An Introduction to the Information Systems Career
The management information systems career path is one that very few people are familiar with primarily due to the fact that it is a relatively new concept. Information systems encompass a large network of computers and software that are used to improve business operations and increase financial performance. A graduate of an information systems degree program is usually required to complete courses in both computer science and business administration. The combination of these two important fields results in a business professional who has the knowledge to communicate with computer technologists and who can apply the information produced by these systems to real-life business problems.
Business schools all across the United States started developing information systems degree programs as a result of the need that they saw for graduates who were both technically skilled and able to translate technology into practical business applications. This need began to arise as companies started to incorporate computer systems into the managerial and executive decision-making processes. Since many upper-level managers and executives are unfamiliar with new technology, they needed employees who understood the way that these systems work and could interpret information in a way that helped guide leaders in their decision-making.
The business world began using computers many years ago to improve the way transactions were carried out and to help manage payroll and inventory systems. As technology evolved, companies in the manufacturing and distribution industries began to realize that they could replace very costly human labor with highly efficient machines that could be run using software systems. While this process did result in the loss of many jobs, it also served to improve the way consumer products were produced and delivered to the consumer. This had the effect of reducing costs for both the company and the customer.
Today, information systems have begun to find their way into the corporate office buildings where managers evaluate business performance and communicate with executives about how the company is doing. Traditionally, information systems have been grouped into four categories including transactional systems, management information systems, decision support systems, and executive systems. While this is a very broad categorization that does not adequately incorporate all of the specialized systems that are being used today, it does give the reader a general idea of how to conceptualize information systems. Graduates of information systems degree programs commonly find jobs that work with one or many different types of information systems.
Some of the things that a management information systems professional may end up doing include design and construction of systems, database management, security consulting, project development, intelligence analysis, and much more. The main purpose of these types of degree programs is to create graduates who are well-versed in the technical aspects of information systems, but who have the ability to apply the information that those systems provide to real-world business scenarios. Individuals who work primarily on the technical side of the industry are less capable of appreciating how the systems they construct could be used to solve problems; whereas, people who work only on the administrative side may not be aware of the technology that could be used to solve their problems.
A career in information systems has a very bright outlook because of the ongoing technological changes that we are experiencing. Companies continuously need to update and replace their systems with newer and more advanced technology in order to remain competitive. This translates into long-term job security for individuals who have the skills to manage these types of systems. Because companies are so dependent on information systems for efficient operational processes, they are willing to pay their information systems managers a very appealing salary. Most professionals in this field can expect to receive an average salary that is somewhere between $75,000 and $125,000 per year. The exact number is, of course, dependent on experience and the job title.
Those who feel that this career path might be the right one for them are encouraged to investigate MIS Degree programs offered by colleges and universities in their area. It is also important for aspiring professionals to start communicating with individuals in the field to get a better idea of whether they think this is the right move for them. Talking to people who have years of experience can inform your decision-making process and result in a much more satisfying experience.