Computer Information Systems Jobs
Find out about the types of jobs you could pursue in computer information systems. Read on to learn more about career options along with job growth and salary information.
What Careers Are Available As a Computer Information System Professional?
An education in computer information systems opens many doors to careers in next generation technology. Web developers will work for companies or clients building innovative and user friendly web sites. Computer programmers understand and write computer code for different users that might include computer games, video animation or technology vendors. Finally, computer and information system managers take charge of an organization's computer needs. They study, design and oversee the installation of their information technology.
Computer information systems professionals are skilled at different aspects of technology and management, depending on their chosen area of expertise. Within this field are several job options, including web developer, computer programmer and computer and information systems manager. Take a look at the following chart for an overview of how to enter this field.
| Web Developer | Computer Programmer | Computer and Information Systems Manager | |
| Degree Required | Associate's degree | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Education Field of Study | Web design | Computer science | Computer- or information-related |
| Key Responsibilities | Design websites; analyze user needs; work with graphics to determine website layout | Create codes, forms and script; debug programs; update existing programs | Plan company computer-related activities; ensure company network and document security; assess new project costs |
| Job Growth (2020-2030) | 13%* | -10%* | 11%* |
| Median Salary (2020) | $77,200* | $89,190 * | $151,150* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What Do Computer Information Systems Professionals Do?
Computer information systems is a relatively new professional field that combines business and computer science. Computer information systems professionals, depending upon their chosen area of expertise, are skilled at different aspects of technology and management. Website development, code writing, computer programming and even computer forensics are all career possibilities you might consider in this field. There is a demand for computer information systems professionals in a wide variety of capacities and in many different industries.
What Education Do I Need?
If you want to enter the field of computer information systems, you will typically need to attain a bachelor's degree in computer information systems or a related field first. If you have your high school diploma or a GED, there are a number of 4-year bachelor's degree programs available. Computer information systems is an interdisciplinary academic discipline often offered by schools of business.
A typical bachelor's degree program in computer information systems combines coursework with hands-on experience in the field. A few typical classes you may expect are information systems management, network administration, business analysis, programming applications and software development. Some programs will also enable you to choose your own specialization based upon what elective courses you take.
What Skills Do I Need?
There is a plethora of computer information jobs available in a variety of industries. For this reason, the skill sets you must have are relative to your chosen career path. For example, if you choose to become a video game developer, the skills you must acquire differ greatly from a database programmer. However, there is a basic knowledge of both computer science and business that must be attained and built upon in either case. In addition to an understanding of computer programming, hardware and software, computer information systems professionals must be prepared to manage groups, work with a team and address the concerns of consumers.
What Can I Expect to Make?
According to Payscale.com in January 2022, most professionals holding a bachelor's degree in computer information systems made salaries averaging $79,000 a year. This included IT directors, senior software engineers and developers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) stated that computer and information system manager jobs would see an 11% increase between 2020 and 2030. The BLS also stated that salaries varied widely depending upon your chosen specialty and how much responsibility you carry on the job. As of May 2020, the median annual wage of computer and information system managers was $151,150.
What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?
Related careers for computer information systems professionals show that technology is wide open. With a bachelor's degree to start you can enter any of the following fields: graphic designer, computer system analyst, or computer hardware engineer. Graphic designers need some artistic background to create pages, layouts, advertisements or pamphlets that sell, inspire or inform. Computer system analysts study current information setups and give advice on what they may need to update or replace that system to improve efficiency. Finally, hardware engineers spend their hours studying ways to improve technology products such as servers, routers or circuit boards.