If you are studying information system management or soon to graduate in this field, you are making the right decision. Even with the global financial crisis, the future continues to look bright for those in the information technology areas and there are many job opportunities for people who can manage information systems. Many of you may ask what kind of jobs that you can do with a degree in Information Systems Management (ISM), the answer is you can work in any businesses, any fields that have information systems. From government systems, banks, financial companies to manufacturing companies and private companies as they all need to use information systems.
If you work for company that develops software, you will be working with software engineers, software developers as their project managers. If you work for company that uses information technology to improve its service, you will be working with users and customers as their service managers. If you work for government, you will be working as manager in charge of information systems operation. If you work for company that specializes in outsourcing, you will be working as business managers that work with customers to understand their needs and negotiates contracts for your company. If you work for small company that sell software, you will work as assistant to the owner to develop marketing strategy. The interesting thing about information system management is that its graduates can work in so many areas, so many places because information technology is a part of almost every industry.
As new graduates, many of you may start as Information Technology Analyst. This job requires the skill to manage the operation of information technology systems, ensuring its usage as efficiently as possible. As the analyst, you anticipates problems and takes preventative action so they will not occur during operations. Typical problems could be performance, availability, capacity, security or risks. You may direct people who operates the systems to process data according to operating instructions. You may set controls of the systems to run particular jobs according to the agreement with customers. You may direct the installation of equipments such as servers, tape drives and printers for normal operation. You may monitor computer system operation to detect faulty outputs or machine stoppage. You will notify senior management of any error or equipment failure and review schedule for maintenance. You may assist users when they encounter problems by document, classify, catalog problems so you may maintain the systems accordingly.
After gaining many years of experiences, you will move up to director or middle level management positions. This job require you to coordinate information services to users and customers, including managing systems design, programming, installation, and operation. You will work with customers to determine their needs and manage your information technology services to achieve desired results through the use of proper contracts, and efficient decision making. You will coordinate, collaborate with suppliers for the implementation of certain technologies and manage the installation and operation of information systems for the company.
After years of experiences, you may move up to the position of Chief Information officer (CIO), this is the highest level in information systems where you work with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to set the strategic objectives for the company. You must ensure that information technology will enable the company to achieve profits, growth, or other business goals. You will identify and communicate the strategic objectives and determines specific actions for your managers. You will review and evaluate all projects based on customer’s requirements and priorities. You also need to keeps current on new technology, and plans for future upgrades and organizational changes.
According to several government studies, in the next five to ten years the career outlook for information system management is excellent. Because global competition, many companies are trying to automate their business as quickly as possible using information technology and they need people with knowledge and skills to manage their systems. Information Systems Management is projected to be one of the occupations that grow fastest in the first decade of the 21st century. All this growth and demand leads to improving salaries as well. In the U.S starting salaries for Information system manager ranged from $75,000 to $110,000 and Middle level manager would start from $150,000 to $220,000 and most Chief Information Officer make between $250,000 to $450,000.
Prof John Vu
Carnegie Mellon University
Original source: http://www.segvn.org/forum/mvnforum/viewthread_thread,649
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