Given what you've learned since you've been out of school and working, has your Major/Career choice been worth it?
Hello Sir!
Yes, absolutely - I have no regrets whatsoever.
My undergraduate degree is a B.S. in Management Information Systems (MIS).
Initially I pursued a B.S. in Biology, but switched majors at the end of my junior year.
OVERVIEW:
The reason I think a MIS degree is a good bet for anyone is as follows.
Like any degree, the first 60 hours are the same, essentially what constitutes an A.A. at most community colleges - or
"general education requirements" at 4-year universities.
The MIS major
(~60 hours) is most easily defined as follows:
--> (~40%) Like any degree from a university's college of business there are core requirements
(accounting, finance, marketing, management, business law, etc)
--> (~60%) Core classes specific to application of computer science toward solving business problems
(Systems analysis & design, telecommunications, relational database theory, COBOL, C, C++, Visual Basic, Java, Website administration, etc.)
POTENTIAL CAREER PATHS:
Most people who get a MIS degree wind up working in the IT (information technology) industry in some capacity.
Here's what I really like about MIS/IT - The beauty of IT is that it truly takes every skill set imaginable to successfully pull off (and do it well) all phases of the systems development life cycle
(planning, analysis, design, build, test, implement, and support).
You need
"people people" (artisans!), you need techies (rationals!), you need regimented administrators (guardians!) and you also need intuitive dreamers (idylllics!) to help people strive for the perfect
"big blue sky" solution that does everything their clients could ever need it to.
It doesn't matter if you're a writer, a mathematician, a coach & referee, or a visionary - if you have mastery of the core MIS skillset, then you have a place in the IT industry.
You will have a well paying job with fairly good job security, you can work in a myriad of industries, and you have a lot of flexibility and upward mobility if you work hard, be open minded and keep learning.
REFLECTING on MY CAREER THUS FAR:
I began working for a software company that specialized in development of document imaging, records management, and workflow applications
(client server and web-based).
After about a decade I had my fill of
"pure" software development & integration projects and jumped into the health care industry largely by happenchance.
I was recruited as a project manager by the Florida Medicaid program for their statewide health care reform project.
It was an epic crash course of a career change; I went from being one of the better versed people in the room to a complete newbie overnight.
But, one thing you learn as a techie, is to figure things out - so being dropped into a whole new world in an industry you have little to no experience in and having to produce quickly is par for the course.
After 6 years I realized that my public sector health care experience complimented my MIS background and that I had new options in the private sector.
Now I work for a private sector health insurer.
Currently I'm a technical lead for IT implementations.
When a health plan needs to be setup in a new state, or a new type of coverage is being offered in an existing market I'm responsible for making sure that systems, databases, portals and interfaces satisfy the needs of all stakeholders
(customers, co-workers, company, and citizens).
My projects are fast paced, they are complicated, and they are typically high pressure - but that's the type of environment where I am truly at my best, so I love it.
CLOSING REMARKS:
My first job in the IT industry was as an entry level technician, but each year I acquired new skills
(technical writer, instructor, developer, business analyst, project manager, etc.) I took on new roles, learned more and ultimately made more money.
Yes, it took me some time to find my niche in my career - but I can honestly say that I have never been bored, and I've learned so many things that I never thought I would be exposed to as part of any career in a traditional industry.
However, the biggest win for me was finding jobs/projects that allowed me to use my natural skills along with my career experience as a techie.
My advice to anyone is to know yourself, understand your natural skills, and capitalize on your strengths.
I found these things out along the way; save yourself some time and don't be like me!
Figure out which job types
(project coordinator, field technician, network engineer, database administrator, developer, business analyst, or project manager) will allow you to utilize your natural strengths. Tinker with technological tools to solve problems, build a website for fun, just explore and have fun with any tools you have access to - so much amazing stuff is free to use nowadays, it's unbelievable!
Then, get a job, any IT job you can, and try to get onboard with a good company - one known for the quality of its work, and for treating their people well.
If you can do that then you will have more room to grow an amazing career in less time than you ever imagined.
Onward!
umpyouup:
-Halla74
... mmmm... stats 
Anyways, I have friends in English majors being teachers in debt to their eyeballs happy with their lives and careers. Same with art teaching. Neither of them have regrets about the path they chose despite the debt and little pay.
