Considering a career change: finding your fit with specializations

Computer and information technology employment is on the rise, with employers posting over 350,000 job openings annually. As this job market grows, so does the demand for professionals with specialized skills and expertise. Information managers boasting unique skill sets can improve their chances of securing desirable jobs with competitive pay and job security.

Graduate study offers the opportunity to develop specializations while adding a valuable credential to one’s resume. The Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM), offered by the University of Washington (UW) Information School in online and in-person modalities, provides students with specialization options suited to a broad range of prospective careers. This article discusses the value of specialization and explores the alternatives available to students in the UW MSIM program.

Why specialization matters in a career change

Expertise provides a significant edge in today’s competitive job market. Business intelligence, product management and project management are among the information management fields that require specialized proficiencies. 

If you’re a professional looking to transition into information management, you may already have experience that can help you choose a specialization. Many prospective information managers capitalize on past professional experience, for example, a marketing assistant looking to upskill in data analytics and product management to advance to a leadership role. To optimize your potential in your new career, you’ll need to supplement your prior experience with specialized information management capabilities.

As you consider specializations, keep in mind what interests and inspires you. When professionals focus on their strengths — activities they excel at and enjoy — they are happier and better equipped to deliver value at work. According to Marcus Buckingham, a thought leader in strengths-based management, “You will learn the most, grow the most, and develop the most in your areas of greatest strength. Your strengths are your multiplier.”

Individual contributor or leadership?

Awareness of your preferred work style enables you to forge a satisfying career path as you pivot. Do you aspire to a leadership role? Or do you prefer working as an individual contributor? Both executives and individual contributors are crucial to the success of businesses and institutions. However, the roles require different temperaments and skill sets.

• Individual contributors work in non-management positions, focusing on specialized tasks that further an organization’s mission and target objectives. They may work independently or on a team, but they do not manage other employees. Individual contributor roles sometimes provide the flexibility to work on a full-time, part-time, freelance or contract basis. 
• Executive leaders contribute to an organization’s overall direction and objectives. They manage teams and departments to guide them to success and engage in strategic planning. They generally work full-time on structured schedules.

Some jobs combine elements of independent and managerial work; it’s not an either-or proposition. Find your comfort zone and plot your career accordingly.

The individual contributor path: becoming a specialist

Business intelligence and data analytics afford many opportunities for individual contributors. Technical expertise and hands-on skills enable professionals in these fields to complete complex tasks and projects with a substantial degree of autonomy.

The UW’s MSIM program prepares students for these strategic roles by developing the technical and problem-solving skills necessary to effectively utilize information. Through coursework and projects focused on real-world information problems, students learn to solve problems step by step, use data to develop strategic plans, and make ethical and socially responsible decisions. 

The leadership path: driving strategy and managing teams

Information management leaders oversee strategy and planning, supervise technology teams and drive decisions on technology procurements and upgrades. They contribute to the development of long-term goals and plans to achieve them. As people leaders, they motivate team members and encourage creativity and open dialogue. The UW’s MSIM program cultivates leadership and management expertise. 

Launch your career change with an MSIM

The UW’s MSIM program offers a flexible path for professionals transitioning to information management. It is open to students from all academic and professional backgrounds; there are no technical prerequisites (although students with little or no technical background may require foundational coursework — in SQL, for example — or may need to devote more time to homework, office hours and group assignments). The program offers three tracks, all of which support career-changers: Early-Career, Early-Career Accelerated and Mid-Career. Students in all tracks explore theoretical concepts, acquire applied knowledge and develop workplace skills that prepare them to lead complex projects connecting information, people and technology.

Specialization option for career advancement

Specialization in a discipline within Information Management enhances career advancement by cultivating expertise and targeted skills. Specialists develop expertise that enables them to effectively address complex organizational data challenges.

MSIM students can customize their programs to fit their interests and career goals through tailored specializations in these high-demand areas: Business Intelligence, Data Science, Program/Product Management & Consulting (online and residential); and Artificial Intelligence, Information Architecture, and User Experience (residential only). Students are not required to choose a predefined specialization. They have the option to combine specialization courses with other electives to create a personalized curriculum.

Hands-on learning and career support

The MSIM program emphasizes real-world situations and practical experience. Hands-on learning permeates the curriculum, with many courses concluding with a final group project, rather than an exam. These projects enable students to apply skills learned in the classroom, often in service of a real-world problem faced by an actual organization. Some MSIM courses consist entirely of hands-on learning. For example, the core course “Data-Driven Organizational Problem Solving for Information Management Professionals” requires students to complete an applied project throughout the term, solving a complex business problem by first learning and then applying data gathering and analysis skills. to solve complex information management problems. Hands-on learning permeates the curriculum.

The UW Career & Internship Center and the iSchool Career Services team offer MSIM students and recent alumni access to comprehensive resources to support their career journeys. Students receive advice, job search and transition assistance, resume and cover letter help, interview prep and more. They also develop a diverse network of peers, faculty and industry leaders that can help lead to career opportunities, internships and mentorship. MSIM students can also participate in career events and networking opportunities hosted by partner companies, organized by the school’s iEngage program.

Next steps: finding your fit with the UW MSIM program

Considering a career change? The UW’s MSIM program can help you acquire the specialized skills to transition into high-demand areas. Explore the MSIM program overview to learn more and to compare modalities. Review the specialization pages to determine which best fits your aspirations. To learn more about the program or requirements, request more information or contact an admissions advisor (online or residential) for guidance.