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Title:
The Information Professional's Guide to Career Development Online
Review:
Career development is becoming more important than ever in the fast-
changing world of information management. Developments in information
technology, flatter management structures and changing management
trends mean that information professionals need to work hard to ensure
that their skills, experience and contacts keep abreast with changes.
Sarah L Nesbitt and Rachel Singer Gordon aim to encourage information
professionals to use online resources as a tool for career
development. Traditional career development activities such as job-
hunting, networking, keeping up to date with new developments and
contributing to the literature can all be done via the Internet.
Career development for many suggests job-hunting but this book
demonstrates that looking at online job postings is not the only or
most significant way in which the Internet can enhance your career.
Practical advice is provided on topics ranging from current awareness
services and personalised Web pages to educational and networking
opportunities, online conferences and discussion lists.
The authors practice what they preach, and provide a marvellous
example of online networking in their own approach to this book. The
authors met via the Internet, and collaborated online via frequent
email exchanges.
Career Development Online takes a practical and down-to-earth
approach. It gives many examples throughout, and does not take a
"techie" approach. In fact, the introductory chapter on "getting
connected" will probably be a bit too basic for most information
professionals. The biggest asset of this publication is the vast
number of online resources included, and the authors have created a
companion website to ensure that the online resources recommended in
the book remain relevant and accurate.
The only criticism of this book is that it has a very strong Canadian
and US bias. In particular the chapters on educational sources, and
professional associations do not carry many useful links for UK based
information professionals. The appendices also carry few international
links. However, the resources listed do provide examples of the type
of information available on the Internet, and the guidance applies to
UK information professionals just as much as to our US counterparts.
As online resources increase the Internet will be even more central to
career development. This publication will be useful for all
information professionals regardless of where they are on the career
spectrum. It can be placed on the bookshelf and dipped into for
assistance when necessary to enhance professionalism and improve
career opportunities.
Free Pint Reviewer:
Diana McAuley is Deputy Manager of the Trade Partners UK Information
Centre. Prior to that she worked as an information officer in the
voluntary sector for four years, and she is currently struggling
through the LA chartership process. In her current position she
researches websites of interest to UK exporters, so is particularly
interested in online searching.
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