Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the study of information systems about?

Information Systems is about systems and how information technology can be used to enhance business processes. Information Systems is not just a technical degree program, but it is also a business degree program. More and more businesses are relying on their information systems to stay competitive. Of key importance is the knowledge of how to use information technology to solve business problems. This is exactly what the information systems degree programs train students to do.

2. What kind of careers can I look forward to?

Information Systems gives students hands-on experience with systems which help organizations and people communicate, systems which automate business processes and collect information, and systems which enhance organizational decision making. State-of-the-art courses include work in object oriented programming, modern programming languages, advanced systems development methodologies, telecommunications and the Internet, electronic business concepts, and database technologies. Entry level positions include (but are not limited to) systems analysts, systems programmers, telecommunications specialists, and organizational consultants. As time passes, your IS degree (coupled with your organizational experience) will prepare you to work as team and project leaders, managers of information systems departments, general managers, and possibly Chief Information Officers (CIO's) or Chief Executive Officers (CEO's). See the following link for more information regarding Information Systems careers.

3. What sort of demand is there for information systems professionals?

Despite some of the recent press indicating that outsourcing has had a negative impact on the information systems job market, the truth is that more information systems professionals are needed, and will continue to be needed. Read these recent quotes about demand:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics – November, 2004
  Employment of computer and information systems managers is expected to grow much faster (grow more than 36%) than the average for all occupations through the year 2012.

• Wall Street Journal – August 31, 2004
  “small start-up technology firms are having trouble filling jobs…”
  
  
• Information Week – September 13, 2004
  “IT departments must prepare for the upcoming Sarbanes-Oxley deadlines but the compliance will be on-going as companies incorporate IT systems and processes”

According to estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many new information systems professionals will be needed in the next ten years. Here are just a few examples:

• 72,000 new programmers will be needed
• 1,200,000 new system analysts will be needed
• 102,000 network administrators will be needed

4. What classes will I take?

Classes depend on the degree (undergraduate or graduate) and track you choose (Management Information Systems, and Accounting Information Systems). Although the same business core applies, course requirements for these tracks vary.