Careers In Computer Information Systems 2008-2009
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The document summarizes entry-level positions and internships for computer information systems (CIS) majors to consider, including application analyst, business systems analyst, data analyst/report writer, data architect, data modeler, data security analyst/risk analyst, desktop support analyst, e-commerce analyst, electronic data interchange (EDI) specialist, help desk, IT auditor, mainframe systems programmer, network security administrator, quality assurance analyst/tester, software developer, software engineer, technical writer, and web administrator. It provides brief descriptions of the typical responsibilities for each role.
Careers In Computer Information Systems 2008-2009
- 1. BENTLEY UNIVERSITY Careers in Computer Information Systems Bentley’s Class of 2008 CIS majors reported an average starting salary of $65,500. This is 28% greater than the Miller Center for class average! Undergraduate Career Services LaCava Building, 270 (From salary surveys reported at graduation) 781-891-2375
- 3. Entry-level positions and internships for CIS majors to consider Application Analyst implement, coordinate and maintain enterprisewide data architecture; provide Supports a given application or applications. leadership in establishing and documenting This may include programming, some data standards; create and test database system administration skills, and the ability prototypes to analyze a given problem, diagnose it and find its root cause, and then either solve it or pass the problem on to the relevant Data Modeler departments Analyze organizational data requirements Business Systems Analyst and create logical and physical models of Analyze business application requirements data flow; interview key project for functional areas such as finance, stakeholders, document findings and make manufacturing, marketing or human detailed recommendations; work with resources. Analysts write code, test and database administrators and reporting debug software applications; teams to ensure the availability of recommend system changes standard and ad hoc data and enhancements; reporting in a production document software environment; address specifications and train “I feel the strength of being a data-quality issues with users clients and CIS major is that the courses management Data Analyst/Report cover a large spectrum – Writer coding, project management, Analyze complex data systems and database experience, and Data Security document data networking. Bentley sends out Analyst/Risk elements, data business oriented CIS majors. Analyst flow, relationships I had four job offers by Perform security and dependencies; audits, risk develop automated November of my senior year.” assessment and and reusable routines for extracting (May 2008 Bentley CIS analysis; make recommendations for requested information graduate) enhancing data from database systems, systems security; compile detailed reports research attempted using data reporting tools, breaches of data security and and make recommendations rectify security weaknesses; based on findings; work in partnership formulate security policies and procedures with business analysts, data architects and database developers to build data transactional and warehousing systems Desktop Support Analyst Data Architect Maintain an inventory of installed software, Understand and evaluate business manage software licensing, and create requirements and translate those into policies and procedures for upgrades; work specific database solutions; create data with hardware and software vendors to design models, database architecture and verify timely product delivery and ensure data repository design; work with the that new equipment is installed and set up systems and database administration staff to on schedule; analyze and make recommendations for hardware and software standardization; create user accounts and manage access control based on company policies
- 4. E-Commerce Analyst Analyze business and user requirements and make recommendations regarding the design and development of web-based e- commerce solutions; coordinate work with web designers and other technical specialists for the implementation of e- commerce websites; test and evaluate e- commerce site performance and monitor site analytics Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Specialist Implement and monitor EDI systems, including data mapping, translation and interface; coordinate relations and serve as liaison to internal users, vendors and other external partners with respect to data interchange standards; perform system testing and quality control checks; develop and maintain EDI documentation Help Desk Network Security Administrator Take initial telephone or e-mail inquires and Implement network security policies and troubleshoot and manage relatively simple procedures; administer and maintain hardware, software or network problems to firewalls; manage, monitor and update virus more complex issues requiring detailed prevention systems; monitor security systems and applications knowledge. advisory groups to ensure all necessary IT Auditor network security updates; patches and Test and evaluate IT systems and controls preventative measures are in place; perform for conformity with industry standards of intrusion detection analysis efficiency, accuracy and security; provide Quality Assurance Analyst/Tester independent verification in connection with Develop and execute software test plans; the Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) identify and facilitate issue resolution with No. 70 reporting requirements, Sarbanes- functional and technical groups; manage Oxley Act compliance and similar software beta test programs; document test regulations; make recommendations for results. systems operations and process improvements and present them to senior management; develop risk-based audit plans Mainframe Systems Programmer Design logic, write code, test and debug mainframe computer applications; install and implement programs and upgrades; diagnose and resolve problems in coordination with other technical team members; document procedures for mainframe configuration and operation
