3 answers
Lim
Student
Fairfax, Virginia
2
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What experience would be helpful for Digital Asset Management in a corporate company? (Knowledge Manager, Corporate Librarian)
Hello. I'm a undergraduate sophomore, seeking advice from MLIS holders and Library Professionals. I'm interested in DAM, being a Knowledge Manager.
It's not a path talked about and I want guidance of what to do to move into the career.
Knowledge Management appeals to me, as someone that likes self-directed "librarian" type work, but does not want to get a master's to become a librarian (university, public) role.
My degree is focused in digital media. I currently have 2 internships, and 2 years left. I want to steer my career path in the new direction: Knowledge Management / Digital Asset Management for corporate.
I mostly want to know, if someone could answer all questions in the same reply:
• What domains should an undergraduate look into for a corporate career: Project Management, Data Analysis, Business Analyst pathway, - OR - all of the above?
• What types of internships should a undergraduate student look for to develop business administration skills for the DAM / Knowledge path?
• If a student is aiming for corporate - not - standard librarianship, is it worth it to get a MLIS - Master of Library and Information Science?
• What is the best way to learn cataloging, metadata, or taxonomy in undergrad? - I have two years left, and interested in any certifications, YouTube videos, or resources available for these topics.
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3 answers
Rob Beers
I am operations and production manager of a brewpub
14
Answers
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated
Rob’s Answer
There are some great and detailed answers here. Knowledge is an asset. In business, it is now primarily a digital asset. Once you learn the lifecycle of knowledge and how to manage it, you are prepared for the management of many other digital assets. As summer approaches I would recommend seeking certifications and internships that will help you apply those certs and gain experience.
My approach for you is much simpler and direct. There are many popular best practices, all of which have merit, and application, and are great things to have in your tool kit. For the purposes of this advice, I am going to focus on KCS training and certification. KCS stands for Knowledge Centered Service. This is perhaps a bit focused on support and self-help throughout an organization and has applications in the non-technical as well as technical organizations, but it is a solid introduction to Knowledge as an asset, the lifecycle of knowledge (or substitute the words digital assets), and very solid best practices around them. I have used these principles to manage infrastructure assets, knowledge assets, end point administration and management, and many other asset types.
This will feel very support desk focused, which can only help you in understanding the IT and tech domains, this is a foundational introduction whose basics you will see everywhere you see DAM explained. Take a look at this course:
https://www.thinkhdi.com/education/courses/kcs-foundation
The Help Desk Institute is the best place to take this course but if you want another look:
https://www.bmc.com/education/courses/knowledge-centered-service-v6-fundamentals-overview.html
I have always found BMC's materials to be top tier.
This is also an inexpensive way to get your feet wet to understand more about DAM and knowledge management before going tens of thousands deep in college courses. See if it is what you want before you sign up for the classes. If it doesn't quicken time for you or excite you, find another path.
In regards to other technical paths, data is king it drives decision-making, it drives and will always drive ai, and it is the most guarded asset a company owns. Data analytics, report writing, data management and security all will lean a bit on the principles you learn in KCS and make you very employable, especially if you can secure internships and experience before graduation.
That's enough ramblings. I hope this helps. I am happy to answer more questions if you have them. Keep after, asking questions is a great start.
Take a breath and a beat, think it through, and go. You got the is.
My approach for you is much simpler and direct. There are many popular best practices, all of which have merit, and application, and are great things to have in your tool kit. For the purposes of this advice, I am going to focus on KCS training and certification. KCS stands for Knowledge Centered Service. This is perhaps a bit focused on support and self-help throughout an organization and has applications in the non-technical as well as technical organizations, but it is a solid introduction to Knowledge as an asset, the lifecycle of knowledge (or substitute the words digital assets), and very solid best practices around them. I have used these principles to manage infrastructure assets, knowledge assets, end point administration and management, and many other asset types.
This will feel very support desk focused, which can only help you in understanding the IT and tech domains, this is a foundational introduction whose basics you will see everywhere you see DAM explained. Take a look at this course:
https://www.thinkhdi.com/education/courses/kcs-foundation
The Help Desk Institute is the best place to take this course but if you want another look:
https://www.bmc.com/education/courses/knowledge-centered-service-v6-fundamentals-overview.html
I have always found BMC's materials to be top tier.
This is also an inexpensive way to get your feet wet to understand more about DAM and knowledge management before going tens of thousands deep in college courses. See if it is what you want before you sign up for the classes. If it doesn't quicken time for you or excite you, find another path.
