Management Information Systems (MIS), from a theoretical standpoint, refers to the study of people, technology, organizations, and the relationships between them, while the applied approach refers to the skills needed to run the systems businesses use to manage their operations – an excellent precursor for a career in Systems. MIS majors study how organizations of all kinds can use these systems and the data they generate to make better decisions – a field that overlaps with computer science and IT, but is unique in its focus on how people interact with these systems.
Today, with more organizations using enterprise apps to run their business, MIS majors are in high demand. The market for Computer and Information Systems Managers is expected to grow 11% between 2018-2028, much faster than the average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median pay also boasts around $69 per hour or $143,000 per year.
But MIS majors aren’t confined to careers in IS. With this degree, students learn a range of transferrable skills, including computer programming, analytical and problem solving, IT business strategy, social media and more. Here are a few careers MIS majors can pursue based on their educational training:
1. Computer Systems Administrator
These professionals manage the day-to-day operations of an organization’s computer and network systems. They install, monitor, and organize wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), intranets, and other data communication processes. They also help businesses run more smoothly and effectively.
The market for this particular career is expected to grow 5% between 2018-2028, with a median pay of $39 per hour or $82,000 per year.
2. Database Administrator
These professionals use specialized software to store, protect, and organize data. They manage all aspects of data administration, including database design, security and troubleshooting. MIS graduates, with their in-depth understanding of data systems and business operations, perform well in this role.
This field is expected to grow 9% between 2018-2028, faster than average, with a median pay of $43 per hour or $90,000 per year.
3. Information Security Analyst
By providing reviews and analyses of an organization’s various IT infrastructures, information security analysts protect their organizations from security threats, playing a pivotal role in business. Candidates should possess a solid understanding of business, as well as how to design, implement, analyze, and maintain IT systems, which make MIS majors a perfect fit.
This market is expected to grow 32%, much faster than average, between 2018-2028, with a median pay of $47 per hour or $98,000 per year.
4. App Developer
MIS majors receive training in networking and software development, honing their computer programming skills along the way. If they excel in these areas, they may have an opportunity to pursue a career in app development. In this role, they’ll work with graphic artists, data scientists, and other developers to create apps of all kinds. As a hybrid creative-analytical role, this may be a perfect fit for MIS majors.
As one of the most in-demand jobs in tech – for every 1 million total job postings, there’s 437.5 for an app developer – the role has a median pay of $104,000 per year.
5. Librarian
This is probably not what first comes to mind when you think of management information systems, but as technology is advancing, librarians are becoming more tech-savvy as books are no longer the sole offerings available. To succeed at this job, they need to interact with a wide range of information systems, including digital archives, ebooks, research databases, and more. With skills in management and technology, MIS majors are ideal candidates for this role.
This field is expected to grow 6%, as fast as average, between 2018-2028, with a median pay of $28 per hour or $59,000 per year.
6. IT Manager
With knowledge of both the business and IT side of an organization, this professional will manage diverse teams of programmers, developers, computer systems analysts, and others. With their support, the IT Manager’s goal is to keep their firm’s IT systems running as smoothly and securely as possible.
This field is expected to grow 11% between 2018-2028, with a median pay of $69 per hour or $143,000 per year.
7. Data Scientist
Most MIS programs offer at least one course in data science for business. For students who wish to pursue it as a career, they can help businesses collect rich customer data, then clean, organize, store, and analyze it. By presenting their findings in a compelling way, they can drive organizations of all kinds to make more strategic, informed decisions.
This field is expected to grow 16% between 2018-2028, with a median pay of $57 per hour or $118,000 per year.
8. Software Engineer
Software engineers use their coding and programming skills to design, test, and improve software products for everything ranging from computer games to network control systems. For MIS majors who love to invent and appreciate new tech, this career can be an exciting choice and intellectually challenging.
This market is expected to grow 21%, much faster than average, between 2018-2028, with a median pay of $51 per hour or $106,000 per year.
