Management Information Systems

Overview
E-mail, personal computers, and the Internet: These products of the information age have
become common currency among working professionals. They make your life simpler by
enabling faster communication, providing tools for more effective work, and giving you
access to vast information with the click of a mouse. But they also introduce a risk factor
that isn't totally within your control: If your computer fails or the network connection
goes down, you lose time and possibly money.

What You'll Do
That's where information technology (IT) specialists come in. Information technology
brings you the information and applications-such as word-processing, spreadsheet, and
presentation software-that office workers everywhere rely on to do their jobs. IT
specialists create such products and set up and maintain such systems. Their work varies
widely: They upgrade your computer software; get your office computer network, or your
computer, up and running again after it crashes; set up and maintain the servers on which
your company's internal applications run; create and customize the software products you
use; build websites; and build and maintain the databases that you rely on to gather
information to serve your customers.

Who Does Well

IT professionals wear many hats and go by different names, depending on their area of
expertise-engineer, programmer, website producer, and network administrator, to name a
few. The range of IT jobs is vast. And the skills needed to set up an office network-install
the cables, configure the computers, and keep them running-are quite different from those
required to set up and customize an automated-payroll software system. A database
specialist needs still other skills to administer the ever-changing complex of information
generated by enterprise software applications and the company website, including files on
visitors who have signed on as members or purchased something.
But no matter what job they do, all IT professionals focus on improving the usability and
efficiency of technological systems and processes. Their goal is a smoothly functioning
computer network-free of bugs, glitches, and interruptions-that provides an effective flow
of information so the company can keep on improving its work processes, customer
retention and acquisition, and other aspects of its business.

Requirements
There's a broad range of jobs in IT, and not all positions require technical skills. "The
best tech support people we had," one insider says, "had humanities backgrounds."
Technical, communication, and business skills are all important to the field, and four-year
college degree programs-not necessarily in computer science-are still one of the best
ways to prepare for entering the IT job market.
Employers look for relevant skills and experience. A degree in computer science tends to
be most important for database developers and software engineers. Certificate programs
are more common for support and system administration specialists (see the
"Certification" section that follows for more information). On-the-job experience can
substitute for either academic credential, though for people just entering the job market, a
degree is a tremendous advantage. Computer science majors and MBAs in particular
might consider a minor or double major in a second field. Though not required, this
additional credential can be useful, particularly when working in IT for non-IT
companies. For example, a biology minor will prove very handy to a software developer
working with an insect database at a university research center. Because IT is part of so
many industries, a secondary field can be anything that interests you-film, chemistry,
history; whatever your interest, it's likely that it will complement an industry searching
for IT workers.

Certification
First-time job seekers as well as seasoned professionals may wonder whether a
professional certification is worth the time and cost. Today's employers and employees
generally find that certifications are valuable, though skepticism does exist. Some
employers use certifications as a gating factor when hiring. Whether a certificate program
is right for you depends on your career goals, the job market, and whether an employer is
willing to bear some or all of the cost.
A certificate is almost always a prerequisite for a job in information security, and a
number of common acronyms appear beside the names of successful security
professionals: CCSE (CheckPoint Certified Security Expert), CCSA (Check Point
Certified Security Administrator), CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security
Professional), or SCSE (Symantec Certified Security Engineer). Network and system
administrators are also increasingly turning to certification programs like those offered by
Microsoft and Red Hat. According to a study conducted by Foote Partners LLC,
employees with networking certificates receive higher pay premiums than employees
with noncertified networking skills (certified workers received an average 9.2 percent
premium compared to a 7.1 percent premium for those with noncertified skills).
Employees with vendor certifications from places like Cisco or Novell tend to receive
higher compensation than employees with non-vendor certifications (from the Institute
for Certification of Computing Professionals, for example). However, insiders say that
non-vendor certification is often more helpful than vendor-specific certification to
employees just starting out in the field.
Certificates are less important for software engineers and database administrators, for
whom experience and college credentials are still the most important credential. Those
who can point to previous work-even a well-executed school assignment-have a
competitive edge, and a degree in computer science is often a job prerequisite.
Education is not a process that ends when you land a job. Part of working in IT is
learning new technologies. Since the field is constantly changing and evolving, today's
hot tech skills identified by Dice. com-C++, Java, and Oracle-are just that. Next year, the
list of desirable skills will change. However careful you are at selecting your skills, you'll
need to update them and pick up new ones over the course of your career.
Continuing education can take many forms: classes, conferences, certifi cate programs, or
independent research. Books, periodicals, and online discussions and boards are very
useful, and most technologies have an online community of users. "I go to Jguru.com to
keep on top of things," one insider says. "People post new stuff there all the time." For
those who prefer the printed page, your reference library will continue to grow (and
become dated). O'Reilly publishes a very highly regarded line of books that covers the
gamut of information technologies. Ultimately, whether you choose to pursue a certifi
cation is less important than keeping abreast of technologies-and, of course, churning out
work that proves you know your stuff.

