How LSU's Online Records and Information Management Certificate Helped Aimee Syrdal Reinvent Her Career

Discovering New Challenges Outside the Classroom

Before her 20-year homeschooling journey, Aimee was a classroom teacher with a master’s degree in special education. While she always planned to re-enter the workforce once her children were grown, she knew she didn't want to return to the classroom.

"Initially I had thought that library work would be analogous to teaching, but the more library-focused classes I took, the less I was interested in pursuing that as my end goal," Aimee said. "It would just be more of the same as when I was teaching; I really wanted something new to challenge me."

While she originally entered the MLIS program with plans to pursue academic librarianship, taking LIS 7612 with Dr. Jin introduced her to the world of information and records management and changed her career trajectory.

"I developed an interest in information management. I switched from Archival Studies to the CRIM certificate and never looked back. When I discovered Records Management and Information Governance, I realized that I had found a place where there was space for me to grow. This work was a challenge in that it was so far removed from all my previous experiences. It was detailed, yet global in scope, and reached into so many fields."

More than introducing Aimee to a new field, the CRIM certificate also gave her the internship that ultimately became her full-time career.

"My current job grew out of the internship which served as my final class in the CRIM program," she said.

During the internship, Aimee worked alongside an experienced mentor who introduced her to core information governance responsibilities, from reviewing organizational policies to managing records retention.

"We began with discussions around what I wanted to gain from the experience, namely experience with various relevant technologies, legal holds, and the whole corporate environment," she explained. "By my second month, I was deeply involved in a records inventory project where we were checking retention periods against documents in offsite storage.”

“Initially I was kept on to see this project through to completion... But more projects kept coming online and my mentor's capacity was stretched to its limit. He ultimately asked if I would be willing to stay on, and I agreed. It was really a gradual process of assuming more and more responsibilities. I'm really very grateful; I've learned so much."

Embracing the "Tip of the Technology Iceberg"

Transitioning into corporate information governance meant diving headfirst into cutting-edge enterprise software and digital workflows. For Aimee, the technological learning curve has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her new career.

"The main way technology has changed my work is that I can work for a national company and meet with people all around the world, but from my home," Aimee said. "I am lucky to be a remote worker, and the advances of technology have really made that possible."

Aimee is also directly involved in deploying next-generation automation tools that optimize corporate efficiency.

"All the technology related to my field is new to me, so learning new software and its capabilities has been quite enjoyable. For example, we are currently in the process of launching a contract lifecycle management system that will be able to generate contracts based on templates created by our attorneys, but without them needing to do the actual drafting. It will save a tremendous amount of time for all parties involved and is only the tip of the technology iceberg!"

From the Classroom to the Corporate World

For someone who spent two decades homeschooling her children after a career in education, moving into a corporate information governance role might sound intimidating. Surprisingly, Aimee found more overlap than she expected. "It was both more and less difficult than I expected, to be honest!"

At its core, she discovered that many of the same skills that make someone an effective educator also translate well into records and information management.

"Providing clear information to people, providing training around concepts or activities when needed, maintaining up-to-date and organized records, and working from a best practice or evidence-based perspective" all carried over into her new career.

The biggest adjustment wasn't learning how to do the work, it was learning the language of a new industry. "The terminology is quite different and acronym laden," she said. "So much so, that when I created an internship onboarding document for the department, I made sure to include a glossary!"

She also noticed a difference in how organizations approach time and decision-making. "Schooling tends to take a longer-term approach... But a business looks at time differently, often in either a quarterly timeline or a yearly one."

Still, she found that the similarities gave her confidence, while the differences kept the work exciting. "There were enough similarities between the two that I didn't feel completely lost, and enough differences to keep me on my toes."

AI and the Future of Information Governance

Information management is evolving rapidly, driven by automation and artificial intelligence. Rather than feeling intimidated by these shifts, Aimee's education gave her the tools to be part of the conversation.

"In a way, I’m in the honeymoon stage with my new profession. I am still learning, and there is so much to learn! Of course, as is the case with so many professions currently, AI is beginning to transform the field. There is a lot of discussion around the risks associated with AI regarding privacy, personal information, and compliance; and while I may have concerns around AI usage, I am excited to be a part of those discussions." 

Aimee’s Journey of Self-Rediscovery

For Aimee, earning her CRIM certificate from LSU became a way to not only gain new professional credentials, but also to reclaim an emotional and intellectual part of her identity. 

"In many ways, this has been a rediscovery of self," Aimee reflected. "My decision to go back to school came about through an unexpected life change, and I feel like I really floundered a bit within the MLIS program initially. However, as I made the change to the CRIM program, I became more curious. I felt my mind engaging in a way that it had not for many years. I was able to rediscover my curiosity and prove to myself that I really am capable and intelligent. It’s been a long road; one I never would have found had my world not been turned upside down. But I am so glad that I had the courage to change directions, to follow that spark, and embark on this new career path." 

If you come from a non-corporate background, whether in education, humanities, or the arts, Aimee emphasized that you shouldn't let imposter syndrome hold you back from entering the lucrative and growing field of corporate data and records management. 

"Because this program is housed in Library and Information Science, I feel many students have an extensive academic background, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy when it comes to the more corporate field of Records and Information Management. I would say do not let that deter you. Vocabulary can be learned; technology tools can be learned. But your ability to see the bigger picture and your curiosity will serve you well in the CRIM program and beyond. Being able to think analytically and work collaboratively are key skills in CRIM-related fields, and the online LSU CRIM program does a wonderful job of preparing their students to use those skills." 

Turn Your Curiosity into a Career with LSU Online

Whether you're transitioning from education, another profession, or just looking for a new challenge, the online Graduate Certificate in Records and Information Management from LSU, offered through LSU Online, can prepare you for opportunities in information governance, records management, and corporate data strategy. Like Aimee, you can build practical skills through hands-on coursework and position yourself for a career in one of today's fastest growing fields.

Ready to start your next career path? The online CRIM certificate is available as a standalone graduate certificate program. Learn more, and apply today!