Management Information Systems (MIS)
Overview
Management Information Systems (MIS) is the
study of how technology can be used to solve business problems and
create new business opportunities.
What's the difference between Computer Science and Management
Information Systems?
Both computer science and MIS professionals are interested in
technology. Computer science focuses on the internal workings
of technology and on improving technology itself - making it
faster, smarter and easier to use. MIS focuses on how people,
business processes and technology interact to meet an
organization's goals. In MIS, the attention is more on how
companies use the technology to meet their needs.
Computer science answers the question: How can we
make technology work better?
MIS answers the question: How can we
help people work smarter using technology?
Why study MIS?
Look at any list of careers, particularly lists of where jobs
will be in the future. It would be difficult to find a job
that does not use technology in some way. Organizations need
people who understand both the business and technology, as well as
people who can help make the most of existing and future
technology.
You'll enjoy MIS if you:
- Enjoy learning how to use technology to get things done and
reach new goals.
- Want to work with people.
- Like solving problems that haven't been solved before.
- Would like to work in a field that is continually changing and
introducing new ideas and products.
- Want to change the way that work gets done in today's
organizations, making it faster, smarter and more fun.
I chose MIS over Computer Science because I have always been
more interested in the application of technology as opposed to its
development. I want to work with people rather than sit behind
a computer screen all day.
Josh Allanson '12
Management Information Systems Major