The skills possessed by Information Systems graduates are an invaluable resource for employers across a huge range of industries. After all, you’d be hard-pressed to find an organisation that doesn’t rely on design, implementation and IT management, to some extent. Therefore, an Information Systems graduate has a vast array of exciting employment prospects. Across private, public and not-for-profit sectors, the services provided by an Information Systems graduate are indispensable.
So, why are Information Systems grads in such demand and what do they have to look forward to?
1. The number of tech-jobs is higher than ever
The World Economic Forum has predicted that, worldwide, tech-jobs across all sectors will gain a significant boost by the end of the decade. In the first quarter of 2017, the job postings in the technological market reached over 365,000. This marks an increase of nearly 90,000 job advertisements since Q4 of 2016. Of the 2.7 million job posts in this quarter, 14% of available positions were technology based.
This growth is occurring on a global scale. Graham Hunter, vice president for Europe and the Middle East at CompTIA, has advised the UK on how to maintain their currently thriving digital economy in light of Brexit. Hunter explained: “With Article 50 now being triggered and the process of the UK leaving the EU now underway, we will have to demonstrate to organisations outside the UK that we have the ability to remain competitive in the global market.”
The importance of operating within the global marketplace gives an innate advantage to Information Systems graduates who have mastered another language. Recruiting experts, Eursap, when advising on the issue of gaining employment in SAP, explain that, “Speaking the local office language or the language spoken at one of the client’s subsidiaries could be a big differentiator.”
Particularly useful second languages include German and Mandarin. Whilst English remains the global language of business, Germany is the home of SAP. Information Systems graduates may want to follow suit in tapping into Germany’s stable economy. Furthermore, China is being marked out by the Bill McDermott as a ‘second home’ for SAP, and it’s no wonder – the country remains a leading light in the technological world. But an aptitude for any foreign language is going to help an Information Systems graduate expand their influence globally.
2. They’re valuable across sectors
Computer systems analysts are needed at every level of enterprise and across a variety of industries. Systems analysts might work with business, accounting, financial or engineering systems, providing cost-benefit and return-on-investment analysis.
With these valuable services in their repertoire, it’s no wonder that the growth for computer systems analysts is expected to climb by 21% through 2024.
Computer systems analysts can use their knowledge to provide services beyond the troubleshooting of technical problems and the installation of digital systems. They can train other workers in how to use the programmes or software they’ve implemented or maintained, helping companies to keep abreast of the technological revolution.
3. There’s a chance to specialise
Whilst systems analysts can offer a range of services to a wide spectrum of industries, it can sometimes be wiser to opt for a niche platform within a single industry. A specific appeal can help with personal marketing and targeted networking.
General services can be useful, and being a well-rounded Information Systems graduate is obviously going to be beneficial. But, the growing number of freelancers and independent contractors has created a competitive environment in which it’s becoming increasingly important to stand out.
Some Information Systems graduates may opt for self-employment, relying on the ICT sectors that employ contractors. Others will join a staffing body of technicians, programmers or database administrators. There are also managerial positions available to system analysts. Information systems managers are put in charge of other members of staff and take on overall responsibility for the computer systems within a company.
Further qualifications will allow an Information Systems graduate to provide expertise in sectors such as business management, computer science, information science and software engineering. Such additional skills might give graduates an edge in this growing industry.
Information Systems graduates, at every level, have something unique and useful to bring to an enterprise. As technology develops, so will their skillset. A degree in Information Systems is the first step in a lifelong learning process.
