Top Careers in Information Management

The Information Management degree is in demand in diverse career fields including business intelligence, legal, financial, health and information technology.

Following are top job profiles for MIM graduates -

1) Content Strategist (Median salary $60K)

• required to have skills in content analysis, which focuses on metadata, taxonomy, search engine optimization, and the ways these concepts support content; the development of new forms of marketing content and social media initiatives;
• essential skills include project management, web content management, marketing communications, technical writing, and strategic marketing;
• Job titles - Digital Content Strategist, Content Director, Content Marketer, Content & SEO Strategist.

2) Data Analyst (Median salary $55K)

• need the have knowledge in statistical methods and be able to run algorithms and be familiar with SAS, Data Mining / Data Warehouse, Data Modeling, SQL, and Microsoft SQL Server;
• For the first five to ten years in this position, pay increases somewhat, but any additional experience does not have a big effect on pay.
• Job titles - Data Scientist, Director of Analytics, Business Data Analyst, Traffic Analysis & Marketing, Game Data Analyst, Sales Operation Analyst, Big Data Specialist, Financial Analyst, Digital Media Analyst, Clinical Data & Analytics Specialist

3) Database Developer (Median salary $72K)

• requires to be proficient with one or more database software tools, such as Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server, and with Skills in Oracle DB 8i/9i/10g/ 11i, SQL Server Integration Services, PL/SQL, and ETL;
• Those familiar with Database Development also tend to know Data Analysis.
• Database Developers who have spent more than 20 years on the job report earning a significantly higher median of $97K.
• Job titles - Database Administrator, Database Development Engineer, Data Engineer, SQL Server Developer, Data Architect.

4) Information Architect (Median Salary $88K)

• able to assess organizational and user needs, including users’ information seeking behavior, in a variety of information environments
• expected to understand and/or have previous experience with web technologies, including HTML, XML, Flash, Javascript, relational databases, and general client/server architecture.
• Job titles - Most people move on to other jobs if they have more than 20 years’ experience in this field.

5) IT Project Manager (Median Salary $85K)

• requires strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills, as well as management skills, such as team building, group facilitation, and conflict management
• required to communicate and overcome the professional language barrier the gap between the company’s technology as well as the user teams
• Job titles - Senior Project Manager, Program Manager, Technical Program Manager, Project Engineer

6) User Experience Designer (Median Salary $72K)

• Valuable skills for UX Designers, especially those involved with usability testing, include proficiency with empirical research methods and quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Many people enter the usability design field with a background in computer science, information science, or human-computer interaction, but coursework in cognitive and experimental psychology is also highly relevant to the field.
• A skill in Interaction Design, IT Applications is associated with high pay for this job.
• Job titles - Game UX/UI Designer, Interactive Designer, UX & 3D Designer, Product Designer, User Experience Lead, Lead UI Designer, UX Researcher, Interaction Designer, User Experience Specialist

• Accenture
• Adobe
• American Express
• IBM
• Capgemini
• Capital One
• Cognizant
• Deloitte
• Microsoft
• Fidelity
• J.P. Morgan
• KPMG
• Morgan Stanley
• PriceWaterhouseCoopers
• Verizon
• World Bank

Information Management is the application of information through collection, critical thinking, and interpretation of data. It allows for the accuracy and visualization of organized information for an efficient and effective decision-making process.

Data and information are the main strategic business assets that influence organizational productivity, drive competitive advantage, create efficiency, and are essential for fact-based decision-making.

After stakeholder needs are identified, data is collected, processed and organized. It is then validated and amended to verify that accurate information is derived from the collected data. Data validation ensures the integrity of the attained information while reducing its complexity.

Analysis of the data helps to clarify facts. For example, diagnostic analytics reveals the what and the why, and predictive analytics can help predict future events.

Once the data is analyzed, and the information is extracted, the information is presented to a client through reporting and visualization, allowing proficient comprehension of the outcomes.

Information management professionals are in demand to contribute to high performing teams to maximize the value of information management solutions with a goal of reducing costs while increasing process integrity and efficiency.

The Master of Information Management (MIM) degree prepares you to be a leader in the use of information and technology in any organization.

Drawing from management, computer science, information systems, and information science, the MIM program provides you with the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully meet users’ information needs, lead efforts to develop organizations’ information management capabilities, develop and deploy emerging technologies, and manage high-value information resources.

The specific goals of the MIM program are to -

1. Prepare professionals for leadership positions that bridge the gap between technology-oriented staff, functional personnel, and management;
2. Address the growing need for skilled information professionals who can strategically manage information and technology assets to fulfill critical information needs in organizations;
3. Provide leadership in the information management field through the study of ethical, political, social, and technical issues related to information management in modern society;
4. Assist organizations in the formation of information policies, development and application of information systems and services, and the use of information management technologies and methods.

