Education and route in:

I knew from sixth form that I wanted to work in the information sector in some form, perhaps as a researcher.  I decided that the best route for me was to study for a degree first, whilst doing some work experience in libraries, then to take a qualification in library and information studies at Master’s level.  I combined paid and voluntary work in academic libraries whilst I was an undergraduate.  I read English at Cambridge for my first degree, so was able to work in college as well as university libraries. 

This experience in the pharmaceutical company made me determined to work with health information, but my preference was to work in the voluntary sector. I was appointed as the first ever Information Officer for the Motor Neurone Disease Association on finishing my library and information studies degree.  Developing a service from scratch, I was immediately applying the full range of skills I had learned in my training.

Health information is a specialist area.  Since studying for my library and information studies MA, I have completed two part-time Master’s degrees to extend and update my skills: an MSc in Health Education and Health Promotion; and an MRes in Public Policy and Management.  Influencing how people access health information across the UK, rather than through individual services, involves working at the public policy level.  I continue to update my skills in this area. Currently, I am studying part-time towards a PhD in public policy.

Influencing public policy is partly a process of discussion with senior figures on the design and implementation of policy, but also a matter of demonstrating what improved information management can achieve. People need to be supported through the process of finding the information they can trust.  The explosion of information access through the Internet has increased the need for guidance through information sources and for effective information management – skills classically associated with librarians. 

What’s next?

I am currently studying part time for a PhD in public policy. Learning is an ongoing process and keeping information management skills up-to-date is also essential to avoid missing opportunities. In the voluntary sector, some posts combine Information and Policy at the Director level, which may be the next logical career step.

Best bit about my job:

I feel privileged to have a job in which I can make a difference to the information available to people who are making complex decisions about their health, particularly people making decisions about treatment for cancer.

Any downsides?

Working with public policy initiatives involves taking advantage of opportunities.  Sometimes unexpected opportunities arise; whilst this can be very exciting, it necessitates quick thinking and lots of time trying to persuade a range of other players to see options in a different light.

Health information needs to be a political priority if it is to be resourced and coordinated.  My job is to raise cancer information as a public policy priority and to manage strategic projects that improve access to information.  These projects necessitate classic librarianship skills, such as appraisal and classification of content, and the development of ‘whole system’ approaches to the skills and resources needed in different locations to enable people to access health information they can trust.  

Decisions about our health and lifestyle are some of the most important we ever make.  Despite this, much of the health information that is available is inaccurate or misleading, so people need to be guided to reliable sources to make informed decisions.  

On graduating, I needed a year of full-time work experience before starting an MA in Library and Information Studies at Loughborough.  I knew it would be easiest to find a job that would enable me to live with my parents for a year.  I went to the local job centre and was fortunate to find a one-year post as an information assistant in a pharmaceutical company’s information service.  I had always been interested in how health information enables us to make decisions about our lives.