Information Systems

This is a somewhat difficult question to answer because there is overlap between these fields of study, and their boundaries change over time with changes in technologies. In addition, each university emphasizes different aspects within each major. For example, Harding's IS adds computer network classes because of the increasingly important role they play in business today. The IS major also has some application development though not as much as Computer Science. Both are considered STEM programs.

The IS focus is not programming, although we have some graduates who do that, nor is it networking, although some graduates do that. IS professionals roles usually involve solving business problems or exploiting business opportunities using information technology (IT). For businesses today (eBay & Walmart, for example), this is extremely important. This means that our graduates need to know something about both business and IT. The technology knowledge component in IS is like what a carpenter would need to know about a hammer. The carpenter doesn't build hammers, but it's important to understand how they work when driving nails.

Let's dispense with this myth once and for all. It's true that the trend toward offshore outsourcing has caused a reduction in the number of computer programmers needed. Programming is a relatively straightforward conversion of system requirements into specific programs, and anybody who's reasonably smart and trained can do it. With the global programming market being influenced by the fact that requirements can be digitized (converted to ones and zeros) and shipped over the internet to other countries (with lower wages), the ability for programmers in high-wage countries to keep demanding this level of pay will be reduced. That said, who do you think creates the specifications and requirements that are being shipped offshore to be converted to programs? IS professionals are in higher demand as organizations seek to design solutions of best fit for their organization; indeed, some Indian companies realize the importance of having analysts here in the US to develop the solution specifications and are now hiring IS professionals in the US. Further, there are coordination and other hidden costs to offshoring arrangements; some companies don't want the hassle. In addition the falling value of the US dollar has made the costs of offshore out sourcing higher. Bottom line: if you want a job that works with business and technology and don't want to worry so much about offshoring, IS is a great choice.

There is outsourcing within the US but that just means that you may work for the outsourcing company rather than the merchant such as Walmart, Walgreens, Lockheed Martin, etc. The number of IT jobs within the US stay the same in this scenario.

The integrative nature of IS means that it goes really well with a lot of majors. These include accounting, finance, management, marketing, psychology and others. We actively work to make our major as amenable to good combinations as possible.

As to minors, we realize that IS isn't for everybody. For example, if you are a really good marketing or accounting person, you should focus on being a really good marketing or accounting person. Life's too short to be in something you don't enjoy. This being said, an IS minor is a great way to make yourself more competitive in the things at which you want to be best. In marketing, a fast growing area involves marketing intelligence, which is heavily database driven. In accounting, since most of the neat systems that accountants design are implemented by IS professionals, to be able to audit the transactions (important with Sarbanes-Oxley laws) you need to get the technology. As a manager, you need to be able to gather and interpret business operations and business intelligence data provided by information systems.

1. Careers and Internships

IS graduates enjoy a diverse and interesting range of careers afforded by the broad base and diverse IS curriculum.

A number of companies recruit IS students for internships on a regular basis. Our greatest supporters include Acxiom and PriceWaterhouse Coopers. IS students have also found internships at Lockheed Martin, at major banks, Accenture, KPMG, small businesses and within the health care industry. See Careers for more details.

2. Placement/Demand

Harding IS graduates (actively seeking employment) have a 100% employment rate within 3 months of graduation with most students having received job offers before graduation. According to the US. Bureau of Labor Statistics, career opportunities for IS majors are expanding rapidly, and “employment of computer and information systems managers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2019.”

3. Top Salaries

It is difficult to estimate an average salary as it dependent upon the job type, the geographical location and the quality of the graduate. Most universities claim that their IS graduates receive higher salaries than any other business majors. Yearly salaries range from $40,000 - $70,000, not including bonuses.

4. Travel Opportunities

IT is a global industry and as such differs very little from country to country (unlike accounting, law, teaching, medical qualifications, etc). Many countries suffer the same shortage of IT workers that the US does and are happy to welcome qualified foreign workers. IT graduates from accredited US universities are recognized worldwide.

While internships may be experienced in a wide variety of areas and organizations Harding has a special relationship with two companies, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Cook Systems International.

PricewaterhouseCoopers has actively recruited MIS students in the past for summer internships which have led to full time employment in the IT Auditing field. Students have received excellent compensation as well as excellent training and support. As of Fall '09, PwC will be recruiting Harding MIS students for a new fall internship program.

A career in IT auditing is a hands-on people driven experience that includes frequent client-facing interactions, travel to client locations, advanced training in technical platforms, and rewarding compensation and benefits. Numerous Harding alumni enjoy careers in this field in various cities across the U.S.

Students often seem ask what does an IT auditor do, or what does a systems administrator do. Below are some broad job category descriptions. Graduates typically enter as assistants in these fields and progress to the full level of responsibility described within a few months or years depending on the field.

IT Auditing: A career in IT auditing blends technology skills with business analysis to identify and address risks in the largest companies in the world. IT auditors work almost entirely in the offices of their clients, meeting with IT management and learning about key business processes. By leveraging client relationships, IT auditors plan and execute validation procedures around companies' IT controls in a number of domains including IT security, application change management, and backup/recovery procedures. The nature of IT audit work is mixed between working on behalf of investors as external auditors, and working on behalf of the client in a consulting or internal audit type role. Whatever the job may be, every day brings a new challenge and a chance to learn new technical and soft skills.

Learn about being a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) here.

Computer/Business/Systems Analyst/Consultant: A systems/business analyst designs new IT solutions to improve business efficiency and productivity. Working closely with the client, they examine existing business models and the flows of data in the business. They discuss their findings with the client, and then design an appropriate improved IT solution. They draw up and cost specifications and produce outline designs of new IT systems, specifying the data, files and logical operations the system will perform, and the way data will be viewed by the user. They present their design to the client and, once approved, they work closely with the client team to implement the solution.

Learn more about Computer Systems Analysts here.

Network/Systems/LAN Administrator/Manager, Information Technology Specialist: 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.

Learn more about Network and Computer Systems Administrators here.

Database Administrator/Analyst/Coordinator: Compute databases, test and implement the database applying knowledge of database management systems. May plan, coordinate and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

Learn more about Database Administrators and Architects here.

Desktop/Help Desk Support, IT specialist: 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.

Learn more about Computer Support Specialists here.