Knowledge management refers to the systems by which businesses and organizations collect, store, share and retrieve data and information. You'll likely need strong computer science and technological skills to succeed in this field. Read on to learn more about knowledge management and determine if the field is right for you.
Knowledge management professionals use computer systems and other methods to create, store and distribute information within a business or organization. The multidisciplinary field is designed to help businesses meet their organizational goals by by efficiently using information assets such as intellectual capital and business intelligence. While in a knowledge management position, you can help an organization to increase profits, cut costs and improve efficiency as well as spark more creative business decisions.
A graduate degree program in knowledge management can prepare you for a variety of careers in the public and private sectors. You might find work in a business, a healthcare organization, a library, the federal government or the military. You might qualify for management consulting, financial services and information technology services positions in industries like manufacturing, biotechnology and energy. Potential job titles include librarian, knowledge manager, web content manager or project manager. According to PayScale.com, most knowledge managers earned between $46,305 and $120,079 as of February 2012.
Your education in knowledge management could qualify you for many roles working in the information systems departments for businesses or organizations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for network and computer systems administrators were expected to rise by 23% between 2008 and 2018, while employment of database administrators was predicted to climb by 20% during that time (www.bls.gov). The BLS reported that most network and computer systems administrators earned between $42,400 and $108,090 yearly as of May 2010 while most database administrators made between $41,570 and $115,660.
Job growth for computer and information systems managers was anticipated to increase by 17% between 2008 and 2018. Most computer and information systems managers earned between $71,420 and $146,080 as of May 2010.
Colleges and universities typically offer master's and doctoral degree programs in knowledge management. A degree program in knowledge management can give you a background in information sciences and prepare you to create and organize knowledge systems that help businesses run more efficiently. Your typical coursework may include various information technology classes as well as courses in competitive intelligence, information retrieval and organizational communication.
You can find some schools that offer a specialization in knowledge management as part of a bachelor's degree program in computer sciences. Certificates in knowledge management are also offered by some colleges and universities.