Graduate careers advice: you and your information systems degree

Graduate careers advice on what yu can do with your information systems degree.

Related jobs include:

• Android/iOS developer
• Computer scientist
• Data analyst
• Data scientist
• Database/Systems administrator
• Geographical information systems manager
• Helpdesk/Technical support
• IT consultant
• IT project manager
• IT Security Specialist
• Network engineer
• Systems analyst/business analyst
• Technical support
• UX designer
• Web developer/designer

Work experience

Your skills portfolio will be enhanced by obtaining work experience in the areas of hardware, software, operating systems and team leadership. Your course may involve a placement year or a placement that runs during your final year. This will afford you an invaluable opportunity to build contacts while developing your skills.

Many companies offer summer placements and IT internships. The careers service at your university should be able to put you in touch with companies with vacancies.

Practical experience in a corporate environment will boost your client management skills, commercial awareness and your ability to comprehend and communicate the benefits of IT to businesses.

To keep abreast of jobs and networking opportunities, obtain student membership of a professional body like the BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT). This will also set you on the path to professional membership and chartered status.

Information on work experience can be found here.

What sectors?

Any organisations that employ ICT systems offer opportunities for information systems graduates. As such, the range of employers is wide and diverse.

Public sector and not-for-profit employers include:

• charities;
• local and central government;
• the HSE:
• education;
• the media.

Private sector recruiters include:

• software houses;
• ICT consultancy firms;
• telecom companies;
• ICT service providers.

ICT sector employers vary from multinational companies to small and medium sized organisations.

Your information systems CV

An information systems degree will equip you with such skills as:

• systems analysis;
• hardware and software development and programming;
• database systems and design;
• business analysis;
• data-mining;
• computer security;
• mobile apps;
• emerging technologies.

Other valuable skills you will develop include:

• teamwork;
• problem solving;
• commercial awareness;
• project management;
• negotiation;
• planning and organising;
• the ability to meet customer needs.

Developing these attributes will help you to understand your employer’s IT needs and work effectively alongside programmers, software engineers, business analysts and computer scientists.

Postgraduate study

You can build on the skills acquired on your degree by taking a Masters in information systems. You may have the option of specialising in a specific area, such as health information systems.

Areas like computer science and operations management offer PhD opportunities.

Related professional qualifications are available in business and IT.

Product suppliers and ICT training providers offer regular training in technical products. Your career progression will be aided by taking additional courses.

More information on opportunities can be found in our Further Study section.