What Does an Information Systems Manager Do?

If working with information and using your skills to help with the daily operations of a business sounds interesting, you may enjoy working as an information systems manager. This career not only offers a good wage and interesting work but is also very much in demand today. Here is some information on what these professionals do as well as what it takes to become one.

Information Systems Managers and What They Do

Computer and information systems managers are trained professionals who analyze a company’s needs and, based on their findings, make recommendations to the top executives. Because so much of their work is based on retrieving, analyzing and distributing information, computer and information systems managers are also called information technology (IT) managers. Their daily routine also involves directing a company’s computer-based activities. Some of their duties include the following.

• Deciding both short- and long-term personnel goals for different departments

• Determining and installing computer software and hardware as well as computer maintenance

• Analyzing a company’s computer needs and making appropriate recommendations

• Directing the employment of other IT professionals in the company

• Dealing with vendors in determining the company’s security and technology needs

• Protecting the company’s network from malware and hackers

• Installing and upgrading the company’s computer system and network system

• Coordinating most technology-based matters with upper management

To be successful in this career, an information systems manager should have good communication, organizational, business, leadership, and analytical skills.

What Training is Required?

Information systems managers are typically required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science. However, most organizations prefer their IT managers to have graduate degrees. Completing the bachelor degree takes four years while pursuing the master degree adds two to three additional years of study. Additionally, information systems managers with bachelor degrees typically need several years of work experience before obtaining positions as managers.

The Master of Business Administration is an example of a graduate degree an aspiring IT manager might pursue this career. Students in these programs complete courses in courses in software development, computer programming, mathematics, financial information systems and database designs. With the addition of distance in many schools, candidates may have the option of completing many of the courses online.

Resource: 5 Scholarships for Business Majors

Career Outlook and Wage Potential

One of the many positive aspects of working as information systems managers is the potential for growth. While most start off in entry-level positions, many of these workers advance to the highest level within a company and may work as IT directors, chief technology officers or project managers. U.S. News & World Report gave computer and information systems managers the following rankings in 2017.

• #3 among best technology jobs

• #10 among best STEM jobs

• #12 among best-paying jobs

• #42 among the 100 best jobs.

Employment of these workers is expected to increase 12 percent between 2016 and 2026 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). As more companies continue to meet today’s technology needs and turn to digital platforms, the need for information systems managers continues to grow. Information systems managers earned a median annual wage of about $135,800 as of a May 2016 BLS wage report. States where the highest wages are New York, California, New Jersey, Virginia, and Delaware.