>A world of specialties
Military experience a plus
>A passion for work
>Sidebar: Extras for Information Researchers

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Information researchers scour archives, the Internet, and boundless other sources to ensure their clients get the facts straight.

A world of specialties

Information researchers may specialize in competitive intelligence and work with companies considering new product lines by evaluating the potential demand, competition, and appropriate pricing models for new products or providing tailored background information to support the decision-making process of their clients. Competitive intelligence professionals also may work with companies looking to expand into international markets by analyzing potential overseas demand and customs and export regulations and identifying local market business partners.

Outside of the business world, information researchers may work in more traditional roles, such as corporate librarians, or focus on historical, genealogical, or public record research to assist authors, journalists, or even family members with primary document and archival research.

The vast majority of information researchers work independently for a number of clients on an hourly or project basis, according to Kim Burkhardt, director of Marketing and Communications for the Association of Independent Information Professionals (www.aiip.org)(AIIP) and a partner at Burkhardt Research Services (www.burkhardtresearch.com).

In its 16th year and with almost 700 members, about half of AIIP members have backgrounds in library science. Also represented in the AIIP membership are large numbers of MBA and journalism graduates. All share a curiosity for answers, enjoy finding hidden information within finite time and budget constraints, and take pride in providing their clients with value-added services and actionable information.

Military experience a plus

RANK Deborah Liptak, USAF(-Ret.?), founder and president of info2go (www.debsinfo2go.us), is typical of military members who gravitate to information research after leaving active duty. After serving as an Air Force officer, Liptak earned a graduate degree in library and information studies and worked in a public library system for about 15 years.

Work and family balance considerations drove her into independent work as a full-time information researcher two years ago. Liptak says she most enjoys “working from home and the freedom in scheduling” she has achieved while working at least 40 hours a week in a home-based business. About half of her clients are billed on an hourly basis, and the rest prefer to be billed on a project basis. Liptak says about one-third of her clients are generated through her presence on the Web; another third come from client referrals; and the remainder are developed through her network in the public library system and targeted advertising, including a monthly information research newsletter distributed to current and prospective clients.

Her specialty is public records research and retrieval, genealogy research, business intelligence, and manual searches for unindexed newspaper articles. “Today’s information overload is a type of smog, which prevents most people from discerning the data they need,” Liptak says. “My military experience provided me with a high level of information security awareness and excellent communications skills, both of which are essential to help clients make critical business decisions.”

Liptak also frequently uses the people skills she honed during her military service to go beyond proprietary databases and periodic SEC filings to mine critical information directly from employees and other experts in particular areas of interest.

To get her home-based information research business started, Liptak relied on the resources and mentoring provided by AIIP, the Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov), and Bates’ book.

By contrast, Col. Tom Culbert, USAF-Ret., took a different path before founding Aviation Information Research Corporation. After retiring from active duty in 1990, Tom relied on volunteering and additional education to “civilianize himself,” strengthen his résumé, and broaden his network outside of military circles.

Career transition experts often remind their clients that all types of organizations need reliable volunteers with good people skills and attention to detail — the same qualities nurtured and refined during military service. And going back to school, whether for a noncredit continuing education course or a more formal graduate program, can be a wonderful opportunity for self-discovery and interaction with different kinds of people and different kinds of ideas — not to mention that college professors are an excellent resource for letters of recommendation and résumé references.

Culbert’s transition from the military began when he volunteered at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., where he became involved in several academic historical research projects in the National Archives and first was exposed to the work of information researchers by a Smithsonian staff member. He also strengthened his résumé with an additional graduate degree, this time in aeronautical studies.

“My course work and volunteer activities gave me a wealth of contacts in the aviation field and an excuse to knock on doors and ask dumb questions,” Culbert says. “Plus, I was a military attaché for five years — mostly in Africa — so, I know how to look under rocks for obscure information.”

Beyond his volunteer work and graduate study, Culbert joined several specialty organizations focused on the aviation field, including the Experimental Aircraft Association (www.eaa.org), the National Air Transport Association (www.nata.aero), and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (www.aopa.org). “All of these specialty organizations broadened my network, and they help keep me current on aviation-related issues that are likely to impact my clients,” he says. Most of Culbert’s clients want information “that’s probably less than three days old. That information, for the most part, is not online.”

Culbert’s information research practice focuses on historical research and contemporary issues, and he sees value for his clients through his decision to specialize in aviation-related research. “I feel strongly that finding a niche and then offering specialized services within that field will bring the most success,” he says. “You can do a better job for your clients if you are truly interested in the subject matter being researched. Plus, it’s more enjoyable and professionally rewarding.”

A passion for work

It has been said that the best part of being a college professor is getting to focus on what interests you. Just like some professors, Liptak and Culbert have a genuine interest in helping their clients sort through the avalanche of information available on the Web and beyond. Their passion for helping their clients retrieve obscure information is obvious. Plus, they have acquired the skills and experience to provide their clients with accurate and timely information through their graduate education, work experiences, and volunteer opportunities.

Through their preparation, hard work, and perseverance, Liptak and Culbert have learned the most important lesson in career transitions: When a career choice combines skills and experience with passion for the work and a reasonable economic reward, the result is likely to be a very content professional who looks forward to another day at work.

About the author: Jim Carman is a graduate of the MIT Sloan School of Management and a retired Navy Captain. He lectures and writes about career-transition issues.