Computer Information Systems B.S.

[MBrown]

Does anyone else have this degree? If so what kind of jobs do you have? The reason I ask is because I am only 9 classes away from graduating and I feel as though I should have picked a different major. I wanted to do more software development type work but it seems jobs only look for people who have BS CS rather than CIS degrees. I have an AS in Electronic Engineering Technology but I am not sure how much that would help.

 

[Saint Nick]

I have a Bachelor's in Management Information Systems, pretty much the same thing huh? Anyways, here is my past few jobs.

May 2007 - December 2009: Internship. Repackaged and virtualized software with Altiris

March 2010 - March 2011: Internship. Maintaining a ColdFusion web application, added new features, fixed bugs, etc.

March 2011 - present: Internship transitioned into full-time employee. Help the IT department support enterprise applications. Develop reports, interfaces, other extra features to help people perform their jobs. Write programs in VB, Java, SAS, and some others in the future.

I think that I lucked out a bit, though. IMO, if you want a career in software development, you should get the appropriate degree. I don't see myself being a programmer forever.

 

[rasczak]

Think "sys admin"

 

[xaeniac]

Imo, welcome to the life of server administration. Now you have a bachelor's degree to get past HR. Don't let this degree slow you down to what you really want to do. If you want to software develop use your skills to get you that job, or better yet develop your own product. Remember you will not get rich working for someone else. There is always an exception to every rule. Congrats

 

[GT1999]

Nothing says you can't be a software dev. You just need the experience. Internships are the key and your real foot in the door.

 

[Exterous]

Thats the great thing about IT - experience generally counts more than a degree so you can still go into pretty much any field you want. Since the field is constantly changing potential employers (the smart ones anyway) are looking for people who can demonstrate adaptability, problem solving and critical thinking skills more than if your degree is the right one

The downside is that it can be tough to get the experience.

 

[Oyeve]

I have a CS and have been an engineer and manager and consultant and helpdesk and the "IT guy. I am currently a manager. Also, my degree is from 1987 and my work experience in the last 25 years kinda trumps many degrees. Hell, I just got a new managerial job with no background check at all. The interviews are much tougher as they actually test you and ask real life scenario questions. Degrees are more useful today than it was in my day.

 

[Red Storm]

Thats the great thing about IT - experience generally counts more than a degree so you can still go into pretty much any field you want. Since the field is constantly changing potential employers (the smart ones anyway) are looking for people who can demonstrate adaptability, problem solving and critical thinking skills more than if your degree is the right one

The downside is that it can be tough to get the experience.

This is the truth.

 

[BlueMeanie]

I have had a lot of luck with this degree in finding jobs at smaller places with not much IT staff. I end up doing pretty much all things IT from desktop support to system administration to development.

I really enjoy not being pigeon holed into one specification.

 

[Oyeve]

I have had a lot of luck with this degree in finding jobs at smaller places with not much IT staff. I end up doing pretty much all things IT from desktop support to system administration to development.

I really enjoy not being pigeon holed into one specification.

Yeah, my first "Major" job was a Bertelsmann music group where I was the "Novell Engineer" for about 5 years. The $$$ was fantastic but being stuck in Novell really sucked. Since then I have done literally everything in the IT realm.

 

[Alienwho]

I have this degree (Masters). I have never had a problem finding a job. I make very good money. I've done everything from software developer, sysadmin, IT manager, network/information security, data analytics etc. Currently working as "Data Warehouse Manager".

 

[Stuxnet]

You're over thinking this. My degree is in Mathematics and no one has ever thought twice about it. If you have a four year degree in a rigorous field, breaking into software development will be of little difficulty. Best thing you can do at this age is build a portfolio of projects that contain sample code you can bring to interviews. Be able to intelligently discuss the SDLC, object oriented programming princples, and have firsthand knowledge of today's hot toolsets.

 

[joutlaw]

I have my undergrad as BSBA with a MIS emphasis and went back to school while working to get my MBA with a MIS concentration.

