MIS F.A.Q.:
1. What do Management Information Systems professionals do?
Management Information Systems focuses on designing computer systems to help people and organizations function more effectively. Computer and information systems managers play a vital role in the technological direction of their organizations because they do everything from constructing the business plan to overseeing network and Internet operations. MIS professionals not only apply their broad knowledge of information technologies and business issues, but their vision of where technology can take organizations.
2. What degree options are available in MIS?
Undergraduates can earn a bachelor's degree in information systems or information technology, or take classes as part of a business degree. MBA students can choose concentrations in IS/IT, and some schools offer master's degrees and PhDs in MIS/IT.
3. What's the difference between a master's in MIS and an MBA with a MIS concentration?
While both an MBA with a focus on information systems/technology and a Master of Information Systems degree will prepare you to assume managerial positions within the field of MIS, the MBA degree will provide you with more general skills that are transferable to other areas. The master's will provide you with greater information systems expertise, but fewer transferable skills. The MBA degree's broad curriculum also helps MIS professionals with client management and other strategic issues in performing their jobs, especially in management advisory services.
4. What will I study in a management information systems degree program?
The MIS profession is inherently interdisciplinary, requiring aspects of computer science, cognitive science, psychology and sociology, economics, business, law, library/information studies and communications. Students in MBA programs with an emphasis on MIS will most likely study everything from computer science/programming, program design and data structures, database management, microeconomics, human resources management, finance, managerial accounting, policy, calculus, statistics and management science.
5. What skills are necessary to work in the information systems field?
Information systems managers need a broad range of skills—a keen understanding of people, processes, and customer's needs. In addition to technical skills, employers need managers with strong business savvy. Most importantly, MIS professionals should possess excellent communication skills and enjoy working with people - talking about projects and solving problems in teams. They should also be able t understand how to organize information; analyze user information needs design or evaluate information systems that allow for efficient and effective user interaction; provide and assure the quality and value of information to decision makers; understand the economic and social environment in which their organization functions; be familiar with relevant issues in law, economics, ethics and management
6. What is a typical career path for an MIS-MBA graduate?
The typical career path within the IS field begins as a Systems Analyst or a Systems Consultant leading to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) or Chief Technology Officer (CTO) positions. An IS or IT professional may have a large number of MIS job titles and positions during his/her career such as: Systems Analyst, Database Administrator, Computer Systems Auditor, Information Systems Manager, Computer and Software Marketing Manager, Office Automation Specialist, Computer Consultant or Network Administrator.
7. What's the overall career outlook for management information systems?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, career opportunities for MIS professionals are expanding rapidly and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future due to the growth of the e-commerce and telecommunications industries. Opportunities for obtaining a management position will be best for workers possessing an MBA with technology as a core component, advanced technical knowledge and strong communication and administrative skills.
Robert Half International Consulting, found that the average starting salaries in 2001 for high-level information technology managers ranged from $92,250 to $152,500. A 2001 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, stated that starting salary offers for those with an MBA, a technical undergraduate degree, and 1 year or less of experience averaged $61,196; for those with a master's degree in management information systems/business data processing, $57,225.
[此贴子已经被作者于2004-12-25 21:42:26编辑过] | 
