Undergraduate Students

Exploring Careers

Career Paths for Information Systems Majors

Career Description

Though Information Systems brings to mind large corporations like Microsoft, IBM, etc., careers in Information Systems exist wherever an organization relies on computer technology for effective and efficient management of data, which is – almost everywhere! Work varies widely from software maintenance/development, internal system networking or network consulting, website construction including content management, and database construction that makes analyzing complex data relationships simple for the user. The main focus of Information Systems is the implementation and support of computer technology within a business organization, profit or nonprofit.

Sample Career Opportunities

Consultant- An information system Consultant will most frequently work internally for a company or as part of a consulting firm that serves external clients. The consultant will need to meet with clients to gather their needs and expectations and work with a team to develop/adjust the product.

IS Associate/Specialist- IS specialists typically are dedicated to a specific company. They respond to immediate company IS needs as well as longer-term IS projects. Educating and advising about IS capabilities and opportunities are frequently an informal part of the job as well.

Systems Analyst- A Systems Analyst will take a high-level and in-depth look at current IS productivity and effectiveness in relation to company goals and expectations. From there they will work with teams to make improvements, sometimes even developing new systems from the ground up.

Business Analyst- A Business Analyst will use their Information System skills to gather and interpret data to gain a superb understanding of a company’s business climate. They will then work with administrators to make decisions across the many business functions throughout the organization.

Skills Needed

Following are some skill sets that IS employers will commonly look for during interviews:

• Self-motivation

• Technical proficiency & diversity

• Clear, concise communication

• Team collaboration skills

• General business acumen

• Flexibility

Resources for Further Research

Online Resources:

• CIO online magazine: a leading publication for information executives http://www.cio.com

• Wall Street Journal Career Journal: useful information for making career decisions http://www.careerjournal.com 

• Salary Expert- salary, bonus, cost-of-living, and benefits data for US, Canadian and international jobs: http://www.salaryexpert.com

Print Resources:

• Guide to Careers in Information Technology, 2004 edition. WetFeet

• Information Technology Careers – The Hottest Jobs for the New Millennium. Drew Bird and Mike Harwood

• Survival Guide to I. T.: Learn what goes on in the Information Technology Field. Pat Sullivan

• Get Your IT Career in Gear! Leslie Jaye Goff

• Ace the IT Resume! Paula Moreira and Robyn Thorpe

• Discovering Your Career in Business

Information Systems Employers at Smith

Following is a small sample of employers who recruit IS majors at Maryland. The positions are just an example. Always be sure to read the actual job description thoroughly. Sometimes assumptions from the job title may be misleading. You can find out more through SOURCE or the OCM.