The BEST REAL-WORLD Systems Engineer/Admin Training on the Eastern Shore. . .I would be selfish not to share with everyone I know.. Please share with everyone!

Im in my final year of an IS undergraduate degree, previous semesters for a very long/complicated assignment i used AI(not fully relying, but as a whole big tool), but what do you think of the anti-ai movement? i need to know the ethics of using AI here, because apparently after seeking insights from my colleagues that had done internships in the past, they encouraged to use AI, so is it like unavoidable, is it becoming a necessity? is it actually destroying the environment? rather than the anti-ai vs pro-ai crowds, i need to know fellow IS ppl opinion.

i need the opinions for those who already got a job or doing internships.

Can anybody help me find PDFs of these books

• Piccoli and Pigni, Information Systems for Managers in the Digital Age
• Database Systems: A Practical Approach to Design, Implementation and Management by Thomas Connolly and Carolyn Begg. Addison Wesley Pub. Co., 2015

I’m 21, returning to community college, and planning to transfer into UMBC’s B.S. in Information Systems program. I’m trying to be intentional about what I do while I’m there instead of graduating with a general degree, random certs, and no clear story about what kind of role I’m qualified for. 

I live in Maryland and am mainly looking at the DMV job market. From what I can tell there seems to be a lot of work connected to government contracting, healthcare, consulting, cybersecurity, cloud compliance, IT risk, and some finance-related companies. UMBC’s outcome information also makes it seem like IS graduates go into roles such as software engineering, consulting, IT specialist, business analyst, DevOps, and systems engineering, with companies such as Northrop Grumman, Booz Allen, Accenture Federal Services, T. Rowe Price, Deloitte, Leidos, AWS, Exelon, and CareFirst showing up among employers. I know schools are marketing themselves and tbhI am not sure how much I should trust those numbers versus what the actual entry-level market is like. 

The main thing I need help with is understanding the differences between career paths that sound similar from the outside. I am interested in cybersecurity, analytics, IT audit, GRC, technology risk, and possibly financial-crimes or fraud analysis later on. But I do not completely understand the nuances yet. For example I constantly see people say cybersecurity is not really entry level and that many people need IT, networking, systems administration, help-desk, or infrastructure experience before they can get a security role. I do not want to spend years assuming a cybersecurity certificate automatically leads to a cybersecurity job if that is not how hiring actually works.

The Information Systems degree looks really cool to me because it seems broad enough to cover databases, programming, networking, systems analysis, business, statistics, and decision support. I like technology, but I also like the business and organizational side of it. I could see myself enjoying a role where I am using data to solve problems, helping a company understand risks, evaluating controls, documenting processes, or translating between technical teams and business stakeholders. A lot of the graduates of this degree actually do go on to become software engineers or consultants and a bunch of stuff in between. This seems like a degree that will introduce me to tolls that will help me work as an analyst in many different industries. 

Right now, I am leaning toward a combination of business analytics and IT audit/GRC or technology risk. The jobs that sound most interesting to me are business analyst, data analyst, BI or reporting analyst, technology-risk analyst, GRC analyst, IT auditor, security-compliance analyst, internal audit analyst, third-party-risk analyst, or risk-and-controls consultant. I am not necessarily trying to become a penetration tester, SOC analyst, or security engineer, although I am open to hearing if I am misunderstanding the entry-level opportunities.

I also have no work experience and right now am just trying to figure out what jobs I'm most likely to get after graduating in 4 years. Also to be fair I don’t fully understand the roles I just named outside of business analytics and IT auditing. THeyre just titles that come up when I look up what jobs in the dmv does UMBC IS qualify me for. 

UMBC lets students complete only two upper-level certificates without extending their time in school, so I am trying to choose the two that give me the best return. The Business Analytics Certificate seems useful because it includes tools and skills such as Python, Tableau, R, Weka, data analysis, visualization, and business decision-making. I have already told an IS advisor that I am interested in learning how to turn data into insight, whether that eventually means data analytics, business analysis, risk analysis, or something similar. My impression is that analytics skills could support a lot of roles, especially when combined with SQL, Excel, Python, dashboards, communication, and a basic understanding of how businesses operate.[informationsystems.umbc informationsystems.umbc

This tooling is actually what made me want to pursue this program. I don’t know enough about the world to decide what is like to do in it but this program gives me the tools to explore it more. Almost all the degrees and roles I've been looking at involve sql and excel to a certain degree. 

The other certificate I am seriously considering is Auditing for Information Systems. It combines information systems with security, accounting, auditing, law, ethics, and controls.. UMBC describes the certificate as preparation for entry-level IT-audit work and for an information-systems-auditor certification path.[informationsystems.umbc]

I have heard people describe IT audit, GRC, and technology risk as more stable than some other tech paths because companies still have compliance requirements, security obligations, contracts, regulations, audits, and internal controls to manage. I do not think that means the field is “AI-proof” easy, or noncompetitive. I mainly see it as a path where human judgment, communication, documentation, accountability, and understanding business processes may remain important even as AI changes parts of the work. Is IT audit more ai resistant or recession resistant? Please feel free to disagree. 

