what can i do with a master's in information systems

We can assume you are considering earning a Master’s in Information Systems because you embrace technology, enjoy mathematics and have a rapport with computers. You can reasonably expect to apply the theoretical and practical skills from a Master’s program to work in computers, information systems, and database management. Within the wide field, though, some very interesting applications of postgraduate skills could lead to fascinating career paths. 

 

The Predictable Positions: Systems, Right?

Let’s be honest; you become an information systems specialist to find possible career paths with the word “systems” in them. Several are high demand, high-pay jobs, with rosy outlooks as set out by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): 

  • Top Executive CIO SalaryChief Information Officer (CIO)—This executive position may be the capstone to a career that started with a Master’s Degree in Information Systems. The BLS found that top executives such as CIOs made median incomes (May, 2012) of $101,650. Job growth is expected to mirror the national average, at around 11 percent through 2022 according to the BLS. A CIO is responsible for the strategic planning that Information Technology (IT) departments carry out, all focused on achieving overall corporate goals (profits, efficiency, speed and accuracy and productivity, to name a few). 
  • Computer Systems Analyst—A company’s technology infrastructure needs experts to run it. A computer systems analyst studies data with an eye toward efficiently managing and storing it, then increasing a company’s profit by using data wisely. The BLS puts median pay (May, 2014) at $82,710 within a range of $50,780 to $122,980. The job outlook is bright indeed: 25 percent expected growth through 2022. 
  • Computer and Information Systems (CIS) Manager—A Master’s Degree in Information Systems is a must-have for this level of responsibility. The BLS notes that the May, 2014 median wage for this job was $127,640, with a predicted job growth rate of 15 percent through 2022. The job demands are great, in that a CIS Manager makes decisions affecting a company’s installation and execution of technology. 

The Spooks: Securing Security Positions

From Wall Street to Washington, information is a front line in economic and political battles. A Master’s Degree in Information Systems could open some very secure doors and put you in positions to take charge of financial data, surveillance records, firewalls, and [INFORMATION REDACTED] for private industry and the federal government: 

  • information security analyst salaryInformation Security Analyst—The BLS keeps track of the types of people who keep track of information. The information the BLS has on these stewards of security is that the median income in May, 2012 was $86,170, with a range from $49,960 to $135,600. The BLS predicts job growth in this sector of 37 percent through 2022, much faster than the national average. An Information Security Analyst, among other tasks, sets up organizational firewalls and safety measures, then attacks those same defenses to test them.
  • National Security Agency—The NSA [INFORMATION REDACTED], which means money is [INFORMATION REDACTED], so jobs with the NSA in Fort Meade, Maryland will [INFORMATION REDACTED]. Don’t worry; if they need you, they will find you. 

The Artists

Video game designers are not yet their own category at the BLS, probably because analysts at the BLS never play video games. Oh, come on, who are we kidding? Everybody plays video games, from little apps on smartphones to full immersion simulators to international networks of role players. With a Master’s Degree in Information Systems, the BLS does see career paths in the arts for you, as they reported back in 2011: 

  • Preproduction—Lead designer, content designer, level designer, game mechanic designer
  • Production—Lead programmer, AI programmer, graphics programmer, network programmer, physics programmer, tools programmer and user interface programmer
  • Postproduction—Sound designer, audio technician, studio executive, producer

Merging the logic and structure of computers with the artistry and creativity of traditional graphics arts, multimedia artists could find rewarding and fun work in television and online commercials, special effects for movies, animation studios, and music video production. With a Master’s Degree in Information Systems and a flair for art, the BLS notes multimedia artists in May, 2014 garnered a median salary of $63,630 within a range of $35,510 to $112,030. 

Earning a Master’s Degree in Information Systems

A Master’s Degree is often a challenge to pursue, given adults’ busy lives. The candidates for Master’s Degrees in Information Systems are often already Information Technology (IT) professionals and executives with strong—and demanding—careers. Finding time and mental focus to earn the degree is not easy, but some institutions make the path easier by providing a thorough education in as little as 15 months. 

Earning a Master’s Degree in Information Systems

A Master’s Degree is often a challenge to pursue, given adults’ busy lives. The candidates for Master’s Degrees in Information Systems are often already Information Technology (IT) professionals and executives with strong—and demanding—careers. Finding time and mental focus to earn the degree is not easy, but some institutions make the path easier by providing a thorough education in as little as 15 months. 

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