Why students choose MIS: what makes a major-job-career in management information systems interesting?

ABSTRACT

Students choose a major based on a number of factors, with interest in the subject matter consistently being important. Given declining MIS enrollments at our university, we seek to understand our students' selection of a major so that we may take appropriate steps to address the decline. Besides understanding our situation better, we seek to contribute to the literature by developing a deeper understanding of what is meant by interest in the major. Our research is guided by the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Our primary focus is to examine students' expected outcomes that lead to attitudes, with a particular focus on aspects of an MIS major that generate interest in the major. We will use open-ended survey questions and conduct qualitative interviews with students at our university, including new and returning students, MIS and non-MIS majors. Results will be reported at the conference.

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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: Curriculum

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Information systems education
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Staffing

General Terms:
Management

Keywords:
interest in mis, is enrollment, major selection, student recruitment, vocational interest