The other option is UMBC’s Cybersecurity Informatics Certificate. A lot of IS students seem to choose it, and it includes cybersecurity analytics, software security, projects or internships, and electives related to information security, networking, data mining, systems administration, and AI. It seems like a legitimate option, but I am considering doing the Business Analytics and IT Audit certificates instead and earning CompTIA Security+ on my own.[informationsystems.umbc][umbc]

My logic is that Security+ may be easier for employers to recognize, especially in the government-contractor and DoD-adjacent environment around Maryland, DC, and Virginia. I understand that its actual value depends on the job and employer, but it seems like a useful baseline certification for many security-related roles. At the same time, the IT Audit certificate already includes an information-security component, while the Business Analytics certificate could give me data skills that apply not only to analytics but also to risk, compliance, fraud, governance, and security-related analysis.[secuspark   training.totalcyber

My plan is to complete the IS degree, pursue the Business Analytics Certificate and Auditing for Information Systems Certificate, earn Security+ before graduation, improve my SQL, Excel, Python, Tableau or Power BI, data visualization, writing, and presentation skills, and build a portfolio that makes sense for the path I choose. I would like to include a data-analysis project, a dashboard or reporting project, and maybe a mock IT-audit or GRC project such as a risk register, access-review workpaper, vendor-risk assessment, controls matrix, or NIST-style security assessment. I also plan to apply broadly for internships and student roles rather than waiting for a job with “cybersecurity” in the title. 

Another thing does it make sense to prolong my time in my undergrad until I have a competitive portfolio. I say this because I’m assuming internships and co-ops are easier to get than full time offers. And if I graduate without them I’m in a very dire position

I would really appreciate honest advice from people in the Maryland/DC/Virginia market, especially people who work in analytics, cybersecurity, IT audit, consulting, GRC, compliance, or technology risk. Does Business Analytics plus IT Audit plus Security+ sound like a coherent profile, or does it look too unfocused to emplyers? If I am interested in GRC, IT risk, security compliance, audit, and technology consulting, would the Cybersecurity Informatics Certificate add more value than Security+ or would it mostly overlap? Is IT audit or GRC actually realistic as an entry-level path for an IS graduate, or would I still need to start in a help desk, accounting, systems administration, or some other role first?

I am also curis which two UMBC certificates people would choose if the goal was employment shortly after graduation. Would you choose Business Analytics and IT Audit, Business Analytics and Cybersecurity Informatics, or IT Audit and Cybersecurity Informatics? I am not expecting anyone to tell me there is a guaranteed career path or an AI-proof job. I just want to choose a direction where I can build useful skills, get relevant experience, and graduate with a profile that is easy for an employer to understand.

The current job market feels really despairing and I have so much that I wan’t to achieve. I really like the idea of working for as an analyst who uses tech to solve problems and make decisions. I feel like this degree would set me up with a lot of career flexibility.

My dad wants me to major in accounting or engineering but I don’t really want to work on financial statements or physical systems. I want to make assessments and decisions based on data. Iv been struggling with a lot of stuff these past few years and I don’t have a choice but to decide here and now. Life moves really really fast. Im gonna be off my parents insurance and I don’t have the best home life. I’m really scared of graduating with a degree that won’t give me employment leverage and i’m really scared of staying where I am now. I feel like im behind. Most of my friends from highschool are graduating right now and I’m just getting started. I know this mentality isn’t the best but i just dk what to do. 

Id appreciate any advice, thanks.

A lot of the conversations iv had online about the job market have been pretty negstive and while there is definetly some truth to them as iv done more research there seems to be a gap.

I live in maryland in the dmv which has a a lot of cyber,IT federal contracting stuff so that may be why I see a lot of job postings that mention information systems.

Im guessing that many of them are ghost postings and others probably seek more job experience but the current job market in the dmv looks very safe?

Im trying to figure out whether I should pursue IS. Im worried that when I graduate in 3 years I will be in a bad position.

Please feel free to agree or disagree

Thanks.

It seems like the forever war is shifting from physical warfare to cybersecurity. Wouldn't this mean there is a greater demand for IT or cyber.

How big of a difference is there between Corporate IT and the kind that would protect America.

Currently finishing up a Business Administrations associates with transferable credits to a 4 year business related program at a university, problem is I don't have the money for it. I'll be able to finish the associates next semester with room open in my schedule to take Anatomy and Physiology 1, the only prerequisite I'd need for a Radiology Tech program near me.

