mis..all about computers?

<p>i am really exploring my degree options and mis has recently popped out at me. i always wanted to be an engineer but i dont really know if i want to go through the engineering college life. mis looks cool because it is technical and business, the mix i was looking for. i was just wondering, is mis all computer science and things like that? i dont mind computers, but i wouldnt classify myself as the computer geeky type that would get into computer science. ive taken a programming class along with some computer apps(microsoft office applications) classes, and they both got pretty old fast. is mis right for me, or am i not going to want to deal with all the computer science involved? and if you think it would work for me, do you know what any of the top mis schools are besides the usnews top 5? thanks.</p>

<p>You say you were interested in a technical/business mix but you aren't into computers and didn't enjoy the computer classes you had. So i'm not sure why you want the "mix" at all.</p>

<p>That being said, MIS majors aren't all computer nerds. Many MIS professionals (analysts, project managers, and even some developers...albeit normally not the successful developers) aren't all that computer savvy. If you did choose to go MIS, I would recommend trying to go into project management. That is a less-technical career route and could be leveraged in other industries (if u wanted to get out of IT).</p>

<p>When I first started MIS, I had a real passion for computers. I was like a sponge trying to learn everything I could about them, and even enjoyed my programming classes. However, fast forward to working in the industry, and I discovered that I didn't have the passion for that anymore. It's much easier to be successful and happy if you have a passion for what you are doing. Also, MIS changes so much that you have to continue to educate yourself throughout your career (which is not easy if you aren't into the technology).</p>

<p>Perhaps I'm wrong and MIS is right for you, but perhaps you should explore other options also (finance perhaps?)</p>

<p>IT is a very versatile degree, you can go into many industries with a degree in MIS, CIS, or IT which are all equivalent. The fastest growing industries in America are industries involved in technologies, besides Information Systems Managers are some of the highest paid professionals in the country.</p>

<p>Top</a> Ten Highest Paying Jobs in the US
The</a> Highest Paying Jobs in the U.S. « Careerhacker
Highest-Paying</a> Jobs in the US : Career Advice Article at CareerBuilder.com</p>

<p>vercorwega-im sorry i didnt really explain my thought process fully. i love technology and learning about how things work, the part of my computer classes i didnt like was sitting there and making word documents and spreadsheets. and i didnt like the programming class as much at the time, but that was a couple years ago and i should note that ive really gotten into it lately, doing such things as putting some simple equation programs into my ti calculator. so maybe it would be safe to say that i enjoy the technical side of computers and technology more than some of the applications of them (if that makes any sense). so does this change anything? and ive looked into finance and economics and they seemed interesting for awhile but the more i looked at them the more i disliked thinking of myself thinking about money all day to make money for a career.</p>

<p>MIS is all about how and when companies and organizations use technology are critical to remaining competitive. Computer and information systems managers play a vital role in the technological direction of their organizations. They do everything from constructing the business plan to overseeing network security to directing Internet operations. </p>

<p>Computer and information systems managers plan, coordinate, and direct research and facilitate the computer-related activities of firms. They help determine both technical and business goals in consultation with top management and make detailed plans for the accomplishment of these goals. For example, working with their staff, they may develop the overall concepts and requirements of a new product or service, or may identify how an organization’s computing capabilities can effectively aid project management.</p>

<p>MIS is a very good field to be involved in, I wouldn't worry much if you hate word and excel, because MIS doesn't really require much office work. It is all about implementing technologies into business. It combines a knack for business with the love of technology which is very lucrative, and very rewarding.</p>

<p>thanks alot uria, that was the answer i was hoping for.</p>

<p>Yea, MIS degrees are pretty versatile, plus technology plays such a big role in our lives nowadays, that Information Systems Managers are quickly shooting up the ladder in pay after graduation. The field is one of the fastest growing in the industry that offers many different areas of employment.
My brother actually graduated from Syracuse with a degree in MIS and is in his second year of graduate school at NYU Tisch. He works for a open source operating system company that sells support for their products doing marketing, earns $91 an hour at age 24, which is really good pay for anyone. There are a lot of jobs in the tech industry that aren't necessarily technically intensive, but do require knowledge on technology and how it works. For marketing, a lot of companies such as Cell phone companies use MIS majors - and we all the money in cell phone companies, since they pretty much own us.</p>

<p>UriA702 failed to mention the trend that more and more IT jobs are being outsourced to India, and the US govt will do nothing about it. Also, pay is "fine" in IT, but the ceiling really isn't that high, especially if you aren't technical. I've known dozens of people who have left the industry to make better money in other lines of work.</p>

<p>As for those lists of highest paying jobs...you don't exactly see MBAs jumping out of their seats to become IT managers. There are many far better opportunities with much higher ceilings.</p>

<p>Couldn't agree more, but the OP was asking about employment in other industries, and from a business perspective companies find MIS graduates good for marketing and other things, due to their ability to solve problems. Once you understand how computers network, it puts a lot into perspective about how human networks function. Plus, there are plenty of IT jobs that cant be outsourced such as system admins and IT departments of large companies that need to be physically available to troubleshoot and what not.
My point was, It is a rather versatile degree, A lot of other industries are being outsourced as well, New York Times foreign affairs columnist Thomas Friedman wrote a very good book about what he calls "globalization 3.0" or the outsourcing and many other things related to it, it really puts things into perspective. Technically intensive degrees are very versatile because the students typically have a knack for solving problems and analyzing problems in fine detail, which appeals to many different industries, I would say for now MIS is still a safe bet, the jobs still pay well, we don't know whats going to happen in the future, but that goes for most other fields as well.</p>

<p>MIS majors are those who could not handle being engineers.</p>

<p>To this say I still believe a CS degree then a MS in MIS or a MBA will be a better combo. My 52 year old mothers knows more about computers than most MIS students I know.</p>

<p>MIS is more based on implementing technologies into business practices. It is not heavily based on programming. A lot of MIS students will go into marketing or other areas of business in the tech industry, where a solid background in technology helps quite a bit. Many people who have a interest in computers and study MIS are not talented in mathematics and engineering may not be for them. I know plenty of successful people with MIS degrees. Most Business Management students I know couldn't manage their way out of a paper bag. The few students that you know do not speak for all IT professionals. Some are very talented, and many jobs that involve business decisions involved IT pro's as well. For some jobs such as website management, it is better off to have someone with a background in IT who has taken business courses as well. The IT managers are know may not be as savvy at programming as CS students with heavy concentration in programming, however they can market products, hold positions as account executives,etc etc not only for software companies, for tech companies in general.</p>

<p>Outsourcing can help create jobs as well, it is not necessarily a bad thing. Plus, many IT jobs are on-site and can not be outsourced, at this point it is the lower end IT jobs, such as tech support that are bring outsourced. There is a shortage of skilled IT professionals. Some students who study IT plan on an MBA in the future. Which is feasible. At this point outsourcing is not as relevant as many may think. An MBA would be a great way to get into management after a MIS degree, but an MIS degree can lead to very different career paths.</p>

<p>
[quote]
MIS majors are those who could not handle being engineers.</p>

<p>To this say I still believe a CS degree then a MS in MIS or a MBA will be a better combo

[/quote]
</p>

<p>LMAO @ saying MIS majors can't handle being engineers and then advocating that CS graduates get their MS in MIS. Clueless.</p>