Recently we discussed what you can do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics, and today we’ll cover how to launch a career in management information systems (MIS).

This post will cover whether or not it’s a good industry to focus on, what MIS professionals do each day, and how to increase your chances of successfully breaking into the field.

We’ll also provide you with an overview of what to expect from a career in management information systems so you can make an educated decision about whether or not this is the right career for you.

After you’ve learned everything you need to know about launching a career in Management Information Systems, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about our 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics

If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

 

Is Management Information Systems a Good Career Field?

There are three outstanding reasons to think about becoming a management information systems professional:

  1. The industry is growing quickly, with the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimating that the employment of various computer and information technology occupations will grow 13% between 2020 and 2030, which is faster than the average for all occupations. 
  2. Management information systems professionals play an important role in organizations across many different industries, managing the critical data of a company which is used to make important business decisions.
  3. Top jobs in the industry offer great compensation, including an impressive average annual salary, especially for the best jobs in the industry.

If you’ve ever thought about starting a career in management information systems and wondered whether or not this is a good career to focus on, the answer is definitely yes.

 

What Do Management Information Systems Professionals Actually Do?

Management information systems professionals are typically in charge of using information technology to store, search, and analyze data.

Generally speaking, management information systems professionals are responsible for ensuring important data is stored properly, and then using this data to create reports for leadership to make informed business decisions.

These professionals work in various settings, including government, IT consulting, e-commerce, and many other industries, but no matter where they work, they tend to share a number of key responsibilities.

Typically, MIS professionals are in charge of tasks like:

  • Managing the implementation of new software throughout an organization.
  • Analyzing large sets of data to create business reports.
  • Ensuring data is secure and protected.
  • Coordinating with other departments to ensure data is easily accessible.
  • Developing and implementing sound data management procedures.

As you can see, there is a lot of complexity in the work of a management information systems professional, but the primary objective for MIS personnel tends to be handling tasks related to data management.

 

What Skills Do Management Information Systems Professionals Need?

Here are some of the important skills you should consider developing before embarking on a career in management information systems:

  • Project Management Skills - You’ll need to be able to manage multiple technology-related projects at the same time, ensuring that they’re completed on time and under budget.
     
  • Interpersonal Skills - Your role will touch virtually every department in an organization, so it is important that you can work collaboratively with others on a regular basis.
     
  • Analytical Skills - Leadership will depend on you to compile and analyze important data sets, as well as create business reports to make critical business decisions.
     
  • Communication Skills - Analyzing data or implementing new software can be complex topics many will not understand. It will be your job to clearly explain the change or meaning of certain data to employees across different business units.
     
  • Coding Skills - At times you might even be required to write code in order to improve efficiencies and automate systems.

When working in management information systems, you may also have the opportunity to specialize in various areas, like finance, accounting, or marketing.

Perhaps your interests lie on the financial side of the business? In that case, you could concentrate on accounting or corporate finance.

If you want to improve your skills in more specific areas within the management information systems field, you might also want to consider studying or even specializing in some of the sub-disciplines that are important to this career, like:

  • Finance and accounting principles.
  • Software development.
  • Business intelligence and decision making.
  • Business statistics.

No matter what you choose to do in the industry, one thing to keep in mind is that it might be difficult to achieve success in this field without first developing a deep understanding of both the business and technical aspects of the industry.

While this is a fantastic career path with numerous opportunities for growth, you may struggle to get a good job or maintain a successful career course without first completing a related degree program.

 

Do I Need a Degree to Get Into Management Information Systems?

Not necessarily, but getting your degree in management information systems could significantly increase your chances of getting a good job in this extremely competitive industry.

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, candidates for jobs in management information systems typically need at least a bachelor's degree to be considered for a position in the industry.

Should you decide to pursue this path, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics would be an excellent way to begin your career.

No matter what your overall career goals might be, the best way to start a career in this industry is to first develop a detailed understanding of the foundational knowledge of management information systems, and getting a degree is the best way to do that.

Completing your degree is the best way to develop the fundamental knowledge, skills, and abilities required to succeed in the industry, and it’s also the best way to demonstrate that you are ready to provide real value to their organization from your first day on the job.

 

What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems?

After you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree, you can pursue a wide range of exciting, challenging, and excellent roles in the industry, including jobs like:

These are just a small sample from the many roles that you can pursue with an undergraduate degree in management information systems.

