Benefits of Majoring in Information Systems

More and more organizations are coming to rely heavily on digital systems for collecting, storing, analyzing and applying data — and more and more organizations are suffering from systems that are poorly built or improperly maintained. There is a high demand for skilled professionals in information systems, so if you are looking to commit yourself to a high-growth field that merges tech and business, you might consider pursuing a business information systems degree.

Here’s what a degree program in information systems might look like and what benefits you can expect from this valuable credential.

Overview of BIS Degree Programs

A BIS degree is a bachelor’s degree, which means it requires four years of study at an accredited university to obtain. Most universities house their BIS degree programs in their business schools, which allows BIS students to familiarize themselves with organizational structures and develop a network of business contacts, though most BIS programs will involve a large number of courses from colleges associated with science, engineering and technology.

Business information systems are computer and technology tools that businesses use to manage themselves with efficiency and effectiveness. BIS professionals work directly with hardware, software, data, procedures and people to build new systems or improve existing ones and allow organizations to achieve their goals. Unlike many business degrees, BIS is not purely theoretical; it provides practical knowledge and skill. Thus, if you are looking for a high-growth career that allows you to be hands-on in creating and designing using technology, you should seriously consider BIS.

Useful Skills From BIS Programs

The details of a BIS degree will vary from university to university, but most are interested in equipping students with fundamental technology knowledge and skill, like programming, networking and IT governance, as well as more specialized knowledge and skill in information systems and business structures. Many BIS programs require a well-rounded collection of credit-hours from both fields of business and technology, so while pursuing your degree, you might be enrolled in any of the following courses:

• Marketing
• System administration
• Accounting
• Database management
• Project management
• Programming
• Business statistics
• IT networking
• Enterprise strategy

For the most part, BIS programs focus on imparting hard skills associated with business and technology, as many of the duties of BIS professionals rely heavily on such abilities. However, as a BIS student, you should also strive to build your soft skills, which include communication, organization and resourcefulness. Throughout your career, you will be part of a team of tech professionals working to support an organization, and soft skills will make it easier for you to function well as a team member. You might try taking extra classes to help improve your soft skills, but you can also practice them outside the classroom during and after your degree program.

BIS Career Opportunities

The field of BIS is growing, which means there should be plenty of opportunities for employment after graduation. Most BIS program graduates can transition almost effortlessly into any available roles within IT departments, but with specialized knowledge and skill in BIS, most grads will be able to start their career from more advanced IT positions that have more authority, greater responsibility and higher pay.

The most common job for BIS grads to pursue is that of information systems manager. This management role directs and controls all computer systems, which usually involves managing a team of IT or BIS professionals in the construction and maintenance of those systems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of information system management is growing much faster than the average for other occupations, which means there should be tens of thousands of available opportunities for BIS grads in the next decade. The median salary for information systems managers in the U.S. is $159,010, which is certainly a respectable wage for a professional with a bachelor’s degree.

Besides information system management, some other typical jobs for BIS degree-holders include:

• Actuarial analyst
• Business analyst
• Database administrator
• Information security analyst
• Network administrator

Individuals who have graduated from this course can also pursue a career in Cybersecurity. They can obtain a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and obtain certifications, such as the CISSP, which is one of the most highly sought-after certifications in the field of cybersecurity. Obtaining certification may be expensive, but a CISSP salary is among the highest-paying careers in the IT field. You can fill the growing demand for BIS workers once you earn a BIS degree and begin your career in this important field.