Expert: Robert Gilgen - 1/5/2001

Question
I have an undergraduate Finance degree, and I am planning on going back to school in August to get a Master's degree in Management Iformation Systems and need some career advice.   What types of jobs will be available to me, and what are the hottest positions for someone with my educational background?

Answer
Hi Dan,

there's no easy answer for this, and I can only give you some direction.

I consider it important that there is a gradual buildup of
skills in each of the areas, in your case both in the
financial area and the IT area. This seems to be the case
but in MIS a great deal will depend on your IT skills.

Distinguish between what you have learned vs. what you have
actually done yourself. It is most important to obtain
real-world work experience using the skills you already
have and improving them as your experience grows.
With every career decision you have the choice to just
continue on with the same or change your course and move
into a different direction.

Many areas in IT and MIS are "hot", e.g. the systems
interoperability and integration, e.g. integrating different platforms, technologies, networks etc.
Maximizing the use of existing resources and upgrading
and adding resources while running an effective asset
management. Management of change while ensuring stability
and high availability of all systems. Managing risks,
balancing user convenience and productivity with other
demands, e.g. security needs.

Dan, while your technical skills are very important,
with your financial background you'll probably have
an advantage in many business management aspects.
In your career you should consider emphasizing
on the strengths that set you apart as well as
synergizing them will everything else you in your
expertise. But of course this all should be
something you really enjoy.

Good luck!

Robert