What Is Computer Information Management?
Do you wonder where all the information stored on a computer is kept and are interested in meeting the technological needs of a business? If so, read on to learn more about your options in computer information management, including careers in database administration, computer systems analysis and management.
Career Description
Computer and information system managers, database administrators and computer systems analysts utilize computer information management. It refers overseeing the computer storage equipment, networks and software used by a company to store information, including employee records, accounts and marketing materials. Computer information management is also used in the technical aspects of business, such as network security, Internet operations and data storage.
Important Information About These Occupations
| Professional certification | May be beneficial for database administrators |
| Key Skills | Analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, detail oriented, logical thinking |
| Work Environment | Computer systems design, government, finance, insurance, information |
| Similar Occupations | Computer Programmer, Computer Hardware Engineer, Information Security Analyst |
Database Administrators
In this position, you determine the needs of the users involved with the database system. You then create a new system, while integrating the old data. Your job may also include troubleshooting and performance system maintenance for any issues or updates associated with the new database. Other duties may include backing up and restoring data, managing user permissions and ensuring data security. You could choose to specialize in either system or application databases.
Computer System Analyst
If you're interested in using information technology tools to help a business achieve their goals, then you may consider becoming a computer system analyst. You will use computer information management to oversee, design and create new computer systems for an organization along with using the existing company resources. Other duties may include training users, performing tests and making flowcharts. Some specialized careers you could pursue include systems designer, software quality assurance analyst and programmer analyst.
Computer and Information System Manager
Almost all computer related careers report to a computer and information system manager. In this career, you would work under a chief information officer and help choose the technological path for an organization. You will be in charge of administrating and implementing technology used to help businesses efficiently complete computer-related tasks or retrieving any information stored on the database. There are many different management roles you could pursue. Some of these include information technology security manager, chief technology officer, information technology director and chief information officer.
Education
Computer information management positions generally require a bachelor's degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), common majors for these careers include computer programming, computer engineering, computer science and management information systems (www.bls.gov). You may consider a master's degree program if you're interested in advanced or more technical positions, such as the Master of Science (M.S.) in Computer and Information Systems or Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Information Systems.
Work Experience
Depending on the information management career you choose, you may need to have work experience. According to the BLS, computer and information systems managers may need anywhere from a few years of experience to more than 15 years of experience. Less experience is generally needed for lower-level management roles than for chief executive positions. Database administrators usually need less than five years of experience in role related to databases. On the other hand, computer systems analysts generally do not need work previous experience.
Salary Information and Job Outlook
The BLS reported that computer and information systems managers earned a median salary of $159,010 in May 2021. The BLS also noted in the same year that computer systems analysts earned a median income of $99,270, while database administrators earned a median wage of $96,710. The BLS predicted that computer and information systems managers would see a 16% employment growth from 2021 to 2031, while growth for database administrators and computer systems analysts over the same period would be 8% and 9%, respectively.