In regards to other technical paths, data is king it drives decision-making, it drives and will always drive ai, and it is the most guarded asset a company owns. Data analytics, report writing, data management and security all will lean a bit on the principles you learn in KCS and make you very employable, especially if you can secure internships and experience before graduation.
That's enough ramblings. I hope this helps. I am happy to answer more questions if you have them. Keep after, asking questions is a great start.
Take a breath and a beat, think it through, and go. You got the is.
Hello Rob. Thank you! You gave an awesome answer, and it is super helpful! I'll keep these in mind over the summer and as I start my junior year in the fall. Thank you so much!
Lim
Lefty Luciano
Music Production
8
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Lefty’s Answer
Experience in Digital Asset Management (DAM) in a corporate setting, especially in roles like Knowledge Manager or Corporate Librarian, requires a combination of technical skills, organizational abilities, and understanding of information management principles. Here are some experiences that would be helpful:
1. **Information Management**: Experience or education in information science, library science, or a related field is valuable for understanding the principles of organizing, categorizing, and retrieving digital assets efficiently.
2. **DAM Systems**: Familiarity with Digital Asset Management systems and software is essential. Experience with popular DAM platforms like Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), Widen Collective, Bynder, or OpenText Media Management can be advantageous.
3. **Metadata Management**: Understanding metadata standards and best practices is crucial for ensuring accurate and consistent tagging of digital assets. Experience in creating and managing metadata schemas and taxonomies is beneficial.
4. **Content Management**: Experience with content management systems (CMS) or document management systems (DMS) can provide a foundation for managing digital assets within a corporate environment.
5. **Digital Content Creation**: Knowledge of digital content creation tools and workflows, such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), can be helpful for understanding the needs of content creators and ensuring that assets are properly managed throughout their lifecycle.
6. **Project Management**: Experience in project management, including planning, implementation, and evaluation of DAM initiatives, can be valuable for overseeing the development and maintenance of a corporate DAM system.
7. **User Support and Training**: Experience in providing user support and training for DAM systems and processes is essential for ensuring that employees understand how to access, use, and contribute to the digital asset repository effectively.
8. **Compliance and Governance**: Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements related to digital assets, such as copyright laws, data privacy regulations, and industry standards, is important for ensuring compliance and governance of corporate digital assets.
9. **Collaboration and Communication**: Strong interpersonal skills and experience collaborating with cross-functional teams are valuable for working with stakeholders across the organization to understand their needs and requirements for digital asset management.
10. **Continuous Learning and Adaptability**: The field of Digital Asset Management is constantly evolving, so a willingness to learn new technologies, tools, and best practices is essential for staying current and adapting to changes in the industry.
By gaining experience in these areas, you can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in roles related to Digital Asset Management in a corporate environment, whether as a Knowledge Manager, Corporate Librarian, or in similar positions focused on organizing and managing digital content effectively.
1. **Information Management**: Experience or education in information science, library science, or a related field is valuable for understanding the principles of organizing, categorizing, and retrieving digital assets efficiently.
2. **DAM Systems**: Familiarity with Digital Asset Management systems and software is essential. Experience with popular DAM platforms like Adobe Experience Manager (AEM), Widen Collective, Bynder, or OpenText Media Management can be advantageous.
3. **Metadata Management**: Understanding metadata standards and best practices is crucial for ensuring accurate and consistent tagging of digital assets. Experience in creating and managing metadata schemas and taxonomies is beneficial.
4. **Content Management**: Experience with content management systems (CMS) or document management systems (DMS) can provide a foundation for managing digital assets within a corporate environment.
5. **Digital Content Creation**: Knowledge of digital content creation tools and workflows, such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), can be helpful for understanding the needs of content creators and ensuring that assets are properly managed throughout their lifecycle.
6. **Project Management**: Experience in project management, including planning, implementation, and evaluation of DAM initiatives, can be valuable for overseeing the development and maintenance of a corporate DAM system.
7. **User Support and Training**: Experience in providing user support and training for DAM systems and processes is essential for ensuring that employees understand how to access, use, and contribute to the digital asset repository effectively.
8. **Compliance and Governance**: Knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements related to digital assets, such as copyright laws, data privacy regulations, and industry standards, is important for ensuring compliance and governance of corporate digital assets.
9. **Collaboration and Communication**: Strong interpersonal skills and experience collaborating with cross-functional teams are valuable for working with stakeholders across the organization to understand their needs and requirements for digital asset management.
10. **Continuous Learning and Adaptability**: The field of Digital Asset Management is constantly evolving, so a willingness to learn new technologies, tools, and best practices is essential for staying current and adapting to changes in the industry.