Realistically, earning your bachelor’s degree will make you eligible for a vast amount of different job titles. 

 

What Can I Do With a Master’s Degree in Management Information Systems?

Earning your master’s degree in management information systems will allow you to pursue almost any job in the industry. 

Some of the jobs you may be qualified for include:

Again, these are just a small set of examples of the types of jobs you could get after completing an accredited master’s degree in the field. 

The reality is that after earning a master’s degree, you’ll have the opportunity to explore many different career paths in a challenging but growing industry. 

 

What Else Can I Do to Increase My Odds of Success?

Getting your degree is definitely the most important thing you can do to begin a successful career in management information systems, but there are other things you can do to further improve your knowledge, skills, and abilities.

First, make sure that you’ve worked on developing some of the most critical skills for management information systems professionals, including both hard and soft skills needed for this industry.

Hard skills are specific, job related technical skills which must be learned through direct practice, such as data analysis or experience with software development. 

For this field, hard skills include things like:

  • Managing and maintaining back-end networks.
  • Understanding search query functionality.
  • Performing various coding tasks.
  • Knowing management information systems terminology.

Soft skills are more difficult to measure, but no less important, and include more general skills such as the ability to communicate effectively or lead a team of employees. 

Here are some of the most important soft skills for management information systems professionals:

  • Presentation skills.
  • Ability to think creatively.
  • Ability to handle setbacks.
  • Problem-solving.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Written communication skills.

As you can see, the skills required for a successful career in management information systems are plentiful, but with the proper education and training, you’ll be on your way to a rewarding and successful career in this exciting industry. 

Another thing you should consider doing before attempting to enter the industry, or when trying to further your career, is completing relevant certification programs.

Certifications can help prove to employers that you have the necessary skills and abilities needed to be successful in certain positions, and there are a variety of certifications that you might want to consider completing.

According to Indeed.com, some of the best certifications for people working in management information systems include:

  • Informations Systems Analyst Certification (ISP)
  • Associate Computing Professional Certification (ACP)
  • Certified Computing Professional (CCP)
  • Certified Informations Systems Auditor (CISA)
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
  • Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

It is important to remember that these certificates are not essential to starting or progressing in your career, but they could be valuable for enhancing your skills, abilities, and resume, especially for more advanced positions.

 

Should I Get My Degree in Management Information Systems Online?

One of the most exciting things about pursuing a degree in management information systems is that you have the option of receiving your education entirely online, which offers numerous benefits in terms of flexibility and freedom.

In fact, should you choose to study online with us at CSU Global, you’ll get to take advantage of several unique benefits, including: 

  • No set times or locations for classes.
  • Monthly class starts.
  • Accelerated, eight-week courses.

Thanks to these benefits, studying online with us may make balancing your studies with existing work and family responsibilities a much easier process.

If you want to get a degree to help launch or accelerate your career in management information systems, but you already have a busy schedule, then you should consider studying online at CSU Global.

 

Why Should I Choose to Study Management Information Systems at CSU Global?

Our 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics was designed to provide you with everything you need to start a successful, lifelong career in the industry.

This program is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which ensures that your degree will be respected by hiring managers looking to employ skilled experts in the field.

Our program is also widely recognized as one of the best programs in the industry, as it’s been awarded several excellent rankings, including:

  • A #1 ranking on Best Online Bachelor's in Management Information Systems Programs from Best Colleges.
  • A #1 ranking on Best Online Bachelor's in Management Information Systems Programs in 2022 from Intelligent.
  • A #3 ranking on 15 Best Online Business Analytics Bachelor’s for 2020 from Great Business Schools.

CSU Global itself is also widely regarded as an industry leader in higher education, having recently achieved several important rankings, including:

  • A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges & Schools in Colorado from Best Accredited Colleges.
  • A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges in Colorado from Best Colleges.
  • A #10 ranking for Best Online Colleges for ROI from OnlineU.

Finally, we offer competitive tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee to ensure that your affordable tuition rate won’t increase for as long as you remain enrolled as a student, which protects you from the rate increases that are common at other schools.

To get additional details about our fully-accredited online Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics, please give us a call at (800) 462-7845, or fill out our Information Request Form.

Ready to get started today? Apply now!