I have been a QA tester, .net developer, and now a system's admin. I will say not everyone who get these degrees will have such a wide range. I've known a few with identical backgrounds who didn't know what a UNC path was.

 

[Jeffg010]

I have a 2 year CIS. I got it in 1999 when Y2K was the hot thing. I started as an intern at a high school doing the computer work from upgrades, Y2K testing and helping the sys admin with the Novell network. Then I got contracted to do the Y2k testing and upgrades at a large bank and then full time after 3 years. I'm second level software/hardware support that is fixing all the computer problems when they occur. I don't make the big bucks that the project managers or management makes but then again I never wanted to sit in meetings all day long as a project manager acting like a baby sitter making sure people are doing there part for the project. Money wise I do ok I’m not hurting.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

I like my web servers just like my women... insecure and full of holes waiting to be exploited.


Computer Information Systems B.S. is normally database administration, electronic commerce, systems analysis and design; network theory and design, and project management. Dunno if theres more but It covers.

 

[Analog]

Our university has CIS, CNS (Computer Networks and Systems) as well as EET BS degrees. All of these majors are essentially 100% employed unless you're a terrible student. We had a CNS major become a networks project manager at Boeing and our grads are employed all around the country. Internships are a big deal, as most of these grads get full time offers from their internship companies that were done in Junior year.

 

[Paladin]

CIS here. Started as a System Analyst out of college. Now am a Senior Software Engineer, lead on many projects.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

you can be anything under the IT umbrella. Less focus on class more focus on getting an internship.

 

[ultimatebob]

Yep... you're probably going to be an IT guy with a degree like that. My condolences.

 

[ultimatebob]

Thats the great thing about IT - experience generally counts more than a degree so you can still go into pretty much any field you want. Since the field is constantly changing potential employers (the smart ones anyway) are looking for people who can demonstrate adaptability, problem solving and critical thinking skills more than if your degree is the right one

The downside is that it can be tough to get the experience.

I wish this was true in my area... most employers with open job applications here want someone 5+ years in IT skills X, Y, and Z... Where X is something obscure and Z is something completely unrelated to X and Y.

For example, they'll want an AIX admin who's also a Java developer and knows how to program Cisco switches. Good luck finding those three skills in one person.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

I wish this was true in my area... most employers with open job applications here want someone 5+ years in IT skills X, Y, and Z... Where X is something obscure and Z is something completely unrelated to X and Y.

For example, they'll want an AIX admin who's also a Java developer and knows how to program Cisco switches. Good luck finding those three skills in one person.

yeah this is true but they are fishing for a whale but will be happy with a nice tuna. They think since so many people are out of work they can have the pick of the litter, however not all industries have this great surplus of workers.

 

[Exterous]

yeah this is true but they are fishing for a whale but will be happy with a nice tuna. They think since so many people are out of work they can have the pick of the litter, however not all industries have this great surplus of workers.

Yeah - there are definately some outlandish requirements out there but I am convinced it is mostly a combination of 'we hope to get but would settle for less' + 'we don't actually know/understand what skills this position needs'. I've seen a lot of jobs that list something as a requirement but it turns out its not needed at all. (ex: My friend worked at a small business with a simple network config that was 'requiring' a CCNP)

 

[Q]

I have had a lot of luck with this degree in finding jobs at smaller places with not much IT staff. I end up doing pretty much all things IT from desktop support to system administration to development.

I really enjoy not being pigeon holed into one specification.

Holy lurker Batman!

 

[Wyndru]

I have this degree, started as an entry level c# developer. The pay was decent but I hated the job, so I quit and did some help desk, and worked myself up to web admin. Then I have been laid off 2 times, down to help desk again, and pretty sure I'll be laid off again in 6 months.

Best thing to do is aim high, and stay there. I wish I had just stuck it through with the programming, even though I hated it I would have been more successful.

On a side note, my wife's psychology licensing test she recently took had a question on what is the most stressful jobs right now. I was surprised to find that #1 was dental assistant and #2 was computer programmer.

 

[kyrax12]

Is experience for CIS very hard to get?


Even unpaid internships?