Management Information Systems A Career Perspective

ManagementInformation Systems

A Career Perspective

Management Information Systems 2October 2002

MIS Graduates …

Are considered Information Technology Professionals

Unique combinationUnderstanding of BusinessUnderstanding of Information TechnologyAble to combine thesecombine these to gain competitive

advantage for the organization


MIS Graduates

Develop and maintain information systems as solutions to business problems

Work with other IT professionals in a team environment

Often serve team/project leadership roles Come from a accredited business program

(AACSB)


MIS Courses Stress Real World

Students learn cutting-edge technologies and practice their understanding

Project assignments reflect actual work assignments

Teams often work with campus and community organizations to develop information systems

“My job is my MIS 420 course” – MIS graduate


MIS Career Tracks

Based on solid feedback from industry via corporate advisory board

Employers expect MIS grads to have solid communication, analytical, and managerial skills

Generally pursue applied problem-solving Prepare for future project leadership/managerial

roles within the firm


Entry Level MIS Career Tracks

Systems Analyst ~premier position for MIS Investigates business processes: key is

understanding the business needsDetermine user needs related to information-

based problemsOutput is a detailed set of system

specifications for a new or improved systemOften works in team environment



ProgrammerWrite business computer programs according

to specifications prepared by systems analystMay work individually or in teamsWeb development has become popular

especially in e-commerce environmentMost companies plan to train the new hire in

their programming environment



Programmer/AnalystCombines systems analysis and programming

Serves first as systems analyst to determine needs Then modifies programs as needed

Communication skills are crucial: must work with user base and with IT

This has been the most frequent 1st job area for ISU grads



Database AdministratorResponsible for designing, implementing, and

maintain database systemsEstablish policies and procedures for security,

management, and maintenanceWorks with end users and with IS

programmers and system administrators



Network/LAN AdministratorDesigns network architectureWires network ports Installs and configures file/web serversMaintains user names and passwords,

permissionsTroubleshoots networking problems



Consultant/Business AnalystCombines highest business understanding

with technical expertise to solve problemsMay work for a consulting company and be

assigned to different client companiesFrequently serve as trainers, user support

specialists, technical support specialists, or project group experts


MIS Curriculum

Business Core (44 credit hours)So: Economics I/II, Accounting I/II, Statistics

I/II, BLawJr/Sr: Management, Marketing, MIS, Finance,

Operations, Business Report WritingSr: Business Strategy

Every business major takes same core


MIS Major Curriculum (Present)

Required MIS Courses (21 hours) 310: COBOL I 376: Business Computer Systems (Project) 300: Systems Analysis (Project) 430: Data Communications/Networking (Project) 420: Database Management (Project) 476: Management of Information Systems Additional communications course (215 or 305)


MIS Major Curriculum (Present)

Electives (pick any 9 hours) COBOL II (employers want same* language) E-Commerce Programming (Project) Business Web Development Advanced Web Development Managing LANs I (Windows 2000 Hands-on) Decision Support Systems/Oracle (Project) C++ Programming (CS 256 or MIS 355) MIS Internship (MIS 339) Accounting Systems (Acct 313)


MIS Minor Curriculum

Required Courses (9 hours)MIS 310: COBOL IMIS 376: Business Computer Systems MIS 300: Systems Analysis

Electives (pick 6 hours from MIS courses)


MIS Curriculum (Proposed)

Business Core (44 hours) MIS Required (18 hours)

Intro to Programming Concepts, Systems Analysis, COBOL I, Knowledge Management, Project Management, MIS Capstone

MIS Electives (3 or 6 hours) Pick from existing list We recommend that students take more electives


MIS Facilities

School of Business Computer LabsSB 403 Software LabSB 304 Server Lab (students build Windows

2000 servers)SB 807 Production Servers (Windows NT,

Windows 2000, Linux) Microsoft Academic Alliance member: free

latest systems software for staff/students


Student Organizations - Key

MISA – Management Information Systems AssociationActive membership with biweekly meetingsGuest speakers, field trips and toursNetworking opportunities, service learning,

fun http://misnt.indstate.edu/misa


Student Organizations - Key

AIM – Alpha Iota MuNational MIS honor societyFounded at ISU as the Alpha chapterSelected based on academic record and

characterhttp://misnt.indstate.edu/aim.


Corporate Advisory Board

More than a dozen companies to provide advice, sponsor internships, hire students, support the MIS program at ISU

Meets on campus twice a year Most of the companies are our primary

partners for recruiting: win-win-win!


MIS Faculty

Dr. Jeff Harper – PhD Auburn; program coord. Dr. Ayman Abuhamdieh – PhD Rutgers Dr. Dennis Bialaszewski – PhD SUNY Dr. Jim Buffington – PhD Nebraska Dr. Joe Harder – PhD Southern Illinois Dr. Billy Moates – PhD Alabama Dr. Bruce McLaren – PhD Purdue; dept chair Andy Cooper – MS Mike Frame – MS


For More Information …

School of Business Web Site www.indstate.edu/schbus

MIS Web Site http://misnt.indstate.edu/mis Program Coordinator: Jeff Harper

237-2279 [email protected]

This file http://misnt.indstate.edu/bjm/careers.ppt