Recently, we wrote about what management information systems is, we explored whether or not a degree in MIS is worth getting, and here we’re going to explain what jobs you should pursue after earning your bachelor’s degree in the field
Completing a B.S. degree in MIS will prepare you for a variety of excellent jobs in the field, including a wide variety of technology-driven jobs that help organizations harness the power of big data
Earning your MIS degree will provide you with the foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities required to get your foot in the door of the industry so you can start building a fulfilling, lifelong career.
This post will introduce you to some of the most common jobs available to MIS majors, explaining what it’s like to work in these roles. We’ll also discuss the typical responsibilities, projected job outlook, and average salaries for each position as well.
Finally, we’ll introduce you to the reasons why you should consider studying management information systems, why you should think about getting your MIS degree online, and how to pick the right school should you decide to pursue a degree in the field.
When you’ve finished reading this post, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about CSU Global’s 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics, or if you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.
What is Management Information Systems?
Management information systems, or MIS, is a process that uses computer databases to build data-driven reports, allowing organizations to evaluate the effectiveness of their employees, teams, departments, and initiatives, and to help them make better decisions about business strategy, business operations, or anything else that can be quantified.
MIS professionals could be responsible for any task related to advanced reporting procedures, from designing report templates to building and operating the databases that hold the information, or interpreting and explaining the data so that other employees can understand what it’s showing.
Virtually every organization, and especially those with scale, have a strong need for MIS experts, since measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of departments, teams, and even individual employees is critical to ensuring operational success.
In competitive, technology-driven industries, MIS professionals are absolutely essential to helping drive profits, and this is especially true for organizations operating in competitive industries.
Industry has taken notice of the value of MIS experts, and demand for them has risen accordingly. In fact, the BLS reports that the employment of computer and information systems managers is likely to grow 16% by 2031, which is much faster than the average rate of growth for all occupations.
If you’re interested in data and technology, and you want to help organizations thrive, then you should consider majoring in management information systems.
How to Get a Job in Management Information Systems
While demand for MIS professionals continues to grow, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s easy to get a job in the industry, especially since the work is complex, and critically important to protecting organizational efficiencies.
The last thing any company wants to do is hire someone for an MIS role who can’t actually get the job done, especially since the databases and reports that MIS experts develop are often used by organizational leaders to make critical decisions.
Accordingly, if you want to get a job in management information systems, you’ll need to develop foundational knowledge of MIS best practices, along with some specific job skills, like:
- Understanding how to conduct research to build detailed reports that recommend specific solutions that drive business objectives.
- Guiding decision-making processes around core business concepts, including management, strategy, and finance.
- Performing detailed systems analyses, designing databases, maintaining databases, and mining data.
These are not the types of skills that people just inherently have; instead, they require an investment of both time and effort. Hiring managers looking to employ people for MIS jobs know this all too well, which is why they tend to be selective of who they hire.
Functionally, this means that you may only be able to get a job offer for a position in management information systems if you can readily prove your expertise in the subject, and one of the surest ways to do that is by earning your Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics from CSU Global.
If you’re serious about getting into the industry, especially if you don’t have any experience yet, then you should start planning to earn your B.S. in MIS, as that may be your best option for helping secure stable employment in this competitive field.
What Jobs Can You Get With a Management Information Systems Degree?
After completing your Bachelor’s program in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics, you’ll be ready to start working in the field at a variety of entry-level positions, completing important and interesting work.
You’re also likely to have options for pursuing employment in a variety of different settings, including working for private or public corporations, nonprofit organizations, or state or federal government agencies, as the need for MIS experts is virtually ubiquitous in the modern economy.
To give you an idea of the types of roles you could acquire once you’ve completed your degree, some of the top job titles for people with a B.S. in MIS are:
- Computer and Information Systems Manager
- Computer Programmer
- Computer Systems Analyst
- Operations Research Analyst
Let’s look at these specific roles in detail to get a better understanding of the types of career opportunities available to MIS alumni.
Computer and Information Systems Managers
According to the BLS, computer and information systems managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing computer-related activities at an organization, which is a fairly all-encompassing role that is incredibly important for organizational success.
This is not typically an entry-level position, but instead, one that an MIS graduate may be able to grow into after establishing a successful career in the field.
BLS reports that the job outlook for computer and information systems managers is quite positive, with their employment projected to grow 16% by 2031, which is much faster than the average rate for all occupations.
