DataViz Explorer

🔑 Free Exclusive Career Checklist: Beginner Data Visualization Librarian

This checklist outlines the initial steps to master curation and standards for a career as a Data Visualization Librarian or Governance Specialist

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1. Curation & Cataloging Mastery

Step	Action Item	Status
1.1	Learn Cataloging Systems: Understand principles of information organization relevant to data assets (e.g., metadata tagging, controlled vocabularies).
1.2	Develop Viz Taxonomy: Create a classification system for common chart types (bar, line, scatter) and their appropriate use cases/data types.
1.3	Build a Reference Portfolio: Curate 5-7 examples of *good* and *bad* visualizations, annotating them with design principles (Tufte, Few, Cairo). (Crucial)
1.4	Design Accessibility Standards: Learn WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) as they apply to data visualization (color contrast, alt text for charts, screen reader compatibility).
1.5	Documentation Practice: Draft a “Viz Style Guide” covering typography, color palettes, and standard chart layouts for an imaginary organization.

2. Technical Fluency & Tool Governance

Step	Action Item	Status
2.1	Tool Licensing/Security: Understand the difference between desktop, server, and cloud licensing for a major BI tool (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) and the basic security implications.
2.2	Practice Viz Auditing: Conduct a formal audit on an existing public dashboard, listing violations of accessibility, style, and effective design.
2.3	User Training Materials: Create a 5-step instructional guide on how to create a compliant visualization using your style guide and a BI tool.
2.4	Metadata Management: Learn how to properly tag and document a published dashboard so users can easily search for and trust its data sources.
2.5	Librarian Software Exposure: Research and document the key features of one major data catalog or governance tool (e.g., Alation, Collibra).

3. Communication & Advocacy

Step	Action Item	Status
3.1	Build an Instructional Portfolio: Showcase your style guide and training materials on a simple website (this is your portfolio).
3.2	Target Governance Roles: Search job boards for titles like **Visualization Governance Analyst**, **BI Standards Manager**, or **Information Architect**.
3.3	Conduct Informational Interviews: Speak with professionals in BI Center of Excellence (CoE) teams or Data Governance roles to understand library management.
3.4	Practice Persuasive Language: Develop scripts for convincing a skeptical developer why design standards are necessary for user trust and adoption.
3.5	Join a Governance Community: Become an active member of a Data Governance or Visualization Standards group (online forums, LinkedIn groups).