- Jobs and internships can be found through GradStudentJobs and HuskyJobs.
Advice and Services
- ALA's Get A Job! Toolkit is an interactive website with tips, narrative and suggested links and readings, comments, podcasts, and activities/checklists for new librarians and support staff, those looking to change position, people who have been laid off, and others who are having difficulty finding the right position
- ALA Résumé Review is offered in person at ALA's annual conference and midwinter meeting or by e-mail year round.
- Chronicle of Higher Education includes jobs, job-market news, advice for the job seeker, and other resources.
- Information Resources for Information Professionals offers general interest, trends, job postings, listservs, etc.; managed by Joe Ryan, Syracuse University.
- Job information plus preparing résumés, cover letters, interviews, and thank you letters; compiled by Ann Robinson, Assistant Reference Librarian, University of Illinois, Chicago.
- Résumés and cover letters, prepared by the California Job Search Guide.
- Job hunting in a non-bubble economy in two parts: Part I: Résumés and Part II: Interviews.
- Library Career Information offers advicie and lists jobs across the country; maintained by University of Buffalo.
Job Posting Sites
- ALA Employment Opportunities contains current and previous listings in American Libraries and College and Research Libraries NewsNet and links to the ALA Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment, and the LITA job site.
- CareerJet searches a growing selection of job-posting sites in one pass.
- Chronicle of Higher Education includes jobs, job-market news, advice for the job seeker, and other resources.
- International Librarian Job Postings lists Library and Information Science vacancies in UK, Europe, USA, and Worldwide.
- JobLIST allows you to search through job ads and employer profiles as well as send employers a message or resume to express your interest in working with them.
- Librarian's Job Search Source lists jobs by specialty, by state, agencies, links to non-US jobs, library employment guides and a general job database; maintained by Rachel Singer Gordon, Franklin Park Public Library.
- Library Job Hunting lists US and Worldwide organizations and job information, nationwide job ads, and other job information compiled by Ann Robinson, Assistant Reference Librarian, University of Illinois, Chicago.
- Library Job Postings on the Internet sorts library jobs by location and type of library; compiled by Sarah L. Nesbeitt, Maxwell Library, Bridgewater State College.
- LISjobs.com offers job postings, informative blogs, and a newsletter; site maintained by Rachel Singer Gordon.
- Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) Jobs Page provides information for people looking for jobs, sorted by New This Week and Region.
- MLS-Related Job Listings in U.S., maintained by the North Carolina Central University School of Library and Information Science.
- Networked Librarian's Job Search Guide links to over 100 job-listing sites for librarians and information science professionals. Positions listed by association, specific employer, multiple employer, by specialty and region. Very comprehensive site with helpful links.
- Pacific Northwest Library Association Job Openings
- Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Special Libraries Association
- Washington Library Media Association Jobs
- WorkSource Washington Centers provide many information, technology, and services for job seekers. Post your résumé or browse local newspaper adds and national job boards/search engines (select Job Links on the main page).
Listservs
- School Library Media jobs listserv; maintained by School of Library and Information Science, Indiana University, Bloomington.
- Employment Resources for Librarians Listserv Subscription Information includes information about Acrlny-L, Atlantic Canada, British Columbia, Florida, Libjob-L, Libjob@firefly.prairienet.org, New Mexico, Pacific Northwest Library Association, University of Alberta, Web4Lib@Library.Berkeley.edu; maintained by the networked librarian.
- LIBJOBS is an Internet mailing list for employment opportunities for librarians and information professionals, from IFLANET.
- NEWLIB-L is a discussion list for librarians new to the profession who wish to share experiences and discuss ideas, issues, trends, and problems faced by librarians in the early stages of their careers. However, this list is also of interest to those who are considering becoming librarians, and for established professionionals who might wish to mentor newcomers.
Articles and Links
Potential Employers
- Amazon.com
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Corbis
- King County Library System Employment Opportunities
- Microsoft
- Seattle Public Library
- Sno-Isle Regional Library System
- Timberland Regional Library
- University of Washington Employment
In addition to Library Positions, check Staff Positions. Under Staff Positions, the Administrative/Managementand Professional, Technical, and Researchlinks list web, systems, and other information positions such as Software Technology Manager, Interface Design and Usability Engineer, Web Developer, and Database Project Coordinator.
- University of Washington Libraries
UW Libraries maintains an employment page, including Graduate Student Positions that are available only for current iSchool MLIS students.