INQUIRY

Career Profile
Prospect for Success Paper # 2

Submitted to
Dr. Daryl L. Kerr
Department of Management
Belk College of Business
UNC Charlotte

Submitted by
Searra Conley
BUSN 1101-001
June 20, 2016

As my career choice, I have chosen to discuss the roles of a computer and information systems
manager, also known as information technology (I.T.) managers. I will be discussing the duties and
responsibilities, working conditions, qualifications and training required, advancement, earnings, and
employment outlook of an I.T. manager.
I.T. managers help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are
responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals. To achieve these objectives I.T.
managers must, plan and direct the installation and maintenance of computer hardware and software and
ensure the security of an organizations network and electronic documents. Also I.T. managers assess the
costs and benefits of new projects and justify funding on projects to top executives. Along with planning
and directing the work of other I.T. professionals including: computer system analysts, software
developers, information security analysts, and computer support specialists.
In regards to the working conditions of an I.T. manager, as of 2014 two out of five workers
reported to worked more than 40 hours per week as a full time employee. I.T. managers also work indoors
every day because of the excessive computer use, telephone calls, and electronic mail service.
In order to become a computers and information systems manager you need a bachelors degree
in a computer- or information science- related field. Also recommended is courses in computer
programming, software development, mathematics, and business classes. Larger firms require you to have
a graduate degree, usually a Masters of Business Administration. The qualifications can vary from
different fields like I.T. security managers need work experience in information security or an hospital I.T.
needs experience in a health care field. Other than education, organizations are looking for employees
with analytical skills, business skills, communication skills, decision-making skills, leadership skills, and
organizational skills. To become a lower level manager, such as an I.T. manager, you need five to ten
years experience in a related information technology job. With years of experience as an I.T. manager
you can advance to an I.T. director, then chief technology officer (CTO), which takes 15 plus years of
experience. Next position you could acquire is a chief information officer (CIO) and eventually a top
executive.
2

The median wages of 2015 for I.T. managers were $63.27 hourly or approximately $131,600
annually. The lowest ten percent, of I.T. managers, earned less than $80,160 and the highest ten percent
earned more than $187,200. Also the pay varies in each industry. In the information industry, the median
annual wages were $148,070, in computer systems design and related services $139,600, in finance and
insurance $136,240, in manufacturing $134,060, and in management of companies and enterprises
$133,400.
The projected growth of I.T. managers is 15 percent from 2014 to 2024. Operations specialties
manager employment growth and total all occupation in the U.S. economy is projected to increase by
seven percent. The growth comes from the expansions in firms and their operations to digital platforms.
Also it is due to the growth in technology, old technology is dying out and I.T. managers are retiring. So
right now would be a great time to pursue a career as an I.T. manager. The technology expansion adds
another task to I.T. managers job description. They have to learn about new technology and look for
ways to upgrade their organizations computer systems.
In my research, I discovered a study of the six information system managers and how their roles
have changed over the years. The article gives a fictional account of one individuals rise through the ranks
as an information systems manager to illustrate a typical day. In the article it discusses I.T. managers were
mistreated from time to time:
top management mishandles this key individual in many ways: it fails to recognize
the fact that he needs to be at least as much as a manger as a technician; it usually regards
his job as a dead end from which no promotion is possible: it tends to use him as a
scapegoat when things go awry
Dismissals among I.T. managers were common. In one study it was found that over 50 percent of 180
companies surveyed had replaced top system executives within the previous 18 months, according to this
same article with the fictional account. This is something I found interesting and makes me reconsider
pursuing this career.

I was able to encounter an abundant amount of information about computer and information
systems managers. The task they have to do seems like a large amount of work, but that is the price that
comes with being in the corporate ladder. I also dont mind being indoors the majority of the day, I do that
on a regular basis. If I do pursue this career I may have to change majors even though management
information systems, is specifically for I.T. managers because of the experience in computers needed. The
pay of this career seems very generous and I would not mind that benefit. I have a lot to consider for my
future career.

References
Computer and Information Systems Managers. (2015, December 17). Retrieved June 15, 2016, from
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm
Computer and Information Systems Managers. (n.d.). Retrieved June 16, 2016, from
http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/11-3021.00
Diran, K. (1978). Management Information Systems: The Human Factor. The Journal of Higher
Education, 49(3), 273-282. doi:1. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org.librarylink.uncc.edu/stable/1981116 doi:1
Dumas, P. (1975). A New Breed of Managers: The Information Manager. Management International
Review, 15(4/5), 49-56. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.librarylink.uncc.edu/stable/40227222
Ives, B., & Olson, M. (1981). Manager or Technician? The Nature of the Information Systems Manager's
Job. MIS Quarterly, 5(4), 49-63. doi:1. Retrieved from
http://www.jstor.org.librarylink.uncc.edu/stable/249327 doi:1
Management Information Systems (MIS). (n.d.). Retrieved June 16, 2016, from
http://www.inc.com/encyclopedia/management-information-systems-mis.html
Swanson, E. (1974). Management Information Systems: Appreciation and Involvement. Management
Science, 21(2), 178-188. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.librarylink.uncc.edu/stable/2629678