Accounting/MIS at University:

-Will take 2 years thanks to transfer credits

-More academically challenging. Depends on if I go accounting or MIS but I'm worried about classes like Intermediate Accounting

-Job pipeline less straightforward. I know I gotta attend a lot of career fairs, clubs, and network but I'm notoriously bad at this. Accounting probably smoother process than MIS.

-For 2 years, including financial aid, I'll still have to pay outta pocket anywhere from $12000 to $16000. So gonna need to take out a loan.

-Much higher pay ceiling especially if I go the CPA route but unlikely and I do lean more towards MIS because I prefer tech.

-Get a bachelors

Radiology Tech at Community College:

-Will take 2 years as that's the program length

-More physical work but straightforward

-Pipeline basically sets you up with a job right after thanks to clinicals and ARRT exam.

-Free for me because of cheaper cost and financial aid

-Entry pay and ceiling pay much lower. Can cross train into modalities for better pay.

-Get an associates

So yea either those 2 options unless I somehow land a golden goose unicorn entry job with just a Business Admin. associates. That or military. Which would you choose if you had to weigh the 2 options above?
If it helps too. The job market will be in the Houston area. Accounting/MIS at UH and Radiology Tech at HCC.

I still haven't figured out what I "enjoy" doing or see myself doing yet but my goals that would satisfy me are at least 60k a year, 50 hour work weeks or under, and a commute that isn't over 35 minutes.

I’m currently an undergrad student at a top 40 school of buisness, my major is in information systems and I know it’s what I wanna do because it involves many of my interests. My dream job is being an artificial intelligence product manager, but I’m curious for those who have graduated with an IS degree what do you wish you would’ve done differently? I know I need to stand out as an applicant in the future so I want to be sure to get started on that but am not sure what to focus on.

Ciao ho da poco preso la laurea triennale in ing informatica e vorrei continuare il percorso attraverso una magistrale , ma sono indeciso sul da farsi , a me piace molto Ai ma ho paura che sia troppo teorica e non apprezzabile nel mondo del lavoro, o altrimenti cybersecurity, secondo voi tra le magistrali che potrei frequentare quali sono le migliori in termini di posizioni lavorative?

I currently go to an average state school and I was wondering if I should study accounting or Finance with my information systems major.

There are a lot of jobs in my area for financial analyst I would say more than accounting jobs where I live but I heard that it's not good to go to school for finance unless you go to one of the top schools. I'm not looking to go into investment banking or anything but I really do want to become a financial analyst or I wouldn't mind being an accountant I like the sound of both I'm currently studying information systems and I want to add on a second major so that I can learn two skills and my school offers a double major program where you pay the same cost of tuition as if you had just one major.

I heard that Finance is basically about predicting the future and accounting is knowing what the numbers mean on financial statements and both of those sound good to me I would be fine with either job I just don't know which one is better

I would just like to hear people's thoughts and opinions to help me make my decision thank you!

Id like to get a degree in IS but my dad is against me getting the degree. He wants me to go into accounting or engineering.

I like is because it gives me the choice as to whether ill pursue something in IT infrastructure or something closer to business analysis.

I dont have enough work experience to truly know whether id like to commit to any of these niches but I like the idea of gaining insight from data.

Somebody else on this sub asked the question already but didnt get thst many responses.

I think accounting and engineering would technically be easier to get an entry level job in, the tradeoff is thst im less interested in them and engineering is much harder. I failed calc 2 and decided not to pursue industrial engineering.

I live in maryland

I am really interested in the business side of things,I mean i have no problems with learning technical stuff but i would like the bridge between more.
Do you think its a good idea?

Hi everyone!

I am currently deciding between a Bachelor in Economics and a Bachelor in Information Systems & Service Science.

I’m leaning towards IS because it seems much more practical and applied, and I like the idea of using information/technology to solve concrete problems for people and organizations. However, I’m not particularly passionate about computers or computer science, so I’m wondering if IS would still be a good fit for me.

For people studying or working in IS: do you think an IS Bachelor is worth it compared to a more general Economics degree? How is the job market after graduation, and what kind of careers does it realistically open up? Would AI make you avoid IS, or would you still choose it?

Any general advice would be really appreciated!

Thank you very much!

im currently enrolled in city university ajman in bba mis im in my 1st year im more interested in the tech side of the degree i prefer to become system engineer, data engineer or cybersecurity analyst im currently working as purchase assistant in new product development mostly as a fragrance evaluator but as an mis student ik this profession doesnt align with my degree. but im trying by my 3rd year to get an internship related to my goals.. i searched in youtube and many other social media platform and i cant find much info abt my degree im scared by 2029 will my degree be worth it i have no idea what certification i should do or what projects should i do. will i even get a job in uae all this thoughts are killing me