The Information Management Skills Gap: An Analysis of the I-School Curriculum

Author: Kurt Brenneman, Sr. Market Analyst

For 10 years, Outsell has noted that information managers have had a tough time hiring new librarians with the necessary skills – business, technology, and digital content skills, and more – for enterprise IM functions. Some enterprise information managers no longer look to new I-school graduates to fill new entry-level vacancies because they believe that I-school curricula are not encompassing nontraditional skills. The wide “skills gap” means new graduates are not qualified for critical roles in today’s enterprise IM functions. This report defines the gaps by comparing the course offerings of leading I-schools with the skills sought for entry-level enterprise IM jobs. It then suggests how both sides can close the gap. This report includes:
- An analysis of essential skills required by advertised jobs;
- A measurement of courses addressing each of those skills at the top 10 I-schools;
- Examples of notable courses for each skill available at the top 10 I-schools;
- Recommendations for how I-schools can begin closing the gap;
- Implications for information managers.