7 Alternative Careers For Librarians (With Salary And Tips)

Updated 29 December 2022

It is common for professionals to seek a change in their careers if they are not experiencing professional fulfilment in their current roles. Fortunately, those with widely applicable skill sets can often easily move into other industries and professions. If you are a librarian and you are considering a career transition, it may be helpful for you to review professions that may require similar skills and qualifications. In this article, we outline the benefits of a career change, list alternative careers for librarians and provide tips for making a successful transition to a new profession.

Benefits Of A Career Change For Librarians

While working as a librarian may help some professionals find fulfilment, there are many benefits of making a career change from this role. Here are a few of the advantages of transitioning into a different career path:

Potential for growth and advancement

Some librarians face challenges regarding a lack of advancement or professional growth in their careers. If you have an interest in developing new skills or working in a senior-level role, you may consider changing your career path so you can accomplish these goals. There are numerous careers and industries where you can use your librarian skills to succeed and grow.

Increased flexibility

Librarians commonly work a standard full-time schedule, Monday through Friday, to accommodate visitors during traditional business hours. If you have important commitments outside of work, making a career change may provide you with a more flexible schedule. You may opt for roles where you can work part-time or jobs with flexible working hours instead of fixed traditional business hours.

Improved professional satisfaction

You may find yourself wanting a role that more closely aligns with your values, provides a better work–life balance or offers a higher compensation. In this case, making a career change may improve your job satisfaction. In your transition, pay close attention to these parameters to ensure that your new role meets your requirements.

Higher rates of compensation

The national average salary for a librarian in India is ₹18,931 per month. They may also receive various employer-sponsored benefits as part of their compensation package. If you aspire to earn a higher salary, you may opt for a career change. Transitioning to a new career may help you earn higher rates of compensation or provide better benefits, depending on the role and industry you choose to enter.

Better work environment

Working in a library often requires you to interact with others and assist them with their research and resource requirements. This type of work environment may not align with your preferences. In this situation, you may want to consider a career change to find a setting that accommodates your work style.

7 Alternative Careers For Librarians

Alternative careers for librarians often require transferable skills that allow for an easy transition between careers. Librarians often possess skills in critical thinking, research, analysis, teaching, cataloguing, communication, documentation and technological implementation. These skills are often in high demand, so librarians can apply their knowledge and experience to many industries and roles. Below are seven alternative careers a librarian might consider as they search for a new role:

1. Database Administrator

National average salary: ₹55,734 per month

Primary duties: Database administrators manage computer systems and implement data organisation solutions. They may work on a consultancy or in-house basis. They help clients secure data by performing audits, identifying areas for improvement and building infrastructure that effectively addresses security issues.

2. Development Coordinator

National average salary: ₹20,546 per month

Primary duties: Development coordinators typically work for non-profit organisations. Their duties may include raising money and organising donations. To do this, they may create strategic plans, develop fundraising initiatives and collaborate with their colleagues to identify organisational funding requirements.

3. Academic Advisor

National average salary: ₹30,999 per month

Primary duties: Academic advisers typically work with higher-secondary students. They help these students create academic plans so they can progress successfully in their education. These professionals may assist students in choosing their courses, establishing their class schedules and setting their career goals before they attend graduation.

4. Professor

National average salary: ₹52,607 per month

Primary duties: Professors are educators who work in colleges or universities and teach students in particular disciplines. These professionals are typically responsible for creating curricula and conducting lectures. They may also perform duties such as conducting research, publishing their findings and mentoring students.

5. Writer

National average salary: ₹19,960 per month

Primary duties: Writers work in a variety of industries. They typically craft compelling text for publication across different platforms. These professionals may serve in a creative capacity, writing fiction, poetry or scripts for film. In a journalistic capacity, they may write news stories and reports. In a marketing capacity, they may draft text for advertisements or other promotional materials.

6. Content Strategist

National average salary: ₹25,790 per month

Primary duties: Content strategists work in marketing and are responsible for planning, developing, creating, reviewing and publishing content on behalf of a company. These professionals work alongside organisational leaders to develop a content strategy that meets the company's goals and marketing or advertising budget. Content strategists may also work with multiple companies on a consultancy basis to provide their expertise.

7. Archivist

National average salary: ₹95,482 per month

Primary duties: Archivists conduct research and appraisals regarding rare historical materials like letters, documents, maps, photographs, manuscripts and other artefacts. They then determine how valuable these materials are in the scope of history, organise them and arrange for their proper care. These professionals may work in both private sector or public sector organisations.

Tips For Making A Career Change As A Librarian

When making a career change, it is important to identify the right career path for you. The following tips may be helpful if you are a librarian considering a career change:

Consider taking time off from your current role to focus on your job search

You may find it challenging to search for a new job while working in your existing one. Working full-time as a librarian may not leave you with sufficient time to focus on your job search. You may want to consider taking some time off from your current job to focus on finding a new role.

Identify your personal and professional requirements

It is important to consider your personal and professional requirements when you start looking for new roles. You may want an increase in your salary or more flexibility in your work hours. Whatever your requirements may be, make sure you only consider roles that meet them.

Pursue additional education or training

Depending on the industry you want to apply to, a new role may require additional qualifications to complement your existing skill set. Completing a certification or attending a course to obtain a qualification may improve your chances of getting the role you desire. You may even opt for online courses or certifications to allow you the flexibility to pursue further education while working in your current role.

Update and customise your resume when applying for jobs

When you apply for new jobs, make sure you adjust your resume according to each application. You may be applying for jobs in several different industries. Rather than submitting the same generic resume for each application, it is important to customise your resume to suit each specific role. This may help you highlight your candidacy appropriately and improve your chances of progressing in the application.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.