BLS also reports that these professionals are quite well compensated, with the 2021 median pay for computer and information systems managers averaging $159,010.
Computer Programmer
BLS explains that computer programmers are responsible for writing and testing code for computer programs and computer applications.
A strong background in management information systems can help programmers who are responsible for designing and building the databases that MIS professionals will use to store, extract and analyze data needed to guide an organization’s business strategies.
Computer programmers are also relatively well-compensated, with the BLS reporting that their 2021 median pay was $93,000.
One quick note, if you’re primarily interested in becoming a programmer, then you may want to consider CSU Global’s online Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science instead of our B.S. in MIS and Business Analytics, as that program may give you a better foundation for a programming-focused career.
Computer Systems Analyst
The BLS says that computer systems analysts are responsible for studying computer systems and exploring opportunities to improve their effectiveness and efficiency.
This is a perfect role for the graduate of an MIS program, as it’s a job all about optimization and efficiency, requiring a skill-set where a strong background in data interpretation and analysis is certain to be useful.
BLS also projects that the employment of computer systems analysts will grow 9% by 2031, which is faster than the average rate of growth for all occupations, and which they contend is being driven by organizations adopting cloud computing.
This role is also reportedly well-compensated, with BLS reporting a 2021 median pay of $99,270.
Operations Research Analyst
According to the BLS, operations research analysts are responsible for using advanced mathematical and analytical methods to help solve complex issues.
This may be the best job for MIS majors, as the job description mirrors the learning outcomes of our Management Information Systems and Business Analytics Bachelor’s Degree program.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as an operations research analyst, then you may also be excited to hear that BLS projects their employment will grow 23% by 2031, which is much faster than the average rate of growth for all occupations.
Finally, this is another well-compensated role, with BLS reporting the 2021 median pay was $82,360.
What Other Roles are Available to MIS Majors?
The four jobs outlined above are just a small assortment of the many career opportunities available to people who’ve earned a B.S. in MIS.
In reality, there are a whole host of other positions that you could pursue once you’ve completed your degree.
Career Explorer, a website that helps millions find work, explains that MIS graduates are well-suited to pursue any of the following roles:
- Database Administrator
- Search Engine Optimization Specialist
- Search Marketing Strategist
- Information Security Analyst
- App Developer
- Librarian
- IT Manager
- Data Scientist
- Software Engineer
The knowledge, skills, and abilities you develop in CSU Global’s Management Information Systems and Business Analytics program will ensure that you’re prepared to bring value to any of these roles from day one.
Is a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems Worth It?
Yes, getting your bachelor’s in management information systems is an excellent idea, as the skills, knowledge, and experience you develop will help prepare you to find success in this competitive, challenging, but rewarding industry.
As we explained above, demand for many MIS-related jobs is also projected to grow over the next decade, making it a good time to study these skills that are in relatively high demand.
Simply put, completing an MIS degree is one of the best ways to advance your career by helping you qualify for available jobs, and reassuring hiring managers that you’re well-prepared to help drive their organization’s success.
Can You Get an Accredited B.S. in Management Information Systems Online?
Yes, you can get a regionally accredited Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics online from CSU Global, an online University that is not just regionally accredited, but also widely respected.
Our accelerated online program also offers far more flexibility and freedom than a traditional in-person program as it was designed specifically to help you juggle coursework with existing work and family responsibilities.
Choosing to get your degree online from CSU Global offers several advantages over traditional programs, including not needing to appear at any set times or locations for classes, monthly class starts, and accelerated eight-week courses.
Why Should You Consider Studying MIS With CSU Global?
CSU Global’s online Bachelor’s Degree program in Management Information Systems and Business Analytics will prepare you for a career in this exciting industry by providing you with the foundational knowledge, skills, and academic credentials you need to succeed as an MIS professional.
Our program is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and extremely well-respected by industry professionals, as it was designed to provide you with industry-relevant, workplace-related skills, and all of our courses are taught by instructors with direct, recent experience in the field.
Furthermore, our MIS and Business Analytics program was recently ranked the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Management Information Systems Programs by Best Colleges, and our alumni report excellent results from the job market, including an average salary of $72,181 one year after earning their degree, and a salary that is 47% higher than the national average for all bachelor’s degree holders (BLS, 2019) three years after graduation.
Finally, CSU Global also offers competitive tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee to ensure your rate won’t change as you study, which saves your money and time.
To get additional details about our fully accredited, 100% 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!