Information Brokers

If you've ever had to write an extensive research paper, then you've probably already had experience with online research. In college, many of your term papers will require that you become familiar with Lexis/Nexis and other library systems. The reference librarians of your school and public libraries should be happy to introduce you to the various library tools available. On the Internet, experiment with search engines; each service has slightly different features and capabilities. There are also several reputable online databases available for students and library members.

Visit the Association for Independent Information Professionals' Web site, http://aiip.org, for extensive information about the industry and to learn how to launch your own business. If you are a student, you may want to find out about intern or volunteer opportunities at various libraries or companies that create databases or job shadow with librarians or workers at these organizations.

Talk to an information broker about his or her career. Ask your school counselor or librarian for help setting up an interview.