CIS major?

[keezel]

It's not quite Comp Sci but not quite Business - it's square in the middle. What kind of job does a person with a CIS major generally end up with? The market is flooded with CS majors *and* Business majors so is it correct to assume that someone with a CIS major will have just as much competition in the job market as either of the two extremes?

[Guus]

CIS? Computer Isnotbusiness Science?

[Negative]

I'm going for a BIS right now (just started), and from what I understand they're not at all "competitive". I didn't pick CIS because of the high amount of programming courses (and I don't like programming ). Here are, according to Devry, the career opportunities for both:

Computer Information Systems

Systems analysis and design
Applications software support and maintenance
Applications software consulting
Web application development
Database design
Database programming
Web programming
Business applications programming
Technical and application support
Computer-related sales and marketing support
Technical documentation
Small business entrepreneurship and management

Business Information Systems

Database applications
PC hardware and software assistance and training
Internet coordination
Business systems analysis
E-commerce-based applications

I'm sure Melissa will reply... she does that stuff for a living.

[KorpDeath]

CIS (computer information systems)is a good degree. It's a fairly round mix of tech and business. Depending on your experience you could be manager/director of IT dept. or up. This is the degree I'm probably going to get. I'm just looking for a local private school that has an accelerated program. I'd rather spend 14-15 months getting the degree than 2 or more years.

good luck.

[mathgirl32]

Originally posted here by keezel
It's not quite Comp Sci but not quite Business - it's square in the middle. What kind of job does a person with a CIS major generally end up with? The market is flooded with CS majors *and* Business majors so is it correct to assume that someone with a CIS major will have just as much competition in the job market as either of the two extremes?

Keezel, what school are you going to?

If you are worried about the job climate for CIS take a look at this article I received the other day: IT Staffing Update from CIO Research Reports.

Particularly Encouraging are these results:

Survey Questions


What technical skills are most in-demand in your IT organization currently? (Check all that apply.)

Application development 58%
Database management 43%
Help desk/user support 32%
Open source development 11%
Networking 35%
Project management 57%
Security 42%
Website development 31%
Web services 23%
Other 11%


Is your IT department actively hiring staff with these technical skills:

Not answered 7%
Yes, Hiring currently 40%
Will hire within 3 months 10%
Will hire in 3 to 6 months 5%
Will hire in 6 to 12 months 12%
Will hire in 12 to 18 months 7%
Do not know 20%


What are your most in-demand non-technical skills? (Check all that apply.)

Analytical skills 60%
Business skills (ability to view/run IT as a business) 59%
Specific business/business process knowledge/company knowledge 44%
Communication skills 62%
Fiscal knowledge/responsibility 16%
Global experience 10%
HR/interpersonal skills/management experience 22%
Industry knowledge 23%
Project management 63%
Risk management 18%
Team building 33%
Vendor management/procurement 16%
Other 1%


Is your IT department actively hiring staff with these non-technical skills:

Not answered 9%
Yes, Hiring currently 28%
Will hire within 3 months 7%
Will hire in 3 to 6 months 5%
Will hire in 6 to 12 months 7%
Will hire in 12 to 18 months 10%
Do not know 34%

[keezel]

I go to Georgia State. It's an excellent school and very economical so it fits me right now. I'm encouraged to see that there are companies looking for people into security b/c that's what I'm most familiar and comfortable with. My biggest challenge now is keeping my GPA up b/c I'm in nothing but wash-out courses at the moment and I have to keep above a 3.0 for scholarships *and* to be allowed to enroll in upper level CIS courses. But it's encouraging to see that I can actually get a job when I graduate!

[mathgirl32]

Yes, it is good to know. In fact, in the Dallas area alone, software engineering jobs are expected to increase 112% during the next 8 years.

Is a degree in CIS, computer science, etc., worth your time and money? Definitely.