University of Maryland

Program: Master in Information Management

Why MIM at University of Maryland?

• A cross-disciplinary approach that combines theory and problem-based learning;
• An innovative curriculum that allows students to gain both technical and managerial knowledge that can be applied immediately on the job;
• A diverse group of students who bring varied experiences and perspectives to the classroom and strong connections that can last throughout an entire career;
• A highly respected and involved faculty at top-ranked University of Maryland.
  

As an international you would need GRE (average – 49% Verbal, 81% Quantitative) or GMAT score with a TOEFL score of at least 100. In addition, one or more years of full-time work experience in IT field that might include information technology, management, user experience, project management, business analysis, database management, etc. would help you present a strong application.

What is the curriculum of MIM at University of Maryland?

Successful completion of the MIM degree requires you to complete 36 credit hours of academic work with at least a B average (3.0 GPA). This includes four (4) core courses, two (2) capstone project courses, and six (6) elective courses.

MIM core courses provide a foundation of skills and knowledge related to information, technology, user analysis, and management.

Following are the core courses -

1. Information Environments: An exploration of various models and methodologies used to capture and deploy internal and external information and knowledge in a number of settings; organizational analysis in terms of information creation, flow, sharing, conservation, and application to problem solving; internal and external influences on the management of information and knowledge; various information flows; information management in a variety of settings.
2. information Technology and Organizational Context: Application of communication and information technologies to support work processes, including technology-enhanced communication networks, computer-supported collaborative work, decision-support systems, interactive systems, and systems analysis. Acquisition of information systems and their integration into the organization. 3.** Users and Use Context:** Use of information by individuals. Nature of information. Information behavior and mental models. Characteristics of problems, task analysis, problem solving, and decision making. Methods for determining information behavior and user needs. Information access. Information technology as a tool in information use.
3. Management of Information Programs and Services: Key aspects of management – focusing on planning, organizing, leading and controlling. The evolution of management, innovative management for the changing world, management styles and leadership, managerial planning, goal setting and decision making. Ethical issues, designing adaptive organizations responding to change, global environment, diversity, and utilizing the appropriate technology to provide effective management of information programs and services.
   

MIM students are required to complete six (6) elective courses. The program offers two specialization tracks:

• Information Analysis – with a focus on either Data Analytics or Strategic Management.
• Technology Design – with a focus on either User Experience or Technology Development.

University of Texas Dallas

Program - MS in Information Technology and Management

Need GRE or GMAT score with TOEFL score of at least 80; Minimum 36 credit hours;

Why MS ITM and UT Dallas?

• the breadth and depth of the curriculum and its flexibility with electives in relevant IT topics
• offers opportunities for students with special interests to concentrate in a specific track within the IT area, such as business intelligence and analytics, enterprise systems, cyber security management, IT consulting and services management or healthcare systems.
• STEM designated program
• The Master of Science in Information Technology and Management (MS ITM) degree program consists of basic business courses, IT foundation courses, IT elective courses and other electives.

University of South Florida

Program - MS in Management Information System (also called Business Analytics and Information Systems, BAIS)

33 credit hours (full-time students may complete in 1 year)

Why MIS / BAIS at University of South Florida?

• Designed for individuals who are challenged by applications of Information Systems and Information Technology and who are willing to undertake a career that demands a broad rather than narrow range of skills
• Graduates of the program are in great demand by firms in the information services sector of the economy, software development organisations, management consultants, and MIS departments in industry
• An advisor will work closely with each student to design and monitor the most effective course sequence and optional thesis/practicum work.

What is the curriculum of MIS / BAIS at University of South Florida?
Following are the four technical core courses with 12 credits:

1. Advanced Systems Analysis and Design - Students learn to manage and perform activities throughout an information systems development life cycle, from the analysis of system requirements through system design to system implementation and operation. Advanced system development processes, methods, and tools are presented. This course is continually revised to include the latest theories and tools. A group project using advanced CASE tools is an integral portion of the course.

2. Advanced Database Administration - Advanced practice and research in database systems, to include entity-relationship modeling, relational databases, object-oriented databases, performance issues, and management of the database administration (DBA) function. State-of-the-art database systems will be used for individual and group projects.

3. Distributed Information Systems - Students learn technological as well as managerial aspects of telecommunication systems and distributed systems. Important topics covered include telecommunications fundamentals, voice and data communications, local and wide area networks, Internet, wireless technologies, and distributed systems..

