COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS What can I do with this degree Students in a bachelor's degree program for Computer Information Systems will learn to play a vital role in the technological direction of their organization. They will learn the in and outs of Information Systems, including the construction of business plans, overseeing network security and directing day-to-day internet operations. A bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems will provide you with the necessary leadership and communication skills you'll need to advance your IT career. In the modern workplace, it is imperative that technology works both effectively and reliably. Computer and information systems managers play a vital role in the implementation of technology within their organizations. Computer and information systems managers direct the work of systems analysts, computer programmers, support specialists, and other computer-related workers. They plan and coordinate activities such as installation and upgrading of hardware and software, programming and systems design, development of computer networks, and implementation of Internet and intranet sites. They analyze the computer and information needs of their organizations from an operational and strategic perspective and determine immediate and long-range personnel and equipment requirements. Computer Information System Skills Systems development Critical and logical thinking Leadership Oral Communication Written and interpersonal communication skills Software installation/upgrading Programming/Systems Design Network Maintenance Network Security Strategic Planning Application Programming Systems Analysis and Design Database Management Advanced Systems Development e-business/e-commerce Development Advanced computer programming Systems analysis and design Database design and implementation IT system implementation Knowledge of computer programming language Knowledge of database management system Knowledge of systems analysis and design principles Troubleshooting Creative problem solving Technical writing skills Degrees/Certifications (There are over 200 technical certifications available) Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a major in Computer Informatin Systems (CIS) Certificate in Computer Information Systems (CIS) Master of Science in Accounting and Information Technology (MsAIT) Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS - What can I do with this degree? Page 1 of 6
Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) Certified Information Security (CISM) Symantec Certifications: Product (SPS), Technology Architect (STA), Security Engineer (SCSE), Security Practitioner (SCSP) Master of Network Science (MNS) Sun Certified Java Developer Certified Network Expert (CNX) IBM Certified AS/400 Professional System Administrator Certifications in: Apple OSX or Linux Microsoft's MCSE, MCSA, and MCP, Cisco's CCNA and CCDA, AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION Fraud Detection Forensic Auditing Systems Analysis/Design Programming e-commerce Database Design/Administration Network Administration Computer Systems Administration Software Engineering Chief technology officers (CTOs) Evaluate the newest and most innovative technologies and determine how these can help their organizations. The chief technology officer often reports to the organization s chief information officer, manages and plans technical standards, and tends to the daily information technology issues of the firm. Because of the rapid pace of technological change, chief technology officers must constantly be on the lookout for developments that could benefit their organizations. Once a useful tool has been identified, the CTO must determine an implementation strategy and sell that strategy to management. Management information systems (MIS) directors or information technology (IT) directors Manage computing resources for their organizations. They often work under the chief information officer and plan and direct the work of subordinate information technology employees. These managers ensure the availability, continuity, and security of data and information technology services in their organizations. In this capacity, they oversee a variety of user services such as an organization s help desk, which employees can call with questions or problems. MIS directors also may make hardware and software upgrade recommendations based on their experience with an organization s technology. Project managers Develop requirements, budgets, and schedules for their firms information technology projects. They coordinate such projects from development through implementation, working with internal and external clients, vendors, consultants, and computer specialists. These managers are increasingly involved in projects that upgrade the information security of an organization. COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS - What can I do with this degree? Page 2 of 6
