CIS Careers

Careers Available to Computer
Information Systems Majors

Corporate careers for majors in Computer Information Systems
continue to be strong and varied. The jobs and salaries reach
far beyond programming. Entrepreneurs will also emerge through
many similar roles over time in their own companies. These are
careers specific to information systems majors. Like other
business majors, there many additional opportunities in general
management leading to other executive positions up to, and
including, Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 

Information Systems Managers

This is a primary career field for CIS
majors in a business school: planning, directing, or coordinating
information systems, systems analysis, electronic data processing, and
computer system development.

Senior Management Positions

Middle Management Positions

Computer Information Systems Staff

These are the entry-level and career path positions leading to information
systems management positions for CIS majors. Computer Information Systems,
Computer Science, and Information Technology majors compete for many of these
positions, but the preparation is different. CIS focuses on business
application and has stronger business knowledge with an aim to promote rapidly
from these staff areas into management positions. CS and IT aim more for the
advanced staff positions. CS provides more strength in computer machinery,
networks and systems software, IT balances CS with its broad application areas.

Computer Systems Analysts

Analyze science, engineering, business, and all other data processing problems
for application to electronic data processing systems. Analyze user
requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or improve existing systems
and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and scheduling limitations.
May analyze or recommend commercially available software.

Database Administrators

Coordinate changes to computer databases, test and implement the database
applying knowledge of database management systems. May plan, coordinate, and
implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Install, configure, and support an organization’s local area network (LAN), wide
area network (WAN), and Internet system or a segment of a network system.
Maintain network hardware and software. Monitor network to ensure network
availability to all system users and perform necessary maintenance to support
network availability. May supervise other network support and client server
specialists and plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures.

Computer Software Engineers, Applications

Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or
specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software
solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of
optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an
application area, working individually or coordinating database development as
part of a team.

Computer Support Specialists

Provide technical assistance to computer system users. Answer questions or
resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone or from remote
location. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and
software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail,
and operating systems.

Computer Programmers

Convert project specifications and statements of problems and
procedures to detailed logical flow charts for coding into computer language.
Develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific
documents, data, and information. May program web sites.

*Compensation is the total of average salary plus average bonus
according to a survey conducted in May-July 2004, as reported in Computerworld
38 (4) pp. 49-58, October 25, 2004.

Graph of Computer Occupations
Unemployment-PDF format  

Richard Baskerville


Professor, Computer Information Systems


Robinson College of Business

Georgia State University

Computer Information Systems Department

35 Broad Street | Robinson College of
Business | 9th Floor | Atlanta | Georgia
30302

 404
– 413 – 7360

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