Studying a graduate Information Management course puts you one step ahead in the new information society that demands that every citizen is information literate if they are to benefit economically and socially. The rapid pace of technological change and other factors such as the globalisation of markets and the turbulence of business environments means that the need for employees with graduate level information management expertise is increasing. New information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly the Internet and the World Wide Web, are contributing to far-reaching changes to both business models and organisational processes. Against this background, the need for specialist expertise gained from studying a graduate course in information management is at a premium.

What is Information Management?

Information management is centrally concerned with identifying, organising, evaluating, storing and disseminating information in the most effective and efficient manner. Importantly, it involves understanding how organisations work, and how information strategies must take into account people's needs and behaviour. This involves using information systems and information technology to maximise information resources to meet organisational and individual requirements.

What Does an Information Manager Do?

Information managers are the people who can ensure that the right information reaches the right people, at the right time and in the right format. Therefore, the information manager commands a powerful mix of people skills and knowledge of organisational behaviour and processes, as well as the required information systems and resources. This is now making information managers increasingly more attractive to potential employers, since both private and public sector organisations are putting increasing emphasis on information as a source for competitive advantage.

What can you get from an Information Management Course?

Graduates from an Information Management course acquire theoretical and practical knowledge which they will be able to apply confidently in organisations of all kinds. Reflecting the multidisciplinarity of the field, graduate Information Management degree programmes offer a carefully chosen mix of social, management and technical aspects, such as information society, organisational learning and behaviour, information systems modelling or even website design.

Therefore, Information Management Master's degrees typically attract candidates with a diversity of first degree subject backgrounds, ranging from science and technology through to social sciences and humanities.

Career Prospects in Information Management

Information Management courses prepare graduates for careers as information professionals, or more broadly, for work in a wide variety of organisational, consultancy and research roles which also demand expertise in information and knowledge management. The emphasis of Information Management Master's programmes is usually on encouraging the development of a blend of knowledge, skills and awareness which will enable effective mediation between information users, resources and information systems in specific organisational contexts.

Students also acquire practical experience in the use of new ICTs and develop personal awareness and skills of relevance to information management in a variety of workplace roles, e.g. skills in information literacy, communication, group work and research

After completing, graduates from information management courses may go on to take up a specialist information management position - such as Chief Information Officer, Information Systems Manager, Knowledge Manager or Corporate Planner, to name but a few possibilities - but more broadly you will gain a solid foundation for taking up a variety of work roles in this rapidly changing society.

For instance, Jonathan Hyde who completed the MSc in IM in Sheffield in 2005 is currently employed by Cheltenham Borough Council as a Business Consultant in Web Technologies. From the same course, Chia-Hui Feng is now working as a Business Analyst for GDS Electronic Data Systems in Taiwan.

Article by:

Miguel Baptista Nunes and Ana Vasconcelos
Department of Information Studies
University of Sheffield