[1] After an initial career as a high school English teacher in Harrisonburg, Virginia,[citation needed] Wilkin began work in research libraries, first through the Research Library Residency Program at the University of Michigan.
[2] His early jobs included working as the Data Services Librarian at the University of Michigan, where he developed a service (UMLibText)[3] that made SGML-encoded text available to the campus through pre-web technologies, and then at the University of Virginia where he directed the development of web-based digital technologies (1992–1994).
In 1996, he was appointed the first director of the Digital Library Production Service,[4] where he led in the development of online text and journal initiatives, including supporting the creation of the Making of America.
In addition, he served as Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost Designate at Illinois from February 2017 through January 2018.
In October 2022, Wilkin was named CEO of Lyrasis, effective December 1st.