In the global information age, success for organizations requires the ability to manage, analyze, and use information effectively. To that end, the goal of the management information systems concentration is to teach future managers how to manage and utilize data and information technology to help both individuals and organizations perform more efficiently and effectively. This can lead the student in two career directions:
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To become a professional in the cross-functional information management, business analytics, and data quality and governance functions of a company or in an IT or data-enabled strategic business transformation initiative
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To accelerate and enhance a data-informed or data leadership career in organizations or another functional area such as finance, marketing, research and development, innovation, accounting, workforce management, strategic management, or acquisitions
Understanding how to get the right information in the right form and format to the right people at the right time is essential in today’s business world, especially when companies and the individuals that do this well are achieving significant competitive advantages. Students have the opportunity to explore new, cutting-edge approaches that allow them to use the powerful resource of information to its greatest advantage. These approaches often use analytical concepts such as information visualization, artificial intelligence, and data mining. The importance of information privacy and security is also emphasized. Students have the opportunity to develop technical and problem-solving skills that are in high demand by employers and to apply those skills through both classroom activities and co-ops focused on information management or business analytics.
Managers in the information management function need to interact frequently with other managers throughout an organization. Therefore, students are also encouraged to complete a dual concentration in information management and another area of business. Graduates of this program have a wide range of career paths that suit their particular interests. Professional options include business/systems/information analyst; database manager or designer; data architect or data strategist; information product designer/manager,; data quality manager; data governance manager; IT or data project manager; consultant; and IT or data specialist or strategist within other departments such as financial services, accounting, marketing, R&D, manufacturing, customer service, and risk management and compliance. Executive positions include chief data officer or chief information officer.
