Edmonton is home to both an ALA accredited MLIS program and a major employer, the Government of Alberta (GoA). Yet the GoA has had difficulty recruiting information professionals into information management (IM) positions, and concurrently, the number of MLIS graduates attaining government employment is low compared to other, more traditional, sectors. From the perspective of a recent U of A grad seeking IM employment, and incorporating feedback from previous MLIS graduates now working at the GoA, job ad analysis, and SLIS placement data, this session provides a practical examination of the education, experience, knowledge and competencies being sought by the GoA to fulfill its IM mandate and will provide a discussion forum on how to identify, leverage, and steer education choices to confidently prepare for a chosen meaningful IM career.