Management Information Systems A Career Perspective

Management Information Systems MIS Graduates … Are considered Information Technology Professionals Unique combination Understanding of Business Understanding of Information Technology Able to combine these to gain competitive advantage for the organization October 2002 Management Information Systems

Management Information Systems 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) October 2002 Management Information Systems

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 October 2002 Management Information Systems

Management Information Systems 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 October 2002 Management Information Systems

Entry Level MIS Career Tracks Systems Analyst ~premier position for MIS Investigates business processes: key is understanding the business needs Determine user needs related to information-based problems Output is a detailed set of system specifications for a new or improved system Often works in team environment October 2002 Management Information Systems

Entry Level MIS Career Tracks Programmer Write business computer programs according to specifications prepared by systems analyst May work individually or in teams Web development has become popular especially in e-commerce environment Most companies plan to train the new hire in their programming environment October 2002 Management Information Systems

Entry Level MIS Career Tracks Programmer/Analyst Combines 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 October 2002 Management Information Systems

Entry Level MIS Career Tracks Database Administrator Responsible for designing, implementing, and maintain database systems Establish policies and procedures for security, management, and maintenance Works with end users and with IS programmers and system administrators October 2002 Management Information Systems

Entry Level MIS Career Tracks Network/LAN Administrator Designs network architecture Wires network ports Installs and configures file/web servers Maintains user names and passwords, permissions Troubleshoots networking problems October 2002 Management Information Systems

Entry Level MIS Career Tracks Consultant/Business Analyst Combines highest business understanding with technical expertise to solve problems May work for a consulting company and be assigned to different client companies Frequently serve as trainers, user support specialists, technical support specialists, or project group experts October 2002 Management Information Systems

Management Information Systems MIS Curriculum Business Core (44 credit hours) So: Economics I/II, Accounting I/II, Statistics I/II, BLaw Jr/Sr: Management, Marketing, MIS, Finance, Operations, Business Report Writing Sr: Business Strategy Every business major takes same core October 2002 Management Information Systems

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) October 2002 Management Information Systems

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) October 2002 Management Information Systems

Management Information Systems MIS Minor Curriculum Required Courses (9 hours) MIS 310: COBOL I MIS 376: Business Computer Systems MIS 300: Systems Analysis Electives (pick 6 hours from MIS courses) October 2002 Management Information Systems

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 October 2002 Management Information Systems

Management Information Systems MIS Facilities School of Business Computer Labs SB 403 Software Lab SB 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 October 2002 Management Information Systems

Student Organizations - Key MISA – Management Information Systems Association Active membership with biweekly meetings Guest speakers, field trips and tours Networking opportunities, service learning, fun http://misnt.indstate.edu/misa October 2002 Management Information Systems

Student Organizations - Key AIM – Alpha Iota Mu National MIS honor society Founded at ISU as the Alpha chapter Selected based on academic record and character http://misnt.indstate.edu/aim. October 2002 Management Information Systems

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! October 2002 Management Information Systems

Management Information Systems 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 October 2002 Management Information Systems

Management Information Systems 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 JeffHarper@indstate.edu This file http://misnt.indstate.edu/bjm/careers.ppt October 2002 Management Information Systems