An investigation of preparedness and importance of mis competencies: research in progress

ABSTRACT

MIS programs are facing significant challenges: employment opportunities for graduates are greatly expanding, the number of enrolled students is dropping, and graduates face rapid changes in technologies and business environments. This paper describes results from a pilot survey that provides a glimpse into perceived differences between what MIS graduates learned in their degree program and the requirements of their jobs. Preliminary results indicate that a healthy mix of non-technical and technical skills is what is required by the job market. If MIS programs focus on providing a healthy balance of these skills, then MIS graduates will be well-prepared.

REFERENCES

• 1: Andrew Aken , Michael D. Michalisin, The impact of the skills gap on the recruitment of MIS graduates, Proceedings of the 2007 ACM SIGMIS CPR conference on Computer personnel research: The global information technology workforce, April 19-21, 2007, St. Louis, Missouri, USA [doi>10.1145/1235000.1235025]
• 2: John Skip Benamati, Current and future entry-level IT workforce needs in organizations, Proceedings of the 2007 ACM SIGMIS CPR conference on Computer personnel research: The global information technology workforce, April 19-21, 2007, St. Louis, Missouri, USA [doi>10.1145/1235000.1235024]
• 3: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. 2006. Occupational Projections and Training Data, 2006-07 Edition. On the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/emp/optd/optdtabiv_1.pdf (visited October 15, 2007).
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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Accreditation

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education; Information systems education; Curriculum

General Terms:
Human Factors, Management

Keywords:
ISA certification, curriculum, workforce needs