By gaining experience in these areas, you can develop the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in roles related to Digital Asset Management in a corporate environment, whether as a Knowledge Manager, Corporate Librarian, or in similar positions focused on organizing and managing digital content effectively.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6179
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Lim,
If you're keen on pursuing a career as a Knowledge Manager in Digital Asset Management (DAM) within a corporate setting, it's advantageous to build your expertise in several pivotal areas:
Project Management: Grasping the principles and practices of project management is key to handling DAM projects. These could range from introducing new systems and transferring data to training users. It involves planning, coordinating, and steering teams to complete projects within the set time and budget.
Data Analysis: Examining data associated with digital assets enables companies to make educated decisions about their content. Being adept with data analysis tools and methods, like Excel, SQL, or data visualization software, is beneficial for spotting trends, assessing performance, and fine-tuning workflows.
Business Analyst Role: This role typically requires understanding a company's business processes and needs to pinpoint areas for enhancement. In DAM, this might involve studying how various departments utilize digital assets and finding ways to simplify workflows or boost accessibility.
Technical Skills: Mastery of various DAM-related technologies is crucial for efficient digital asset management. This could encompass content management systems (CMS), metadata standards (like IPTC or XMP), image editing software (such as Adobe Photoshop), and file formats (like TIFF or JPEG).
Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication is a must for any knowledge management role. This entails expressing the benefits of DAM systems to stakeholders, working with diverse teams, and instructing users on new tools and processes.
Information Organization: Knowledge Managers need to be adept at organizing information to ensure it's easily accessible and discoverable by users. This involves creating taxonomies, metadata schemas, and other structures that enable efficient retrieval of digital assets.
Change Management: Launching new DAM systems or processes can bring about substantial change for companies and their employees. Understanding change management principles can aid in facilitating a smooth transition by addressing potential resistance, clearly communicating the advantages of the change, and offering ample training and support to users.
Security & Compliance: Safeguarding the security and compliance of digital assets is vital to protect sensitive information and uphold regulatory compliance. Familiarity with best practices for securing digital assets, such as access controls, encryption, backups, disaster recovery plans, and data retention policies is vital for any Knowledge Manager role in a corporate setting.
References Used:
Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM) - “Digital Asset Management: A Practical Guide”
Society for Information Technology & Management (SITM) - “Digital Asset Management: Concepts and Technologies”
International Association of Information Technology Professionals (IAITP) - “Digital Asset Management: Best Practices”
Blessings,
JC.
If you're keen on pursuing a career as a Knowledge Manager in Digital Asset Management (DAM) within a corporate setting, it's advantageous to build your expertise in several pivotal areas:
Project Management: Grasping the principles and practices of project management is key to handling DAM projects. These could range from introducing new systems and transferring data to training users. It involves planning, coordinating, and steering teams to complete projects within the set time and budget.
Data Analysis: Examining data associated with digital assets enables companies to make educated decisions about their content. Being adept with data analysis tools and methods, like Excel, SQL, or data visualization software, is beneficial for spotting trends, assessing performance, and fine-tuning workflows.
Business Analyst Role: This role typically requires understanding a company's business processes and needs to pinpoint areas for enhancement. In DAM, this might involve studying how various departments utilize digital assets and finding ways to simplify workflows or boost accessibility.
Technical Skills: Mastery of various DAM-related technologies is crucial for efficient digital asset management. This could encompass content management systems (CMS), metadata standards (like IPTC or XMP), image editing software (such as Adobe Photoshop), and file formats (like TIFF or JPEG).
Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication is a must for any knowledge management role. This entails expressing the benefits of DAM systems to stakeholders, working with diverse teams, and instructing users on new tools and processes.
Information Organization: Knowledge Managers need to be adept at organizing information to ensure it's easily accessible and discoverable by users. This involves creating taxonomies, metadata schemas, and other structures that enable efficient retrieval of digital assets.
Change Management: Launching new DAM systems or processes can bring about substantial change for companies and their employees. Understanding change management principles can aid in facilitating a smooth transition by addressing potential resistance, clearly communicating the advantages of the change, and offering ample training and support to users.
Security & Compliance: Safeguarding the security and compliance of digital assets is vital to protect sensitive information and uphold regulatory compliance. Familiarity with best practices for securing digital assets, such as access controls, encryption, backups, disaster recovery plans, and data retention policies is vital for any Knowledge Manager role in a corporate setting.
References Used:
Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM) - “Digital Asset Management: A Practical Guide”
Society for Information Technology & Management (SITM) - “Digital Asset Management: Concepts and Technologies”
International Association of Information Technology Professionals (IAITP) - “Digital Asset Management: Best Practices”
Blessings,
JC.