Job Outlook
The worldwide credit crunch of 2007 and 2008 has affected prosperity across all sectors,
with some analysts predicting a recession. While the IT industry has continued to grow, it
has not gone unscathed. Forrester, a notable IT research firm, recently revised its forecast
for U.S. IT spending (reflecting business and government IT operational budgets) from
6.4 percent to 5.2 percent. Less consumer spending hurts the job market, and while the
U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that some IT positions (such as database
administrators) will likely continue to experience faster-than-average growth, others
(such as programmers) are expected to decline.
Globally, the picture looks a little brighter, at least for the immediate future. Total global
spending on technology goods, services, and staff will reach $2.4 trillion in 2008, an 8
percent increase from 2007. Phenomenal industry growth is still occurring in Asia Pacific
and oil exporting regions of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In Australia,
Leon Lau of Peoplebank, the country's largest technology recruiter, told iTWire, "We are
very confident for 2008 and 2009." Even the U.K. reports no detectable slowdown in this
sector, with a demand for IT workers in the country at its highest level since the end of
2001, according to a recent report by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation.
If you're looking for an IT career in the U.S. or abroad, staying adaptable and open to
possibilities will improve your chances of thriving in an economic downturn. Whether
you're a recent college graduate with a BA in computer science or an MBA looking to get
involved with a new technology firm or product, the possibilities for growth and
employment are as numerous and varied as the fish in the sea. You may need to cast a
line out to catch one-the family business that's looking to hire an e-commerce manager
isn't likely to recruit on your college campus-but jobs are out there.
There will be plenty of competition for entry-level jobs in 2008-09, yet the information
technology field is rife with opportunity. Because technology is always improving and
computers are becoming faster and more powerful, companies will continue to invest in
new technology that makes their companies run more efficiently and less expensively,
and to replace outmoded IT infrastructures.
As John Longwell, a researcher at Computer Economics in Irvine, California, recently
told Advance, a magazine for health information executives, "IT managers are clearly
under pressure to restrain the growth of IT budgets this year. We will likely see restraints
on new hiring and decreased use of contract workers." Because the competition can be
tough, it's important to differentiate yourself. Unpaid or underpaid internships can make a
huge difference on your resume. Good references and a solid work history are
necessities.
Career Tracks
Creative Positions
Technical Producer
Degree requirements: BA or MBA
Job description: The producer acts as both the nerve center and lightning rod. For projects
such as entertainment software, the producer is like the director of a movie, setting the
tone as well as the overall look and feel, and taking responsibility for the final version.
All the art, content, administrative, and other decisions go through the producer-it can be
stressful but rewarding when it works. The producer may report to the product manager,
who's in charge of commercial concerns, or to a technical manager.

Web Developer
Degree requirement: BA
Job Description: Web developers are masters of HTML, and they know how to create
Web pages that will look good in any browser on any platform. In addition to knowing
applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash, a Web developer understands
databases, JavaScript, XML-and how to work with both designers and engineers. Tight
deadlines can make this work tough at times, but for those who love to work with rapidly
evolving tools and challenges, this job is ideal.

