1. Management Information Systems
A Career Perspective

2. Management Information Systems
MIS Graduates …
Are considered Information Technology Professionals
Unique combination
Understanding of Business
Understanding of Information Technology
Able to combine these to gain competitive advantage for the organization
October 2002
Management Information Systems

3. Management Information Systems
MIS Graduates
Develop and maintain information systems as solutions to business problems
Work with other IT professionals in a team environment
Often serve team/project leadership roles
Come from a accredited business program (AACSB)
October 2002
Management Information Systems

4. MIS Courses Stress Real World
Students learn cutting-edge technologies and practice their understanding
Project assignments reflect actual work assignments
Teams often work with campus and community organizations to develop information systems
“My job is my MIS 420 course” – MIS graduate
October 2002
Management Information Systems

5. Management Information Systems
MIS Career Tracks
Based on solid feedback from industry via corporate advisory board
Employers expect MIS grads to have solid communication, analytical, and managerial skills
Generally pursue applied problem-solving
Prepare for future project leadership/managerial roles within the firm
October 2002
Management Information Systems

6. Entry Level MIS Career Tracks
Systems Analyst ~premier position for MIS
Investigates business processes: key is understanding the business needs
Determine user needs related to information-based problems
Output is a detailed set of system specifications for a new or improved system
Often works in team environment
October 2002
Management Information Systems

7. Entry Level MIS Career Tracks
Programmer
Write business computer programs according to specifications prepared by systems analyst
May work individually or in teams
Web development has become popular especially in e-commerce environment
Most companies plan to train the new hire in their programming environment
October 2002
Management Information Systems

8. Entry Level MIS Career Tracks
Programmer/Analyst
Combines systems analysis and programming
Serves first as systems analyst to determine needs
Then modifies programs as needed
Communication skills are crucial: must work with user base and with IT
This has been the most frequent 1st job area for ISU grads
October 2002
Management Information Systems

9. Entry Level MIS Career Tracks
Database Administrator
Responsible for designing, implementing, and maintain database systems
Establish policies and procedures for security, management, and maintenance
Works with end users and with IS programmers and system administrators
October 2002
Management Information Systems

10. Entry Level MIS Career Tracks
Network/LAN Administrator
Designs network architecture
Wires network ports
Installs and configures file/web servers
Maintains user names and passwords, permissions
Troubleshoots networking problems
October 2002
Management Information Systems

11. Entry Level MIS Career Tracks
Consultant/Business Analyst
Combines highest business understanding with technical expertise to solve problems
May work for a consulting company and be assigned to different client companies
Frequently serve as trainers, user support specialists, technical support specialists, or project group experts
October 2002
Management Information Systems

12. Management Information Systems
MIS Curriculum
Business Core (44 credit hours)
So: Economics I/II, Accounting I/II, Statistics I/II, BLaw
Jr/Sr: Management, Marketing, MIS, Finance, Operations, Business Report Writing
Sr: Business Strategy
Every business major takes same core
October 2002
Management Information Systems

13. MIS Major Curriculum (Present)
Required MIS Courses (21 hours)
310: COBOL I
376: Business Computer Systems (Project)
300: Systems Analysis (Project)
430: Data Communications/Networking (Project)
420: Database Management (Project)
476: Management of Information Systems
Additional communications course (215 or 305)
October 2002
Management Information Systems

14. MIS Major Curriculum (Present)
Electives (pick any 9 hours)
COBOL II (employers want same* language)
E-Commerce Programming (Project)
Business Web Development
Advanced Web Development
Managing LANs I (Windows 2000 Hands-on)
Decision Support Systems/Oracle (Project)
C++ Programming (CS 256 or MIS 355)
MIS Internship (MIS 339)
Accounting Systems (Acct 313)
October 2002
Management Information Systems

15. Management Information Systems
MIS Minor Curriculum
Required Courses (9 hours)
MIS 310: COBOL I
MIS 376: Business Computer Systems
MIS 300: Systems Analysis
Electives (pick 6 hours from MIS courses)
October 2002
Management Information Systems

16. MIS Curriculum (Proposed)
Business Core (44 hours)
MIS Required (18 hours)
Intro to Programming Concepts, Systems Analysis, COBOL I, Knowledge Management, Project Management, MIS Capstone
MIS Electives (3 or 6 hours)
Pick from existing list
We recommend that students take more electives
October 2002
Management Information Systems

17. Management Information Systems
MIS Facilities
School of Business Computer Labs
SB 403 Software Lab
SB 304 Server Lab (students build Windows 2000 servers)
SB 807 Production Servers (Windows NT, Windows 2000, Linux)
Microsoft Academic Alliance member: free latest systems software for staff/students
October 2002
Management Information Systems

18. Student Organizations - Key
MISA – Management Information Systems Association
Active membership with biweekly meetings
Guest speakers, field trips and tours
Networking opportunities, service learning, fun
October 2002
Management Information Systems

19. Student Organizations - Key
AIM – Alpha Iota Mu
National MIS honor society
Founded at ISU as the Alpha chapter
Selected based on academic record and character
October 2002
Management Information Systems

20. Corporate Advisory Board
More than a dozen companies to provide advice, sponsor internships, hire students, support the MIS program at ISU
Meets on campus twice a year
Most of the companies are our primary partners for recruiting: win-win-win!
October 2002
Management Information Systems

21. Management Information Systems
MIS Faculty
Dr. Jeff Harper – PhD Auburn; program coord.
Dr. Ayman Abuhamdieh – PhD Rutgers
Dr. Dennis Bialaszewski – PhD SUNY
Dr. Jim Buffington – PhD Nebraska
Dr. Joe Harder – PhD Southern Illinois
Dr. Billy Moates – PhD Alabama
Dr. Bruce McLaren – PhD Purdue; dept chair
Andy Cooper – MS
Mike Frame – MS
October 2002
Management Information Systems

22. Management Information Systems
For More Information …
School of Business Web Site
MIS Web Site
Program Coordinator: Jeff Harper
This file
October 2002
Management Information Systems