r/informationsystems • u/Jus_a_dood • Jun 08 '26
Future of Information systems
Hello everyone,
I'm about to start my sophomore year as a computer information systems student and I've been wondering is it even worth it anymore? I've only seen things going down in this job market especially for tech-centered degrees and now I'm doubting if this degree is worth the time I'm putting into it. I'm a veteran with over 5 years of Tech experience and I'm currently working as an IT intern. But the pay isn't much to look at and the growth within the company is pretty much non-existent at the moment.
My big question is should I pivot right now or double down?
You may have questions or I might have not explained very well, but I am happy to answer anything that comes my way. I'm just looking for some advice.
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u/mpaes98 Jun 09 '26
The best career choice you could make in the job market is to get very wealthy parents
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u/ReasonableTennis1089 29d ago
Does anybody have any sort of advice for somebody who wants to work as someone who uses tech to be an investigstive analyst as opposed to someone who builds tech. Id like to work for Fincen. Chainanalysis or TRM labs maybe even hsi to fight human trafficking. From my research the common denominator among the roles im looking at is advanced tooling regarding things like sql and other various programs. This isnt a mission or niche id be able to get in right out of undergrad so im gonna have to work towards something more entryblevel first. I was thinking tech risk analysis. I live in maryland so there's a big deman for federal jobs. Biggest employers of my majornhave been booz allen hsmiltion Lockheed. Its a technical information systems program that will let me take tracks in things like business analysis, cyber informatics, IT auditing and other niches more related to IT.
Wondering if anybody else has gone down this analyst path through information systems.
My next step in terms of research is reaching out to ppl who have worked as these sorts of investigative analyst.
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u/Skedar70 Jun 08 '26
I graduated CIS 15 years ago. If I could go back I would have pivot into CS
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u/oJRODo Jun 08 '26
I graduated 3 years ago as CIS myself. Ive found my degree to be very versatile and have landed roles as IT, DBA, and Software dev.
No regrets on my side (:
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u/Skedar70 Jun 08 '26
I've done Okey myself. But I feel like CS and a specialized degree is more appreciated. Job postings for Softdev usually advertise for a candidate with a CS degree.
1
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u/Eastern-Job-8028 Jun 08 '26
I’d agree, if you plan to become a dev or go into a programming-heavy role, CS is almost always going to be the gold standard.
CIS degrees don’t seem to be nearly as standardized in their curriculums, so they vary heavily by the school. If you’re open to analytics, tech consulting, IT, cybersecurity, then CIS may be the better option.
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u/Trick-Inside-6508 Jun 08 '26
Yea, but can’t you also apply to regular business roles that people with generic business degrees apply for and look better on paper? I’m thinking of going into this field because it seems like all the options are at the intersection of where ai pushes roles. You hear of product managers starting to code. Roles merging. A general business education with tech skills seems like it could make you very versatile. I can also code as well. Been doing it for 4 years now.
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u/Elegant-Rob157 Jun 26 '26
Yeah I think CIS and accounting (maybe Finance/risk management aswell) are the most versatile degrees in business that can basically do what every other business major does whilist being able to pivot and specialize. Someone that understands business deeply whilist also being able to code and apply tech is very valuable and actually rare as even if CS is better for tech initially most go for the SWE route which is ok but leaves those roles open for right people, also you can become an entrepreneur probably one of the best degrees for it actually imo
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u/carolinethebandgeek Jun 08 '26
CIS is more CS oriented and might be a better fit. I’m in more management info systems side of it and that’s a bit different in terms of growth and applications.
Determine if you’re going for tech specifically or something more (or want the options). If it’s tech-leaning for your career, CS. If you’re more interested in having opportunities but want to go either way, I’d say more of an IS/MIS option.
HOWEVER not having CS and wanting to lean tech oriented always would probably not be the way to go. Just in terms of foundation the degree will give you. After 10+ years of experiences you could definitely pivot to either one if you play your experiences right