Computer and Information Systems Managers Career Information

Computer Systems Manager

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The average value of the Bachelor degree needed to become a Computer and information systems managers is $2,446,117.00.

Points of Interest

Computer and information systems managers can look forward to future growth in this career field. These individuals must have in-depth technical knowledge related to computer technology and have a degree at the bachelor’s level. Those with the greatest job prospects will have a master’s degree, which is preferred by many employers. A master's in business administration is one of the best options for those entering this field. Nature of the Work

Working as a computer information and systems manager involves supervising and putting into action the technologies within the business or organization that he or she works for. These individuals help establish a plan, oversee a team and manage the necessary research for the computer systems used on a daily basis. They use the company's goals in order to choose the appropriate technology that will help them to be met. Part of their responsibility is software development, the proper running of the Internet systems and security for the network.

These managers also supervise information technology employees such as software engineers, support specialists, systems analysts and programmers who help them to keep in organization’s computer system up and running on a daily basis. The manager has to plan for the company’s future needs in regards to technology, equipment and employees that will be needed to repair and maintain them. They also assign work duties to each employee, plan schedules and have to keep current on new advances in technology.

IT Manager

They can also have additional work duties that are highly dependent on the kind of position held. For example, in the role of an information technology project manager, the individual has to handle planning the routine upgrade of the company computer systems that keeps it competitive in the market. They also plan and oversee large-scale projects that require collaboration with other professionals and possibly with outside consultants. A chief technology officer has the job of assessing new technology and deciding which ones will best benefit the company. They must examine how much a company will gain from investing in the technology and reports his or her findings to company officers.

This is primarily a job that takes place in an office setting and may require longer hours during the weekend and in the evening. The average work week for 25% of those that work in this field was approximately 50 hours. This position can contain an element of stress when having to deal with deadlines and trying to stay within a company budget. Individuals working in this role may have eyestrain from working at a computer for long periods and possible back pain. There is also the chance for repetitive motion injuries from constant typing.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

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In order to be successful in this field, the individual must have the required technical knowledge, experience with computer technology and in-depth understanding of business management. At a minimum, a new manager will require a bachelor's degree in a field tied to computer technology. Their basic coursework will deal with classes such as: math, statistics, computer science, programming and computer engineering. Many choose to major in areas such as management information systems or computer science.

They may also have to take coursework related to management, accounting, finance, database management or system security. They can also choose to pursue a masters in business administration, which takes approximately 2 years to finish. This degree includes advanced coursework that is similar in scope to the bachelor's degree course of study. Those that receive training at a community college or technical school can enter the field if they also have the necessary skills and work experience.

A computer and information systems manager needs to have a wide variety of knowledge and skills in order to be effective on-the-job. This can be done by attending various training programs and achieving certifications with different kinds of software and technology. Many companies will offer certifications that are for projects that they sell exclusively. The more certifications that a manager has with various products, the better his or her job opportunities will be.

A skilled manager must have excellent spoken, written and communication skills for this role. Having effective leadership skills, problem-solving ability and being able to work well with others is essential for being in charge of a team. Those applicants most highly sought after by employers are those with experience in consulting, managing a business or in sales. Good communication skills are essential as a manager must be able to take complex topics and explain them in a clear manner to clients and other professionals.

Those wanting to advance in the field can gain greater responsibility through training and experience. They can move into positions in human resources, marketing or become a chief technology officer. Employment

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008 there were approximately 293,000 computer and information systems manager positions. Most of these individuals were employed with a government agency, a manufacturing company, insurance company or with a financial firm. Approximately 16% of those in the field worked with various companies under a contract, doing work with design and computer programming.

Job Outlook

The job opportunities available in this field are projected to grow at a very high rate. By the year 2018, the overall job growth for this field is expected at a rate of 17%. As technology advances and with the increased need for managers with experience in this field, new positions will become open. Management positions related to computer network security will also see job growth as this will continue to be a great need with the fast pace of change in technology. The area with the highest growth in job positions is projected to be in computer systems design establishments, data processing, software publishing and in the healthcare field.

Projections

Those managers who have completed a master’s in business administration with a focus on computer information systems will have the strongest chance of employment. Jobs will also become open as workers retire, transfer to another field or leave this line of work entirely. In 2008, there were a total of 293,000 people employed in these positions and there is expected to be approximately 342,500 positions by 2018. This is a total of 49,500 job openings becoming available in this period, which translates into an overall growth of 17%.

Earnings

The average earnings of a computer and information systems manager can depend on the amount of responsibility that is given and the specific area worked in. The average range of earnings in this field goes from $88,240 to $141,890. The average yearly salary in 2008 according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics was $112,210.

Wages

The top paying industry for this field is software publishers, who pay an average yearly wage of $126,840. Insurance companies paid the lowest average salary, with a total of $100,810 per year. Those working as managers in a company or organization were paid in the middle range of $115,150 per year, while managers in computer systems design earned $118,120 per year. These managers also receive additional benefits such as stock options, possible bonuses and having a business account for travel and work expenses.

Related Occupations

Job positions that are related to a computer and information systems manager include a wide variety. These can be in marketing, computer programming, finance, engineering and natural science. These individuals can also serve as company executives and be sales managers.

Sources of Additional Information

The Association for Computing Machinery offers information on various computer careers, a variety of resources relating to the field and publications. They can be located at the following contact information:

2 Penn Plaza, Suite 701 New York, NY 10121-0701 http://www.computingcareers.acm.org.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society is a member based organization that provides an online digital library, online learning opportunities and certification programs for members. It can be located at the following address: Headquarters Office 2001 L Street Northwest, Suite 700 Washington, D.C. 20036-4910

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