4. Operations and Supply Chain Processes - Students learn several aspects of Operations management, a discipline in business concerned with managing the transformation of inputs into outputs, with a special emphasis on business processes and business process improvement.

There is a capstone course with 3 credit called Enterprise Information Systems Management: An advanced study of information system management to include system planning, project selection, project management, and organizational information management policies. This course is the capstone of the MS/MIS program and as such it must be taken during one of the last two semesters of the student’s program.

Six of following elective courses may be selected - Software Architecture, Seminar on Software Testing, Data Warehousing, Managing the Info Systems Function, International Aspects of Info Systems, Decision Support Systems Applications, Electronic Commerce, Independent Study, Selected Topics in MIS, Thesis: Masters, Project Management, Data Mining, Statistical Data Mining, Data Warehousing, Web Application Development, Information Security and Risk Management, Enterprise Resource Planning & Bus Process Management

For Business Intelligence track, four of the following electives should be selected: Data Mining, Advanced Database Systems, Data Warehousing, Statistical Data Mining, Applied Mulitvariate Statistical Methods

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Program - MS in Information Management

40 hours of course work including three required courses; Though can be completed in one year, many students choose to take 1.5 to 2 years; Tuition - $37K

Why MS in IM at University of Illinois?

• Our goal is to give you a competitive edge in securing a rewarding position, make you an expert in helping organizations better manage and utilize information, and educate you to be a future leader.
• Our curriculum emphasizes a deep understanding of the interplay of people, information, and technology and reflects a professional commitment to advancing the well-being of society through the use of information.
• Our world-class faculty are leaders in the field who provide the knowledge and skills required for successful careers in the design and management of information systems.
• Our student services staff is strongly committed to supporting students in career guidance and job placement.
• Opportunity for working while studying: Previous students in our programs have secured positions with businesses in the University’s Research Park, including corporate partners such as State Farm, Caterpillar, and more. Such positions, including paid internships, provide excellent work experience and often lead to full-time job offers for after graduation.
• STEM designated program (International student can work up to 36 months in the US after graduating)
  

What is curriculum of MS in IM at University of Illinois? The MS/IM degree consists of 40 hours of coursework including following three required courses.

1. Information Modeling - include relational database design, conceptual modeling, markup systems, and ontologies; basic concepts – relations, entities, grammars, and logic; Implementations include relational database design, FR/EER/UML diagrams, XML markup languages, and RDF/OWL semantic web languages
2. Data Statistical Models and Information - An introduction to statistical and probabilistic models as they pertain to quantifying information, assessing information quality, and principled application of information to decision-making, with a focus on model selection and gauging model quality.
3. Scoiotechnical Information System - This course provides students with analytic tools for examining socio-technical settings and experience in applying that knowledge in IT modeling, design and management.

In addition, there are four career pathways, within which there are a range of suggested courses.

1. Data science and analytics - Objective is to manage, clean, and interpret data to make decisions, assess services, and ultimately operate an improved organization.
2. Privacy, trust, security, and ethics - Objective is to develop mechanisms and infrastructures that take into account best practices for consumer privacy and ethical industry standards in order to build and maintain secure systems.
3. Information architecture and design - Objective is to build interfaces and organize content that relay and transmit organization’s information effectively
4. Knowledge management and information consulting - Objective is to collect, organize, and interpret data on which major strategic decisions are based.
   

Northeastern University

Program - MS in Information System

Tuition - $48K; GRE required;

Why MS in IS at Northeastern University?

The program provides a basic foundation for our students and then seeks to push them to new heights to advance their information technology skills in a way that keeps up and, better yet, exceeds the necessarily fast pace of this progressive field.

In addition to the general requirements, the program offers multiple tracks (20 semester hours) and students can choose any one of these specialty tracks -

• Track 1: Web Engineering and Development
• Track 2: Data Architecture and Engineering
• Track 3: Application-Level Security Analysis and Engineering
• Track 4: Business Process Engineering
• Track 5: Software Project Planning and Management
• Track 6: Information Systems Auditing and Compliance
• Track 7: Enterprise Architecture and Governance
• Track 8: Engineering Clinical Information Systems
  

University of California Irvine

Program – MS in Informatics

Why MS in Informatics at UC Irvine?

According to the University -

• Excellence - You will be part of a world-class group of faculty and students who have an outstanding track record of delivering innovative, relevant education.
• Placement - We prepare our students for rich, fulfilling and diverse careers; whether you want to be a product designer, user-experience researcher or project manager, you can find a path through our program that prepares you to reach your career goals.
• Support - You join a team that strongly believes that working together is essential to learning. Whether in the classroom, in design or fieldwork, in your M.S. research, or simply as part of a hallway conversation, we encourage you to speak up, join the discussion and contribute.
  
