Employment Trend in Information Systems Management - Personal Statement Example

Employment Trend in Information Systems Management Both my parents are in the information technology industry. With me being their child, I get to see firsthand what the industry is about. It is a sophisticated work, their world revolves around a language that we probably do not understand unless we would like to know firsthand and consider it as our prospective careers. As their child, I would like to follow their footsteps very much and see what this cutthroat industry is about. I know for one that this sector is a very dynamic and I am sure people who would like to join the group has to be agile and open-minded as well. But these are my observations. It would do me a lot of good to research what the industry really requires on one of its potential members. First off, I should realize what the Universities can do in order to make me the best of the IS employee out there since every great man probably started in one. Universities are aware of the importance of computers these days. Life simply cannot function without them. Therefore, there is a steady need for people that would know how to install, operate, program, and analyze the system, and Universities are prepared just to provide these personnel. Universities are offering varying computer science programs. The industry expects a lot from these. The industry expects these programs to adequately equip the graduates with knowledge on management systems analysis, computer concepts, data processing, data base design, file organization, data base management systems. The graduates in order to qualified also need to be very adept in planning and controlling of systems projects, analyzing information needs, using computer systems, organizing structures and information systems as well as human relations in systems development. The potential employee should at least understand the workings of statistics, and operations research. The graduates, when they have been studying still should have already been exposed to the industry through field projects. Finally, the University should have familiarized all the graduates it had produced with COBOL, a computer language and the students should be very knowledgeable with computer control and auditing. (Hinomoto, 405-406) Of course, a university education could only get one aspirant so far. He would probably land an interview but in the end, do not get hired. There are of course, qualities that should be inherent and learned by a person in order to fulfill the job requirements as well as please their bosses, prominent figures in the information systems management field. Knowing technical computer stuffs just won't cut it for everyone. Computers and their processes can change quickly in a blink of an eye, all it takes is one innovative idea and this will set forth numerous transformations in the field as well. Therefore, it is acknowledged that the job requirements and the associated knowledge or skills needed from the Information Systems professionals would change quite as rapid as well. The need to improve IS human resources is a highly prioritized and a person who could provide that would be most welcome to join the group of IS professionals. Specifically, an employed person of the information systems management industry should possess these skills. First is the technical specialty knowledge, for instance, knowledge on operating systems, programming languages, database management systems, networks, telecommunications and other more. And than, the person must be adept with technology management knowledge skills. These are concerned with how to organize these technologies in order to accomplish strategic business objectives. Then these lead us to the person needing sufficient business functional knowledge and skills. After all, most of these technologies are in use to achieve business goals. Therefore, they have to have business sense so they can reengineer business processes. Lastly, like every job in the world, or most of them anyway, they have to have interpersonal and management knowledge and skills. In this case, their jobs are quite boundary les, so all the more important for them to know how to face all sorts of people especially the end users (Lee, 323). The rapid growth and distribution of computer as well as software, and the fact that everybody seems to have a computer nowadays, relying on it more and more for its functions, make sure that the role of Information Systems is not likely to diminish anytime soon. The only thing that would surely happen is for the sector to grow along with these computing technologies and the enhancement of their capabilities. Of course this view runs counter with the idea that with information technologies booming, the sophisticating of users and the increasing outsourcing systems, the IS will actually become obsolete. I believe what other studies are saying that this is not quite so, that despite this trend of proliferation, the Information system is still needed for its functions of data administration, telecommunication, networks and systems integration. These remains centralized for people with IS background. The threat of being obsolete of course should not be taken lightly; University IS departments must move on from being just task oriented to role oriented. Meaning, instead of seeing the task as the end in itself, to making sure that they're user-friendly, enhancing their relationship with the end users. They could assume the role of internal consultants, linking the different often unrelated systems of the computer operations, and becoming agents in the true sense of the