- 5. systems testing; ensure integrity and confidentiality of sensitive data Software Developer Technical Writer Code, test and debug programs according to Document the specifications, design, computer engineering specifications; modify, features and operation of applications; write expand and update applications; and edit user manuals, help systems and communicate with a team that includes other technical documents; design and analysts, engineers and quality assurance format document using document-creation testers in order to coordinate and document software; interview applications developers application development and testing; and other technical resource personnel to develop software prototypes ensure the accuracy of all information Software Engineer presented Design and create engineering specifications for software programs and Web Administrator applications; work with quality assurance to Install, customize, update and maintain develop software test plans; collaborate with corporate internal and external web pages hardware engineers to assess and test and sites; create and analyze reports on hardware and software interaction; web activity, number of hits, traffic patterns implement a specific development and similar performance metrics; monitor methodology; document software customer feedback and respond to inquiries; specifications recommend network, server, and related Staff Consultant equipment and software upgrades and Assist with project planning and requirement improvements. specifications; develop prototypes and Web Designer alternatives in coordination with other team Work with design teams, marketing and members; execute and deliver projects developers to create a consistent and within time and budget constraints; compelling visual style for a company’s understand client needs and develop and website; design and format web pages; test maintain excellent client relations and troubleshoot web page features; create Systems Administrator artwork to appear on web pages Install operating system software, patches Web Developer and upgrades; analyze, troubleshoot, and Web developers engineer Internet-specific resolve system hardware, software and software to post and update information on networking issues; configure, optimize, fine- websites. Instead of working in a tune, and monitor operating system software programming language, developers use and servers; perform system backups and markup languages such as HTML and recovery; conduct server builds JavaScript to create pages of text, images, Systems Analyst and hyperlinks for site visitors to use. The systems analyst is the middleman, assessing the needs of the end-user and translating them into programming or working with other departments to develop the programming. What are the business requirements? Who will comprise the user community? How large is the application going to be? Will it be internal or external? These are all questions facing the systems * The information above was taken from a analyst number of sources including: Wetfeet.com, Wikipedia and Princeton Review.com. Reviewing these websites, e-Recruiting job Systems Security Administrator postings, and Bentley’s career services website Create, modify and delete user accounts; can help you gain knowledge of the career that is monitor systems security and respond to right for you! security incidents; participate in security
- 6. What is the best way to obtain a position in the industry? If you have not done so already, get registered on eRecruiting. For the 2007/2008 academic year, there were more than 1,800 internship positions and almost 1,500 full-time opportunities for undergraduates posted on e-Recruiting. There is no more efficient means for identifying opportunities. However, this industry requires students to be especially proactive about seeking potential opportunities on their own. For additional tips on job search strategies, visit the Center for Career Services or attend one of our workshops. Get some experience. This is the most effective means for obtaining a full-time job. Job shadowing, summer internships (whether paid or unpaid), externships, part- time work during the school year, and even volunteering your services are all excellent ways to gain resume enhancing experience. Who do you know? Networking is a vital skill when it comes to the job search. Consider your friends, classmates, upperclassmen, family, friends of the family, faculty, administration, FalconNet…the list goes on and on! Also, The Center for Career Services hosts a large number of networking opportunities throughout the year—you should be at these! Be sure to attend the “CIS Presents” events hosted by the CIS faculty. Get involved. In addition to students who are academically strong and have good work experience, employers seek students who participate in on-campus activities or community service. Join a club, work part- time in Web Services, or be a CIS tutor. Do something to demonstrate that you are an effective leader and team player.
