How Do I Begin a Knowledge Management Career?

If you would like to begin a knowledge management career, you should first earn a degree in a field such as business. Individuals who are interested in working in more specialized fields, however, should pursue academic degrees in related fields. For example, if you would like to pursue a career in health knowledge management, you should take steps that make you eligible to enter a medial or public health program. In most cases, a graduate degree in a related field is necessary to pursue a knowledge management career. After you have earned the necessary educational credentials, you should begin working in a field in which you are interested, this way you can become familiar with relevant tools, principles, and practices.

A knowledge management professional specializes in helping members of an organization to share and utilize knowledge. Most professionals in this field incorporate Information Technology (IT) systems that make it easier for an organization's members to access, record, and share knowledge. A knowledge management specialist often consults organizational leaders so they can learn how best to use information to design strategies, and develop methods of sharing this knowledge with all members of an organization.

Any person who would like to enter a knowledge management career needs to learn how organizations functions. Most careers in this field are in the business sector, though organizations such as branches of the military and medical clinics also employ knowledge managers. For this reason, most aspiring knowledge managers learn about basic business principles, though if you are interested in working in other areas, you should enroll in courses in which you can learn about the operations of relevant organizations.

A person who wants to begin a knowledge management career should enroll in a graduate program. While it is not common to find academic programs that provide concentrations in knowledge management, you can benefit from a degree program that allows you to learn about organizational principles as well as practical application of principles, particularly with the use of IT systems.

Once you have earned a graduate degree in the field of your choice, you should compose a resume and distribute it to potential employers. It's a good idea to find a position that familiarizes you with an organization's regular operations and how they are supported by IT systems. In most cases, you have to work within an organization or particular industry for a number of years before you can embark on a full time knowledge management career.

Professionals who have begun a knowledge management career can benefit from workshops and professional certification. Organizations such as the Knowledge Management Institute offer a number of options for established professionals. This kind of credential can make you more appealing to employers and clients.