Major In Management Information Systems example essay topic

The Best Career Options for an MIS Major GENERAL OVERVIEW EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS CAREER OPTIONS Prepared for Mr. Edwin Hard By Norma Ca zares December 1, 2003 INTRODUCTION Information technology has become a major factor in almost every aspect of our society today. Most homes and all businesses have a personal computer, which has become a powerful tool for gathering, manipulating, and delivering information. Not only has the computer become a great educational tool, but also access to the World Wide Web has allowed us to shop and communicate with people and companies all around the world. Sophisticated databases allow us to collect, store, and access data, while networks and telecommunications technology allow us to deliver and retrieve information to and from anywhere in the world.

Understanding and learning about information technology, its components, language, and potential, has become a requirement for personal and professional growth and success (Center 1). Management Information Systems (MIS) is a rapidly growing field, offering many employment opportunities and a wide variety of career options. Within companies and large organizations, the department responsible for the computer systems is called the MIS Department. It has become necessary to have MIS departments for their technical support and expertise to ensure that computer networking systems run smoothly in day-to-day business. The purpose of this project is to investigate what MIS jobs involve, if whether the course requirements in the business school serve to prepare MIS majors for the kinds of on-the-job writing they will do.

And also offer recommendations to fellow students after researching and analyzing these issues. GENERAL OVERVIEW What is Management Information Systems (MIS)? MIS is a general term for the computer systems in a corporation that provide information about the corporation's operations. It is also used to refer to the people who manage these systems. Typically, in a large corporation, "MIS" or the "MIS Department" refers to a central or centrally coordinated system of computer expertise and management, often including mainframe systems but also including by extension the corporation's entire network of computer resources (Search 1): In the beginning, business computers were used for the practical business of computing the payroll and keeping track of accounts payable and receivable. As applications were developed that provided managers with information about sales, inventories, and other data that would help in managing the enterprise, the term "MIS" arose to describe these kinds of applications.

Today, the term is used broadly in a number of contexts and includes (but is not limited to): decision support systems, resource and people management applications, project management, and database retrieval applications. The Management Information Systems Department aims to do the following (Information 1): Enhance, support and upgrade the organization's management information systems so that the organization is positioned for excellence in achieving its goals. Demonstrate the highest standards of customer service, technical expertise, procedural efficiency and attention to user and staff requirements. The primary role of the Management Information Systems Group is to do the following: Support and enhance management information systems and their underlying databases in accordance with business needs, enabling users to access and process information easily. MIS also has key roles in administrative system projects: Implementing, selecting, developing or customizing software for projects such as upgrades, interfaces, web enablement of applications and new applications. Managing the delivery of the IT component of the project, arranging resources according to the expertise needed and the funding allocated for the project.

Practically every business today is run with the help of a computer system and applications that are curtailed for that particular type of business. It is essential for everyone to have some computer experience when seeking almost any type of job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that eight of the 10 fastest growing occupations between 2000 and 2010 will be computer related (Moncarz 39). These occupations have become so demanding that workers who have degrees in fields other than computer and information science, have begun to apply for and obtain computer-related positions. The National Science Foundation reports that in 1999, almost two thirds of workers who held bachelor's degrees and worked computer-related jobs actually majored in other fields.

Only 33% of the workers had computer and information sciences degrees (Moncarz 40). As the chart below indicates, the information technology field attracts many intelligent people who may start their careers in one field of study but are drawn to jobs working with computers and modern technology since it is a growing and challenging field. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS A major in Management Information Systems (MIS) is set up for students interested in becoming administrators of information systems that use computers in the business and administrative environment. As stated in the UH Undergraduate Catalog 2001-2003, the subject matter for MIS includes computer hardware and software, database design, data communication, electronic commerce, systems analysis and design methodologies, behavior issues and the business or administrative context within which computer systems are applied. After students complete two years of lower level business administration courses, the course requirements for completing a MIS major within the Bachelor of Science Business Administration degree are as follows (UH Undergraduate 89): Course Number Title DISC 2373 Introduction to Computers and Management Information Systems DISC 3369 Information Technology in Organizations DISC 3370 Information Systems Development Tools DISC 3371 Transaction Processing Systems I DISC 3376 Business Data Base Management Systems DISC 4370 Systems Analysis and Design DISC 4378 Managing Computer-Based Management Information Systems MIS majors must complete a minimum of six semester hours (2 courses) of computer programming. While DICK 2373 and DISC 3369 are recommended, students may select courses in C, C++, COBOL, JAVA, and Visual Basic.

