Management Information Systems, An overview

As a Career Counselor, I have met a lot of students who want to pursue a career in IT after engineering. Many have asked about pursuing masters in Management Information Systems (MIS). They come up with so many queries as well as assumptions that we, at Skill Maestro decided to clear up the fog and write a detailed post on what MIS is all about. Who should pursue it and what can they expect after graduation.

What is Management Information Systems (MIS)?

In today’s age, organizations rely on computerized information for almost every aspect of their business. Businesses use information systems at all levels of setup to collect, process and store data. Senior management groups and circulates this data in the form of information needed to carry out the daily operations of business.

“Management information systems” involves a wide range of computer courses, including programming languages, information technology security, and planning and integration of systems.

Why Management in Information Systems (MIS)?

Information systems is a field where demand is skyrocketing with projected annual growth rates of more than 25% – one of the fastest of any business discipline as per U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some of the compelling reasons why one should go for an MS in MIS:

• High employment rate
• Job satisfaction
• Better than average earnings
• Challenging assignments
• Hands-on problem solving
• Global opportunities
• Great opportunities for advancement
• Opportunity to create an impact!

What you learn in MIS programs?

A major in MIS gives a solid foundation in all the major aspects of business management. You’ll learn to evaluate individual requirements, as well as the broader economic and social requirements of a company, so you can most effectively structure and consolidate its data. Since you’ll regularly be scheduling and problem-solving in groups, it’s important that you possess good communications skills and relish working with people as well. Some of the skills one can learn in an MIS program:

• A comprehensive understanding of information technologies and how these are used in governmental organizations
• A detailed understanding of the information systems life cycle
• A comprehensive understanding of system requirements gathering, analysis, documentation, and validation
• Project management skills
• Ability to develop prototypes using various visual tools
• Aptitude to identify organizational data, and design and manipulate databases
• Capability to integrate technical skills with an understanding of business operations
• Leadership skills

How it is different from a MS in Computer Science Degree

A significant share of the MIS degree put emphasis on data analytics, teamwork, project management, leadership, and underlying focus on business management. These course aspects are what set the MIS professional apart from a computer science expert. Programming is just a minor part of the MIS curriculum. While programming concepts denote some of the basic concepts and information systems development, implementation and use, a large number of jobs in MIS do not utilize programming at all.

Who should pursue it?

• Are you a people’s person?
• Do you relish the challenge to work on global problems with people from all over the world?
• Do you enjoy analyzing and solving problems?
• Do you want to create cutting-edge innovative technology solutions?
• Are you curious enough to make business processes more efficient, effective and competitive?

If the answer to the above questions is yes, then this might be the course for you

Opportunities after the degree/Career Paths

Graduates can expect to work in both technical and managerial capacities on development of information technology projects for collecting, managing, analyzing, and acting on business data. A degree in Management Information Systems provides graduates the skills they need to work in both technical and managerial capacities. Graduates work on the development of information technology projects for collecting, managing, analyzing, and acting on business data. They can expect to work in industries, ranging from healthcare to consulting to banking. Some of the career options which you can pursue after an MS in management information systems are as follows:

• Business Analyst
• IT Consultant
• Information Systems Manager
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Applied Management Analyst
• Risk Analyst

What do you do after MIS?

MIS professionals make information systems for data management which can include storing, searching and analyzing data. Additionally, they handle various information systems to cater to the requirements various stakeholders (i.e. managers, staff and customers). By working collaboratively with various group members, as well as with their clients, MIS professionals play a significant role in areas such as information security, integration and exchange.

About Skill Maestro At Skill Maestro, We guide prospective students about the entire application process as well as suitable universities as per their profile/test scores. We have consulted dozens of prospective students for MIS across the globe. We have a physical presence in Indore where we also help students prepare for GRE, GMAT & SAT Follow Us  on Google+!

About the Author Sandeep Panjwani has mentored more than 200 students to score full marks in Quant section of GRE/GMAT. He also brings his industry experience in providing right guidance to candidates for course selection. He has extraordinary insights about the US job market and has mentored several students in securing high paying jobs in Investment banks and financial institutions in USA. He loves to watch US sitcoms and is an ardent follower of Warren Buffett Follow him  on Google+!