ALTERNATIVE CAREERS: INFORMATION WORKERS, SKILLS AND FUTURES

Reports on the experiences of recently qualified library and information workers who work in a different field, taking its findings from the Class of ′88 National Cohort Study of newly qualified librarians and information (LIS) workers. The study was carried out by the Centre for Information Research at The University of Central England, Birmingham, and funded by the British Library. It found a high level of “wastage” from the LIS profession, suggesting that 36 per cent of the Cohort would have left LIS work 7‐8 years after qualification. Investigates the experiences of those who have already left LIS work, their career intentions and the skills they have and use. Findings suggest that most of the Cohort working in non‐LIS jobs: had “fallen” into their jobs; would not return to LIS work; were in professional posts; used skills learnt on their LIS courses in their non‐LIS posts.