CAREER PATHS (Some of the occupations outlined in this brochure may require additional education or training) Sample Job Titles Chief Information Officer Chief Technology Officer Director of Systems Development Director of E- Commerce Chief Security Officer Internet Technology Strategist Director of IT Operations Product Information Security Application Development Database Data Warehousing Internet/Intranet E-Commerce IT Communications Computer Operations Network Help Desk/ Technical Support Computer Information Systems Staff Senior Systems Information Security Technology/ Business Systems Database Architect Database Administrator Database Developer Database s Network Architect Network Engineer Systems Administrator Network Administrator Systems Architect Project Leader Software Engineer Messaging/E- Mail/Groupware Quality Assurance E-Commerce Computer Support s Project Leader Software Engineer Messaging/E- Mail/Groupware Quality Assurance E-Commerce Systems Architect Project Leader Software Engineer Messaging/E- Mail/Groupware Quality Assurance Consultant Computer Support Computer Training Database Engineer Data Communications Data Security Operations Operations MIS Director/ Logistics Knowledge Internet Recruiter Information Center COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS - What can I do with this degree? Page 3 of 6
End-User Support EDP Director Decision/ Management Scientist Operations Researcher Production Programmer/ Program Director Records and Information /Administra tor/ Systems Systems Supervisor Teacher/Trainer Technical/ Trainer Technical Director/ Technical Support Web Developer Possible Work Settings Government agencies Colleges and universities Nonprofit organizations Software Automotive industry Aerospace Engineering Computer vendors Contract & temporary Employers Network access points Banks Insurance Consulting Firms Research institutions Software/hardware manufacturers Retail stores Manufacturers Research institutions Universities Chemical Industry Communication Computer Hardware & Software Consulting & Services Industry Computer & Data Processing Service Direct Marketing Media Transportation Travel Security Engineering Firms Financial Institutions Hospitals & Healthcare Facilities Industrial Machinery & Equipment Industry Insurance Public Utilities Securities & Exchange Commission Website Design Wholesale & Retail Any Company w/ large mainframe & microcomputers COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS - What can I do with this degree? Page 4 of 6
RESOURCES Texas State University-Student Organizations Alpha Kappa Psi http://www.texasstateakpsi.com/ American Marketing Association http://www.business.txstate.edu/ama/ama/index.html Beta Gamma Sigma http://bgs.mccoy.txstate.edu/ Hispanic Business Student Association http://www.business.txstate.edu/hbsa/ Professional Organizations Association of Information Technology Professionals www.aitp.org/index.jsp Institute for Operations Research & The Management Sciences www.informs.org Association for Women in Computing www.awc-hg.org Association of Independent Information Professionals www.aiip.org Institute for Operations Research & The Management Sciences www.informs.org American Association for History & Computing www.theaahc.org American Society for Cybernetics www.asc-cybernetics.org American Society for Information Science www.asis.org Association of Records s & Administrators, Inc. www.arma.org The Association for Computational Linguistics www.aclweb.org Association for Information Systems http://home.aisnet.org Information Resources Management Association www.irma-international.org Society for Information Management http://www.simnet.org Job Search http://www.cisjobs.com/ www.cai.com/career/cajobs.htm www.computerjobs.com www.nationjob.com/computers www.studenadvantage.com/ www.computerworld.com/cwi/careers www.hightechcareers.com www.hotjobs.com www.selectjobs.com www.techweb.com/careers/careers/html www.brint.comjobs.htm Computers Dice http://www.dice.com/ Computerjobs.com http://www.computerjobs.com/homepage.aspx IT Careers http://www.itcareers.com/ High Technology Careers Magazine http://www.hightechcareer.com/ Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers http://www.ieee.org/ Internships http://www.collegecentral.com/ http://www.internjobs.com/ COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS - What can I do with this degree? Page 5 of 6
http://www.internweb.com/ http://www.thejobresource.com/ http://www.bigapplehead.com/ http://www.getthatgig.com/ http://www.internships.com/ http://www.dynamy.org/ http://www.princetonreview.com/ http://internships.wetfeet.com/ Career Library Resources Occupational Outlook Handbook DISCOVER O*NET Ferguson s Careers in Focus: Career Opportunities in Computers and Cyberspace 100 Jobs in Technology by MacMillan Information for this handout compiled from: EduChoices Computer Information Systems Degree Summary Bachelor Degree info; Worldwidelearn website Guide to College Majors in Information Systems ; Bureau of Labor Statistics; Georgia State University Careers Available to Computer Information Systems Majors ; Texas State Career Services website What Can I Do With This Major ; Florida State University Career Center website Management Information Systems (MIS) COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS - What can I do with this degree? Page 6 of 6