Published: March 23, 2023 by Hannah Nguyen

Have you ever explored working for a library vendor? Vendors in the library and information science space make a massive impact by serving libraries all over the world. Many of these organizations share the same philosophy and goals as information professionals, and your experience and field of study should make you a competitive candidate. I spoke with Tammy Ross, the Senior Product Marketing Manager at EBSCO Information Services (and iSchool alumni) about her career with one of the largest research database vendors serving libraries.

Here’s What Tammy Had to Say:

I began my career at EBSCO Information Services, and in marketing, quite accidentally. After completing my undergraduate degree in 1995, I started my professional life as a newspaper reporter, and then left to work in the publishing and technology industries, writing and editing content for print publications and the web. In 2002, after completing my M.A. in English, I became a high school English teacher, a career I enjoyed for 9 years. In 2011, I was teaching Introductory English at a local community college part-time when a former colleague asked me if I’d be interested in a contract job writing customer success stories for EBSCO. I welcomed the opportunity to get my foot in the door at a great company and keep my writing skills fresh. After a year, I was hired in a full-time capacity, and I’ve been at EBSCO ever since! Initially, my job was to write help documentation and customer success stories, but eventually I was tapped to develop and deploy marketing campaigns targeting our school database customers. Over time, my product marketing portfolio grew to include all proprietary databases for schools and public libraries, a handful of reseller platforms, and the EBSCO LearningExpress product line.

In December 2020, I achieved my MLIS degree from San Jose State University’s iSchool. I enrolled in library school because I wanted to develop a stronger understanding of the mission of libraries and the work of information professionals. I also wanted to equip myself to speak the language of, and be a voice for, our library customers. I enjoy working in EBSCO’s Marketing Department, which employs many talented and creative individuals. In my current role, as a Senior Product Marketing Manager, I collaborate most often with our sales, product management, graphic design, marketing automation, social media and conferences teams. However, I also enjoy many opportunities to speak with our public and school library customers!

The EBSCO Information Services headquarters is located in the coastal town of Ipswich, MA. Our offices are in a historic mill complex along the Ipswich River. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020, EBSCO adopted a remote work model to keep its employees safe. When the office reopened in early 2022, we were given the opportunity to go into the office three days a week, but I – like many of my colleagues – chose to work primarily from home. Although I do go into the office a couple of times a month, I prefer the flexibility (and increased productivity) that remote work offers. The majority of EBSCO’s current job postings are remote opportunities, so the company is able to attract the best talent, regardless of location. Working for a library vendor is a great option for information professionals.

Check Out the Amazing Opportunities at EBSCO

If you’re interested in exploring this career path, take a look at all of the current openings at EBSCO here! Some of the options that may interest iSchool students and alumni include Product Manager, Bibliographer/Cataloger, Business Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Library Services Engineer, or Collections Development Manager. If you’re interested in gaining some entry-level experience, there are several summer internships available that could be calling your name. Your experience and interests should help you thrive in this dynamic work environment, and being able to work from home is certainly an attractive benefit!

[Editor’s note from Kim Dority, the iSchool career coach: I have always heard great things about working for EBSCO!]

Additional Resources

• Read about EBSCO company culture – see if it sounds like a good fit!
• EBSCO resources – free guides, videos, white papers, and more

Explore Internship Opportunities:

Remember that internships can be an especially valuable part of your learning experience at the iSchool while also helping you when it comes time to look for jobs. Learn more about the iSchool’s internship program here, where you can check out the INFO 294 Student Handbook as well as the Internship Sites database.