Career: Computer and Information Systems Managers
How are worms different from viruses, and how can we protect our computer networks against them? Is the latest technology worth paying top dollar for? What’s the best way to sell products online? The computer questions facing businesses are many -- that’s no surprise. But it may surprise you to know that it takes more than computer genius to answer them.
Computer and information systems managers coordinate the work of computer professionals and help top managers make crucial business decisions. And, in some cases, they are top managers.
Computer and information systems managers supervise computer professionals as well as technology projects big and small.
Did You Know?
- As a manager, you’ll need great people skills.
Are You Ready To...?
- Oversee a staff of computer programmers and systems analysts
- Keep technical projects on schedule and under budget
- Consult with business executives to determine their computer needs
- Manage the upgrade of information technology (IT) systems
- Decide which and how much computer technology to buy
- Come up with ideas for new and improved computer products
- Troubleshoot network problems
It Helps to Be...
A great communicator and a technology nut. Computer technology is evolving at astonishing speeds, and it’ll be part of your job to keep up with the changes.
Make High School Count
- Take calculus.
- Get a head start in computer science.
- Sign up for business classes. Employers look for managers who know as much about business as they do about computers.
- Build great communication skills in English, speech, and drama.
- Take a foreign language. Some of your clients might not speak English.
- Volunteer in the school computer lab or at a library, and practice teaching others about computers.
Did You Know?
- The Internet is the world’s largest WAN (wide-area network).
Outlook
Government economists predict that jobs for computer and information systems managers will grow faster than the average for all careers through 2016. What's more, a shortage of technical workers should mean that there will be many more job openings than qualified job hunters.
Businesses will continue to build complex computer networks and use the Internet in their attempts to stay competitive. They'll need managers with technical know-how -- particularly those with expertise in cybersecurity -- to help them get the most from their IT investments.
Compensation
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the average yearly salary in 2008 for computer and information systems managers was $118,710.
However, salaries range widely depending on employer. Managers working for colleges and universities earned an average of $91,040, for example, while those working for securities and commodity exchanges earned $139,420.