Webmaster
Degree requirement: BA
Job description: Smaller companies in particular tend to roll the areas of Web
architecture, design, implementation, and management into one position: the webmaster.
Webmasters may even be responsible for content creation and editing, working in
conjunction with marketing. If you hold this job, be prepared to know and do a little bit
of everything.

Engineering Positions
QA Engineer
Degree requirements: BS in computer science, MS preferred
Job description: A good QA engineer has to think of every stupid, silly, and accidental
thing a customer might do to and with a product, from using a keyboard in the bathtub to
clicking 1,000 times repeatedly on an ornamental on-screen widget. In some work
environments this can be fun, but often it's a strictly regimented process, usually on a
tight deadline as a product moves from pre-alpha to final release. QA people support
product teams, track bugs, and write documentation.

Software Engineer
Degree requirements: BS in computer science (MS preferred for senior position)
Job description: Junior software engineers mainly do the dirty work of inputting code,
connecting application modules and functionalities, debugging, and porting to other OS
platforms. However, the junior position is a stepping-stone to the senior position, which
offers the potential of having a say in the end product. Senior engineers also work with
end users, OEM customers, and others; they also take a more supervisory role in team
structure.

Application Programmer
Degree requirements: BS in computer science
Job description: This type of programmer/engineer works specifically on a particular
application that will either end up as a shrink-wrapped product or as a module that will
interact with final products. This position entails documentation, product development,
and product integration-one example would be writing or revising software that addresses
a specific task, such as calibrating color monitors.

Database Administrator
Degree requirement: BS in computer science or equivalent experience
Job description: Database administrators, or DBAs, participate in database design and
maintain, develop, and test database environments. Often, the DBA is responsible for
making backups and ensuring that information is recoverable in the event of a disaster.
Administrators may also plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard
information. It's also crucial to have the right certifications to get your foot in the door-
these are often more important than academic degrees.

Support Positions
Technical Support Analyst , Entry Level
Degree requirement: None (BA or BS preferred)
Job description: This is the front line-tech support is an entry-level position, dealing
directly with customers who are likely disgruntled, usually over the phone. It's volume
work. Though working knowledge of the product is vital, so are patience, communication
skills, and the ability to deal with unhappy people without making them more unhappy.

Software Support Engineer

Degree requirement: BS in computer science
Job description: Sometimes promoted from the ranks of tech support, this job also
includes elements of sales in that it's more involved with onsite and other direct support
of clients. As a result, this position requires knowledge of the client's needs and the
ability to troubleshoot and act independently.

IT Training Consultant
Degree requirements: BS in computer science, specialized training preferred
Job description: Most large software and hardware installations aren't just a set-up-and-go
proposition, so companies that sell servers, back-end systems, ERM/ERP solutions, and
the like employ IT staff members who introduce the client to the product. And it's not just
for arcane, complex items either-training consultants also get sales, marketing, and other
executives up to speed on new systems.
Management Information Systems (MIS)
Degree requirement: BS in computer science or electrical engineering
Job description: High-tech companies don't just sell the stuff-they use it, too. Working in
MIS means handling hardware, software, and networks, all to help the organization
running as efficiently as possible. It's kind of a jack-of-all-trades position, but it does
provide exposure to a wide skill set that could translate well to a number of more
specialized career paths. To land this kind of position, the right certifications-for
example, a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification-are also
extremely important.

System Administrator
Degree requirement: BA or certificate program
Job description: The most valuable traits in a sysadmin are a willingness to take things
apart and the patience to put the pieces together again. System administrators design, test,
and evaluate data communications systems such as local area networks. A system
administrator may also be asked to research and recommend network hardware and
software. Beware: This can be a thankless job. People never say, "Hey, my phone works
today. Awesome!" But if something goes down, you'll hear all about it.

Information Security Specialist

Degree requirement: BS in computer science
Job description: Information security specialists are responsible for securing data,
devices, and networks against unauthorized external and internal access. In addition to
designing and maintaining a set security standard and policy, the information security
specialist ensures that the policies are adhered to by all. Remember to change your
password!