As companies accelerate their data transformation timelines and depend more on digital information to gain market advantages, demand rapidly expands for professionals with the expertise and insight to bridge the gap between business and technology operations.
The shortage of dual-experienced personnel, in fact, may be a factor in companies’ inability to extract real-time value from increasingly large and complex enterprise data sets. Nearly 80% of the 450 technology professionals who responded to one global survey said their businesses make decisions based on stale information. However, 85% said “stale” data results in decisions that harm performance.
Hidden in the cloud of those gloomy statistics is a bright future for tech-savvy business professionals in enterprises ranging in size from multinationals to small- and medium-sized businesses and start-ups. In fact, “Tech jobs remain among the most in-demand jobs in the labor market,” a staffing executive told CNBC, adding that “the jobs are less at Big Tech companies. Instead, tech workers should target their job search at small and medium-sized enterprises.”
How Do Professionals Gain Business and Technology Skills?
The online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Information Systems program offered by St. Cloud State University is an ideal way to prepare for high-impact careers in developing, implementing and managing enterprise networks and security protocols.
The AACSB-accredited program equips graduates with in-depth knowledge of broad business essentials, insights for improving business processes and managing organizational change and expertise in widely used data software platforms, giving them a competitive advantage for high-demand, lucrative careers.
What Careers Are Open to Graduates of an Information Systems MBA?
The St. Cloud State University online MBA in Information Systems program curriculum prepares students for senior leadership roles such as:
Information Technology Director
Information technology (IT) directors oversee organizations’ daily technology operations. Their diverse primary responsibilities include ensuring maximum system readiness, managing infrastructure and software maintenance and upgrade strategies and vendor agreements. Typically, IT directors take a business-centric approach to supervising internal technology operations — including departmental strategies and digital transformation — and ensuring technology operations meet business requirements.
Top paying industries for IT directors as of August 2023, according to Glassdoor, include retail and wholesale ($281,227), insurance ($261,828), telecom ($232,180) and financial services ($221,253).
Information Systems Security Manager
Information systems security managers develop and direct the deployment of IT cybersecurity procedures and policies. Their overarching goal is to protect digital assets, including systems and data, from breaches that interfere with business operations, unauthorized data modifications and the disclosure of proprietary information.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts businesses will add almost 57,000 IT security positions annually through 2031 (35% growth rate, much faster than the average for all careers), with median salaries of $102,600.
Network Architect
This role’s primary responsibilities include designing and implementing IT infrastructure such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets and various data communication networks. Key skillsets include network modeling, analysis and planning to ensure data delivery systems meet business needs.
The BLS expects to add 7,500 positions annually through 2031, with a 4% growth rate. These professionals can earn a median annual salary of $120,520.
Audit Risk Manager
IT audits examine and evaluate infrastructure, applications, data use and management, policies, procedures and operational processes to ensure they meet recognized standards or established guidelines. Audits assess if the controls to protect information technology assets ensure integrity and align with organizational goals and objectives.
According to Glassdoor, entry-level IT risk managers earn an average base salary of $129,551.
Information Systems Manager
All digital-related activities — including strategic coordination to operational oversight — fall to the information systems manager. They are key players in optimizing resource allocation, conducting cost and benefit analyses and presenting project proposals to leadership and other stakeholders.
The BLS predicts employers will add nearly 49,000 positions for a 16% job growth rate through 2031, with annual salaries averaging over $159,000.
“Organizations are still focused on technology projects and digital transformation, and because of that, tech workers are in more and more demand today,” according to TechTarget.
Graduates of an advanced business degree in information systems have the skills and expertise to enter a number of high-paying, in-demand roles.
Learn more about St. Cloud State University’s online MBA with a concentration in Information Systems program.
