Corrigan

I love computers and technology but I can't stand programming. I've taken courses in Java and basic programming, I originally wanted to be a software engineer but I just can't get into it. I know that CS degrees make great money and have job security but I don't want to spend the next years working and being unhappy.

I saw the MIS Program my school has and it was interesting. I looked over the courses and it sounds right up my alley.

Is an MIS Program actually good? Just so you now I'd really like to get into networking and plan on working on my cisco certs after undergrad school.

Also is a Masters in MIS worth obtaining? UIC has a MIS program that looked interesting.

Also, would a math minor go well with an MIS degree? My school offers one by taking Calc 1 2 3 and Discrete math with 2 other courses.

Thanks

LakeClouds

It depends on the program even more so than CS. Many of the MIS-type tasks have been outsourced. However, there is still a large pool of MIS (IT) jobs out there. Make sure you're getting real-world skills and check with the placement office up-front about how grads are doing from your school.

rps1073

I'm a CIS major but they're pretty much the same or at least similar enough. Anyway, MIS is in my opinion a great degree, but how far it gets you kind of depends on what career path you're going for. 81% of the CIS grads at my university in 2009 were employed at graduation and average starting salary was like $53k (Granted though that I go to a pretty small business school).

With most MIS/CIS degrees, you're going to a degree that's pretty technical, but also very business focused which is pretty much the draw of it in my opinion. You'll learn object-oriented programming/application development (Java, etc.), database management (MS Access/SQL), a bit of IT infrastructure, system analysis, project management, etc. But beyond technical skills, you'll also learn your Macro/Micro economics, accounting, marketing, management that you would with another business degree.

Now I think MIS tends to get some flak (mostly from software engineers) because the degree isn't as heavily technical as CS and is much much more business focused. But I think that's the whole point of the degree. If you're trying to get a software engineering job as an MIS major, good luck going against a bunch of other CS grads who definitely know a lot more than you do.

But I think the main spot where MIS grads can succeed is in more business focused positions, such as a Consultant or as a Business/Systems Analyst. Someone who knows enough business knowledge to take a problem and create an economically feasible idea, and also know enough technical knowledge to translate that idea into an actual IT project.

As for going into networking especially with a crazy competitive company like Cisco, ehhh I really don't know about that one. I'm not really sure how good your chances would be in getting a Networking job with an MIS degree. Like I said, it's more so tailored towards Analyst positions. To be honest, Cisco came to a university I transferred out of for a meet and greet presentation and almost every single one of the college students at the presentation were Computer & Electrical Engineering majors (except me haha).

discoinferno

Keep in mind that while at some schools, MIS and CIS are practically the same thing, at others they're VERY different (with CIS being business + hardcore C++ programming and MIS being business + general IT). It varies wildly.

You've got a much higher chance of studying "CS" stuff like object-oriented programming in a CIS program than an MIS program.