[Sigia-l] The Value of an IA discussion - from a newbie's perspective

[Kathleen Tucker]

I've been reading all of your comments about the position of an IA and the 
value an IA brings to a project and I'm gradually getting more confused 
about what I'm getting myself into as I try to break into this discipline.

I'm currently transitioning my career from technical writer to web 
information architect and have been reading numerous job descriptions and 
applying to jobs that demand much more than just IA-related funcitons.  It 
seems employers want candidates who can be web designers, IA's, programmers 
and tech writers all in one position.  It seems to me that companies are 
trying to save a few dollars by incorporating several jobs into one 
position.  Granted, some of these companies may be small businesses that 
needs its employees to what many hats.

I'm in the New York City area and think that $30/hr for a junior level IA is 
not that bad.  New professionals in this industry need to start somewhere.

And as a newbie, I'm trying to learn from you, the professionals seasoned in 
this discipline, but sometimes I'm not sure where a new person should start 
to get experience and which experts in the field to listen to and believe.  
It seems IA's just start out being senior level.  There doesn't seem to be 
any mentoring of newbies going on.  It seems many companies want only senior 
level people.

How can you keep the life of the IA discipline alive if you don't nurture 
those less experienced?

What do you consider a 'good' information architect?  How can a new IA 
become 'good' if each IA type job out there is so varied? My portfolio to 
some may be quite basic and plain. To others it may be the best work that 
they have seen.

With all this discussion going on about the value of an IA, how do you 
define the value a less experienced IA can bring to a project?

Are you saying a career as an IA isn't viable or possible anymore? How can 
an emerging IA feel excited about getting into this area of work if all the 
seasoned veterans don't seem to hold out too much hope for a future?  What 
should a new IA expect when he/she tries to get some experience?

Just some food for thought.

Thanks for reading,

Kathleen Tucker
www.TuckerTalent.com