• Connections - Our alumni have gone on to study in some of the most prestigious Ph.D. programs, work for well-known, innovative corporations, and found successful startups. We stay in touch with them, and can help connect you for internships that complement your studies.
• Diversity -. UCI was founded with a focus on diversity of thought, experiences, and ideas. Our department faculty represent a wide variety of disciplinary backgrounds and have in-depth collaborations across campus. Additionally, students are encouraged to take coursework outside of the school that pertains to their interests.

What is curriculum for MS in Informatics at UC Irvine?

The program is organized around a set of core courses that introduces the fundamentals of informatics, followed by a broader range of courses through which students can choose to focus their learning. Students can choose from three tracks, each with its own set of course requirements: interactive and collaborative technology; ubiquitous computing; and a general track.

The M.S. in Informatics incorporates four connected emphases -

1. An empirical focus that emphasizes understanding of technology design and use in practice.
2. A theoretical focus aimed at understanding contexts of information system use.
3. A technological focus aimed at new capabilities and infrastructures.
4. A design focus that includes integrative and holistic consideration of technical and human considerations.

Students must complete courses, including a research methods core, and research experience courses related to their final thesis.

Core courses - Social Analysis of Computing, Research in Human-Centered Computing, Seminar in Informatics (twice, usually in the first year), Research Methodology for Informatics, Qualitative Research Methods in Information Systems, Quantitative Research Methods in Information Systems.

Students also select 6 graduate level electives - The selection of courses should form a coherent educational plan to be approved by the student’s faculty advisor.

Drexel University

Program: MS in Information System

Why MS in IS at Drexel University?

• Drexel’s Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students with both the domain knowledge and practical competencies to compete in the ever-changing technical landscape of information system business requirements, software design and management, data-oriented informatics and user experience design.
• The MSIS program is ideal for those who would like to specialize in software and systems development, data analytics and knowledge management, and/or human-centered computing.
• Courses integrate the business, organizational and technical aspects of information systems for a complete understanding of the integration of organizations, data science, systems engineering and human-computer interaction
• Specialized courses focus on information and data analysis techniques to meet firms’ business intelligence needs; on the user experience in human-computer interaction to guide the design of interactive systems; and the creation and management of databases, interfaces and information systems that connect users with the information they seek.
• Graduates hold positions such as Computer Specialist, Principal Planner for Data Management, User Experience Designer, Manager of MIS Systems, Information Systems Manager and Senior Systems Analyst

What is Curriculum for MS in IS at Drexel University?

Here are the core courses - Software Development, Perspectives on Information Systems, Web Systems & Architecture, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Systems Analysis and Design, Requirements Engineering and Management, Software Project Management, Information Systems Management, and Introduction to Database Management.

Here are elective courses - Advanced Database Management, Design of Interactive Systems, Content Representation, Information Retrieval Systems, Evaluation of Information Systems, Software Engineering Economics, Information Visualization, Data Mining, Introduction to Data Analytics, Information Assurance, Software Reliability and Testing, Software Engineering Process.

Indiana University Bloomington

Program - MS in Information Science

Why MS in Information Science at Indiana University Bloomington?

According to the university -

"Students who graduate from our accredited M.I.S. program come away with a better understanding of the intersections between information, technologies, and people. Our students understand how these components come together in information collection, use and knowledge creation, both within and beyond organizations. They understand the social, cultural, and organizational components that impact people’s uses of information and technology.

Our program prepares students for a future designing, developing, and managing information technologies, and the resulting flows of data and information.

The M.I.S. program is accredited by the American Library Association, and in 2017, U.S. News & World Report ranked our graduate programs in information and library science ninth nationally."

What is curriculum of MS in Information Science at Indiana University Bloomington?

Foundation requirements: Intro to Information Science, Database Design, Information Architecture, Human Computer Interaction, Organizational Informatics, System Analysis and Design, Web Programming

Electives: Database Design, Information System Design, Information Architecture, Information Analytics, Information Seeking and Use, Information Architecture of Web, Online Searching, Computer Mediated Communication, System Analysis and Design, User Interface Design for Information System, Data Semantics, Content Analysis for Web, Social and Organisational Informatics of Big Data, and many more.

More Schools

• University of North Carolina Chappel Hill – MS Information Science
• Pennsylvania State University – MS Information Science and Technology
• Rutgers School of Communication and Information – MS Information
• Syracuse University – MS Information Management