The Information Revolution

The Information Revolution is upon us; in fact it's just beginning. The growth of information continues to expand at rates beyond our imagination. According to an 2010 IDC Report, “Between now and 2020, the amount of digital information created and replicated in the world will grow to an almost inconceivable 35 trillion gigabytes as all major forms of media – voice, TV, radio, print – complete the journey from analog to digital. ” While there have been major shifts in access to information over centuries, the current information explosion is unparalleled and comes in large part due to rapidly advancing technology.

The rise of a new profession

The exponential growth of information combined with continuous technology innovation has led to a host of related trends and issues, including cloud computing, mobile computing, social media, security, privacy, data mining, digital archiving, the digital divide, e-government, information literacy, open access education, and more. With the rising need to address these issues and reap the benefits of the Information Revolution, it is not surprising to see the rise of a new profession to lead the way – the Information profession.

A new kind of leadership for fast-evolving careers

As other professions have taken hold in response to societal changes and needs, the Information profession is shaping a new kind of leadership for the Information age. Diverse and fast-evolving career opportunities are available at the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral level. Numerous media sources and reports point to hot jobs and growing careers that fall within the field of Information, which is best described as focusing on the intersection of people, information, and technology.

Undergraduate information careers

At the Undergraduate level, Informatics majors will find they can offer employers the best of both worlds; a solid liberal arts foundation (i.e. strong writing, communication, and analytical skills) combined with technical acumen in areas such as data mining, web analytics, and social computing. Learn more about the career opportunities that await you as a Michigan Informatics graduate.

Masters information careers

Students who invest in a professional master’s degree in Information will have an even wider range of opportunities and greater room for advancement. At SI, the Master of Science in Information (MSI) offers numerous specializations yet the degree itself has an increasing value, offering flexibility and resilience in a changing economy and a challenging job market. Visit the MSI Specializations page to explore the academic and career paths available within this progressive professional degree program.

PhD information careers

For an emerging profession and a field whose future is looking brighter all the time, it is critical to cultivate the future generation of faculty. Students who find their interests aligning with the cross-disciplinary field of Information and the collaborative environment of SI rather than in a traditional discipline will be rewarded with exciting options for faculty and research positions. The opportunities for creating new knowledge in a field that embraces innovation are endless. See the career outcomes of SI Doctoral students and the career success of SI's world-class faculty to begin to imagine your own future path.

Where the jobs are

Information professionals at all educational levels are in high demand with top organizations across the U.S. and abroad.  From major software firms such as Microsoft, Apple, and IBM; to national libraries and archives such as the National Library of Medicine and the National Archives and Records Administration; to eBusiness  firms such as Google, Amazon and EBay; to social media companies such as Facebook and LinkedIn; our graduates are recruited by companies and corporations from small to large in a wide range of industries. 

Connecting people, information, and technology in more valuable ways

Information careers require bright minds, can-do attitudes, innovative approaches, flexibility, entrepreneurial spirit, and progressive thinking.  SI graduates are working as leaders and change agents across all industries connecting people, information, and technology in more valuable ways in order to address the critical and complex issues and problems facing our fast-paced, global, and increasingly digital society.