These courses introduce students to the fundamentals of structured design and programming, management of data resources, capabilities of electronic commerce, computer communications and network design. A MIS major has the choice of an upper level MIS elective from any of the following courses (UH Undergraduate 106-7): DISC 4371 Interactive Systems DISC 4372 Transaction Processing II DISC 4376 Decision Support Systems and Expert Systems DISC 4377 Fundamental of Data Communications DISC 4379 Systems Analysis and Design Practicum DISC 4380 Multimedia Applications in Business DISC Upper Division MIS Elective After completing all of these requirements, a MIS graduate should possess a balance between technical skills and knowledge of business functions and be professionally competent to seek employment. Such employment options are discussed in the next section. CAREER OPTIONS What kinds of jobs are available for MIS graduates? There are many career opportunities with significant diversity in the types of positions.

The strength of a MIS graduate will lie in his / her ability to apply the knowledge and technical skills to help organizations compete in the marketplace. Below is an overview of positions that are available for MIS graduates as discussed on the website of the University of Houston (UH Management 1): Systems Analyst - A Systems Analyst is involved in the development of new application systems and daily work may change depending on the project. The work is demanding of all communication skills including oral, listening, writing, and presentation. Analysts assigned to support existing systems have fewer deadlines but are responsible for determining the effect of changes and implementing them. Systems analysts who work for consultants may travel more than those working for companies. Positions closely related to a Systems Analyst are Business Analysts and System Integrators.

Programmer - A Programmer is involved in the coding, de-bugging, and testing of new applications and in the modification of existing application software. Design work if performed by a Programmer is done only under the direction of a more senior programmer. A Programmer works with systems analysts on teams and with other programmers to coordinate and review code. Programmers who work for consultants travel more than programmers who work for companies.

Positions closely related to a Programmer are Programmer / Analysts and Software Engineer Network Administrator - A Network Administrator has the responsibility for daily operation and upgrades of a portion of a larger network. He / she will execute software upgrades, manage security and troubleshoot problems. A Network Administrator may work odd hours to make network upgrades or deal with facility issues. (such as moves). A Network Administrator is not desk-bound, but travel is usually limited to a firm's facilities. This is a behind-the-scenes kind of job, without a lot of demand for making presentations or dressing very professional. Positions closely related to a Network Administrator are LAN (Local Area Network) or WAN (Wide Area Network) Administrator and Network Specialist.

MIS Auditor - A MIS Auditor will perform auditing that is project oriented and will have a schedule that is work-plan driven. Large systems will have teams of MIS auditors, while small systems may be audited by one or two. MIS auditors may be assigned to a general audit team with non-MIS people. Auditors not work inside MIS organizations, but often work with MIS personnel and system users. Some MIS auditing positions work for consultants, while others are "inside auditors" and work for a company. Auditors who work for consultants travel more often than those that work for companies.

While they make recommendations about changes and control mechanisms, MIS auditors do not write programs, design systems, train users, or other systems development work. A MIS Auditor with Certification is valued. Closely related positions to a MIS Auditor are Risks Analysts. Help Desk - A Help Desk employee must quickly become knowledgeable about new applications and their platforms. This employee is involved in providing on-demand support for end users working with both desktop and mainframe applications. Daily work may involve trouble-shooting and working with users who vary greatly in experience, helping users get access to data from corporate systems, converting formats, and providing other support services.

Help Desk employees often directly develop desktop applications or help users to do so. Also, they may develop standards for hardware and software, control security, implement software upgrades in the field, and train users in new applications. When not on phone at his / her desk, this employee may be required to be available by pager. They are seldom called in at night and require little travel.

A consultant version of this position emphasizes training and end-user application development. Help Desks are common in all major firms and are often offered as co-op or internship positions. A Help Desk employee can learn a lot about the company from this position. Closely related positions to the Help Desk are Customer Service, PC Specialist, and Information Center Specialist. Web Developer - A Web Developer is involved with the creation, maintenance, and hosting of web pages. This is a fluid are in terms of the specific technologies that may be involved, but the core skills relate to HTML (Hyper Test Markup Language) and its extensions, particularly the ability to link web pages to databases.

A Web Developer must have a familiarity with web protocols and issues associated with web naming and achieving performance and security. Entry level jobs may involve testing and maintaining pages designed by others and some design of pages, particularly scripts, forms, and queries. There is a lot of competition for the design components of this but less competition for programming work. This job has a lot of variation in working contexts because it ranges from independent consultants and small businesses to developing the web interface for major transaction processing systems as part of a team. Closely related positions to the Web Developer are Web Designer, Web Programmer, and Webmaster. It is significant and encouraging for MIS graduates to keep in mind the following points (Occupational Outlook Handbook 1): Projected job growth stems for MIS graduates from rapid growth among computer-related occupations.

Employers prefer managers with advanced technical knowledge acquired through computer-related work experience and formal education. Job opportunities should be best for applicants with a master's degree in business administration with technology as a core component. CONCLUSION This report has discussed Management Information Systems and why communication skills are so important. Employers are seeking candidates who have computer skills and technology-related degrees. Technical skills alone, however, are not enough to secure a job. Employers also want individuals who have interpersonal, teamwork, analytical and communication skills.

Graduating with a major in Management Information Systems provide you with this diverse group of characteristics.

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