- 7. reading periodicals, trade journals, attending Join FalconNet - FalconNet enables you to trade shows and anything else you can do to leverage the professional knowledge and stay abreast of your field of interest. experience of your fellow students and Create a portfolio. You need something to alumni. showcase your talents and serve as a With FalconNet, you will be able to: reminder to both you and the prospective Build professional relationships with employers of that which you are capable. fellow students and alumni that can help Have you redesigned a website or you “get your foot in the door” at top-tier programmed software? A portfolio is an organizations in your specific field of effective tool for cataloguing your interest achievements. Get the real scoop on what internships Be persistent. It is not easy to obtain these and full-time jobs are like at positions, especially in today’s economy. organizations across the country and Unlike some large accounting or throughout the world finance programs, most Be better prepared for interviews by organizations are not hiring learning the types of questions in large numbers and companies ask in a first, second or final so timing can be round of interviews everything. Stick with it—the positions Join professional discussion groups with are out there—you just students and alumni on a wide range of need to find them. topics from majors/minors to salary negotiations Open your mind. Don’t immediately close the door to any opportunity. Think To join, go to www.bentley.edu/falconnet. It you would never want to takes just minutes to fill out a short profile work in Quality Assurance? and get connected to the latest technology Speak to Bentley alumni who in career building for college students. Be a are doing it right now. Make part of the FalconNet community and realize sure you understand every role the power of networking. before you cross it off your list of potential careers. Stay up-to-date. Computer technology is constantly changing. You must keep up-to- date with all the recent developments by
- 8. Questions will vary depending upon the specific position you are pursuing but, generally speaking, you can expect the interviewer to focus on any or all of these core competencies: Analytical Capabilities, Logic, Detail Oriented, Patience, Multi-Tasking, Team Player, Oral and Written Communication Skills, Customer Service. Sample Interview Questions 1. Why are you interested in x? Why this company? 2. Give me an example of a time that you created a new technique for an already familiar task. 3. Give me an example of a time that you were forced to work under very strict deadlines? 4. Give me an example of a time in which you were successful juggling many tasks at the same time. How did you prioritize your work and what was the final outcome? 5. Tell me about a time when you had to develop client relationships. 6. What role do you typically assume in a team environment? 7. If you had committed to attend your mother’s birthday party but found yourself in the middle of an important project, how might you handle this? 8. Describe a time at work when you had a significant impact on a situation. 9. How have you handled assignments in the past when you have been given little to no information or guidance? 10. Why should I hire you over the many other candidates we are currently considering? 11. Give me an example of a time in which you were truly creative. 12. Give me an example of a time when you had to work with a particularly difficult or irate customer. 13. Give me an example of a time in which you received criticism. 14. Give me an example of a time when you took a risk and failed. 15. Give me an example of a time when you used sound analytical reasoning to resolve a problem.
- 9. Selected companies recruiting CIS majors in recent years include: ADVANCED VISUAL SYSTEMS GRANT THORNTON AETNA, INC. HARTE HANKS DATA TECHNOLOGY ALLMERICA FINANCIAL IBM CORPORATION ANALOG DEVICES, INC. INTERNODED, INCORPORATED AOL TIME WARNER BOOK GROUP INTUIT ATHENAHEALTH.COM JOHN HANCOCK FINANCIAL SERVICES BOSE CORPORATION JOHNSON & JOHNSON BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL CENTER JP MORGAN CHASE & CO. BOSTON CANNONS KPMG, LLP BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN & CO. LIBERTY MUTUAL COMPUTER SCIENCE CORPORATION LTX CORPORATION CORETELLIGENT MEDITECH DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP MONSTER DELOITTE CONSULTING MORGAN STANLEY DIGITAS OSRAM SYLVANIA, INC. EMC CORPORATION PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS EPSILON DATA MANAGEMENT PROTIVITI ENTERCOM BOSTON PUTNAM INVESTMENTS ERNST & YOUNG LLP RAYTHEON COMPANY EVERYNETWORK SAPIENT EZE CASTLE SOFTWARE SPANTECH SOFTWARE, INC. FIDELITY INVESTMENTS STAPLES, INC. FIRST MARBLEHEAD SUNGARD HIGHER EDUCATION GARTNER GROUP TERADYNE GENERAL ELECTRIC THE TRAVELERS COMPANIES, INC. GENZYME CORPORATION TRINITY PARTNERS, INC. GILLETTE COMPANY UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP GORTON'S