The demand for Management Information Systems experts has been growing at a rapid pace in recent years. According to certain studies, technology professionals are twice as likely to stay employed than workers in any other field, making pursuing a degree in MIS a potentially lucrative choice. With this in mind, the skills and experiences students learn in an MIS degree program provide them with the ideal combination of business and technology-based knowledge, which appeals to a central need for most organizations today.
How will an MIS degree prepare students for business leadership?
Technology is permeating every aspect of society, making it imperative for information system professionals to rise to evolving and complex new challenges. As individuals with a passion for information systems are becoming invaluable in the job market today, it’s important for students to take this desire one step further and pursue an MIS degree that will provide them with the necessary business leadership skills they require to go even farther in their career.
MIS degrees bring business and technology together to reinforce students’ technical knowledge, while building up their communication, leadership and business skills. Students will learn about subjects ranging from information technology and business strategy to how to respond to organizations during an incident or system attack. This is because students should not just be able to fix problems or create new IT solutions, but be able to successfully interact with their company and key decision-makers. Here are a few ways an MIS degree prepares students for leadership roles:
1. The knowledge of how to communicate effectively
All the technology skills in the world cannot help IS professionals if they need to convey critical information to non-technical executives or colleagues and don’t have the know-how to do so. Many of the courses IS students will take will help them gain the vocabulary and tactics they should use in the event of an IS emergency or simply for their day-to-day interactions with important executives at their organization. After all, communication is essential to any field and this is no exception for MIS experts.
2. The desire to continually grow and improve
No smart employer wants to hire candidates who possess no desire to stay up-to-date with their field. They also do not want to bring on those who seem set in their ways and not open to new processes or ways of approaching situations. Students who pursue an MIS degree not only learn how to tackle difficult programs and how new trends impact their field, but understand how important it is to continually learn and grow in their industry. As technology is constantly changing it is important for IS professionals to possess a passion for consistent improvement and growth.
3. The ability to admit defeat and keep persisting
Sometimes solutions, systems or strategies just won’t work no matter how much effort was exerted during implementation or development. Successful, experienced IS professionals know when it is time to admit defeat and when it isn’t. The primary mark of a true IS leader is the ability to distinguish between these the two situations and identify the next steps with ease. It’s never easy to fall short, but a solid MIS program can help better prepare students to know that they shouldn’t give up after they encounter failure. Instead, these students will gain the necessary leadership skills that help them not only understand what they did wrong, but how they can improve on their actions in the future.
MIS curriculum offerings
Students deciding to pursue a degree in MIS should carefully consider the curriculum offerings at each school. While technology-heavy coursework, such as Business Programming, Database Management and Information Security Management are all essential, students should also take courses that will prepare them for business leadership in the future. Some of these courses may include Project Management, Basic Marketing and international Business Dynamics.
These management-based courses can help students gain the necessary leadership knowledge they need to do well in their field. After all, information systems isn’t just about working behind a desk and computer, it’s about working as a team to actively engage with an organization and meet their technology and business needs. Keeping this in mind, before students sign up for a school, they should ensure the program offers classes that will specifically prepare them for business leadership.
Is pursuing a degree at UAB right for you?
Working toward an information systems degree has never been more easy and convenient, as both a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems can be earned entirely online. This 100 percent online guarantee at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Collat School of Business allows you to gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in your field, without having to move or sacrifice your current income.
Continuing your education in the MIS field can help you transition into various roles and potentially lead to a salary bump. It’s essential to choose a program that challenges you and gives you the tools to succeed in a technological environment. In today’s climate, having both business and technological backgrounds can help give you a much-needed edge over your competition. MIS programs are ideal for seasoned IT professionals, aspiring tech experts or those coming from unrelated fields or work backgrounds.
If you truly want to combine your dual passions for business and technology, an online degree in Information Systems may be right for you. You will learn about database management systems, information systems and information security management, which can help you, develop a stack that can translate into a new job or new company. To learn more, reach out to an enrollment advisor today.
Recommended Readings:
Sources:
TechTarget, IT leadership (information technology leadership)
Educause, Leadership and Management
Forbes, Must-Have Skills For IT Leaders