word. They have to face that they are not the proprietors of information systems anymore and must be determined to be the best service providers to end users (Lee, 316). Challenging for these professionals is that in their field, there is no stability in the knowledge that you have to have. One should quickly adapt when things are moving towards another idea, as is inevitable in this industry. Computing technology can be so quick in its advancement that those who would not be able to follow, are left behind. This apply to both the consumers as well as the IS professionals. New knowledge, new systems emerged almost every day. As technology experts, these professionals are expected to be aware and keep themselves informed on these new developments and then to be the ones who would be providing assessments and advice to users. (Lee, 315) Not only do they have to be abreast with what new developments that is taking place, but they should also worry about being cost-effective. The fact that computers are gaining importance in our world means that the industry may become swamp with companies wanting to partake with a piece of the industry's profit. Consequently, competition ensues. In order to win against the competitors, the IS professionals faces pressure for stringency and prudence. They have to know where the most cost-effective ways of applying technologies in other fields like business could be found. Yet, they must also be able to convince the upper management that several investments the company is making on information technology will give them commensurate returns. (Lee, 315) The development of new technologies is often a catalyst for job opportunities. For the information system management sector, the integration of Internet technologies into businesses provides exactly that. Now and in the near future, we would continue to see the growing of electronic commerce, and more establishments will use the Internet to conduct their operations. And with such boom, IS professionals would be needed to help the organization in utilizing these new technologies so that things would be smooth for the overall running of the company. They are needed as people who are knowledgeable about network, data and communication security. Technology won't be stopping its growing soon, its getting more and more sophisticated and complex and it will not diminish in the near future, in that case, we would also see those individuals with specialized degree in computer science, computer engineering or those fortunate to have MBA under their achievements, and of course with concentration in the degree information systems would no doubt enjoy favorable employment opportunities. Employees would continue to seek computer specialists that can combine the qualities of having strong technical skills, good interpersonal skills and business skills. Experience would play a big factor in one's getting hired as well (University of Buffalo). Self-Critique My parents are working in the information systems management industry, I plan to join them there. But, its not that easy. After all, I made this paper and realized that my parents are exactly the kind of people they are looking for, and realized too that I have a lot more to learn and change about myself. For one, I was made to see that in the information systems, not only is having the knowledge and passion for computers important, I have to have formal education because the industry expects a lot from the universities in terms of guiding students towards becoming the best IS experts they can be. Then, for the qualities that they are looking for, the technical skills, the interpersonal skills and the business skills, I do not think I got everything down pat. I do not quite worry about the technical skills, I know I would make sure that I manage to understand more or less everything there is to IS. I rather think that the knowledge and skills a person could have from any profession comes from his determination to do just that. What is quite a downside is that I am not a very sociable person. I am not an interpersonal specie. I do talk and have reasonable amounts of friends, but I frequently find myself rather wanting to be alone, or behind the computers. Now that I know that kind of attitude won't get me far in the industry, I would of course resolve to change it. As for the third, having a business sense may not be all that natural to me, but I do have inkling of what will work and what would not in a business setting. That I think is helpful because once I become an IS professional, it is important to have the overall idea of what processes would work for a certain company's operations. I guess for me, there's still a long way for me to go before I reach my goal. But suffice to say, it really is not impossible. For a detailed understanding of what is needed in terms of skills and knowledge for the several positions one can have in the information management industry, this is the results of the survey conducted for this topic by Hinomoto: Work Cited: Hinomoto Hirohide. "Educcation in Information Systems: What does the Industry Expect From the University The Academy of Management Joutnal. 18:2 (1975). 24 November 2007. Lee, Denis M.S. et al. "Critical Skills and Knowledge Requirements of IS Professionals: A Joint Academic/Industry Investigation." MIS Quarterly. 19:3 (1995). 24 November 2007. Computer Systems Analysts, Database Administrators, and Computer Scientists. The University of Buffalo, the State University of New Yotk. (2004-2005). 24, Novemeber 2007. pretjoin this is a very dynamic and I am sure people who would like to join this ry is about. and consider ir Read More