The careers of MA graduates: training, education and practice

Graduates of MA Librarianship programmes at the University of Sheffield were asked about their first and current professional posts, the relevance and value of pre-library school work experience, the content of the MA course, job mobility and job satisfaction. Work experience was seen to have had considerable impact on selection of course options and on career expectations but not on subsequent career decisions. Three out of four graduates were satisfied with their present jobs. The number employed in academic libraries has declined, with a significant proportion of graduates moving into jobs outside traditional libraries. The most positive comments on course content and relevance were made by those with most experience in professional posts.