Volume 67, Issue 8

MIS Exposed
by Albert Babayev

Thinking of choosing MIS as your major? Think again.

Management Information Systems (MIS) – a Business Administration concentration in the Sy Syms School of Business – is too often the default path selected by many undergraduate Yeshiva students. The major begins by introducing the students to the Microsoft Suite, where the students learn to develop their already existent abilities in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint in the course “Introduction to Management Information Systems.”   Students interested in programming are then advised to take courses with the requisite orientation, including C++, Systems Analysis, and Database Design.  Alternatively, those eyeing Systems Administrations take courses like Systems Security, Telecommunications, and Systems Administration become your bread and butter.  But lets face it: most MIS majors seem to be more concerned with browsing the Internet and chatting with friends on AOL than they are with acquiring technical expertise, at least that’s what their classroom preoccupations seem to indicate.

With that in mind, it’s no small wonder that problems creep up somewhere during MIS majors’ senior year when job placement becomes a critical issue for most students. At that point, students start to become conscientious of the few positive things about their MIS careers as a student like the friendships they polished online and the unbreakable bond they created with Professor Jorisch.  Sadly, those two facts don’t cut it in the business world.

The leading competition in the placement category comes from Yeshiva College. Computer Science is known to be a more difficult major and, therefore, superior to MIS. The difference between the two majors is clear from their introductory level courses. 

The required first course in computer science, “Introduction to Computer Applications and Programming” familiarizes students with the meat and potatoes of computer technology, ranging from hardware to the introduction of loops and first rate programming styles. And it only gets more challenging from there.  It should come as no surprise then that the interviewees whose resume sport computer science as a major are automatically placed ahead of the MIS majors, not to mention the fact that computer science majors usually present themselves more impressively.  In fact, many students who have never even seen the inside of desktop are well aware of the daunting difficulty of the computer science major.

What could someone do with an MIS degree besides for applying for a local grocery store? MIS could chase companies away from one’s resume, especially since the industry is now comprised of many skilled and qualified individuals who are willing to work for entry-level dollars. One option for a potential graduate would be to continue his or her education in a graduate school program. This would make the individual more focused on a particular field.  Many companies even favor individuals with masters degrees over those who have gained solid experience, but have recently been laid off.  And, in some cases, graduate school students’ concrete knowledge outshines that of people with field experience. 

Adding another concentration to your Business Administration major is a good way to expand your qualifications. As previously mentioned, MIS as a lone major doesn’t exactly make for an attractive resume. Although, adding another major, such as Finance or Accounting, will make you stand out as serious minded and computer savvy. A double major shows drive and determination on top of credentials. And, you will not be competing against graduates with MIS degrees.  You will be aiming to grab a spot in a more business oriented environment working in the financial markets.

I will not discount the fact that there are those few students who surpass the pits of our economy and are still able to find work with the lone MIS major. However, most prospective graduates will not find themselves in this category.  These students should rethink their choices and face the harsh reality of the current economy.

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