Overview of Information Systems Careers
Information Systems (IS) professionals help organizations use technology and data to operate more efficiently and make better decisions. They work at the intersection of business and technology, helping companies implement systems, analyze information, and improve digital processes.
In practice, IS professionals answer questions like:
- How can we use data to improve decision-making?
- Which technology solutions best support business processes?
- How do we protect systems and data from cyber threats?
Information systems career outcomes
Common Entry-Level Roles
Job titles vary widely across organizations. Many entry-level roles fall into analyst, consultant, or technology-focused positions. Examples include:
- Technology Consultant
- Business Analyst
- Cyber Risk Consultant
- Data Analyst
- IT Analyst
- Product Analyst
- Software Implementation Specialist
- UX Designer
Many graduates begin in analyst, consultant, or technology-focused roles that support system implementation, data analysis, or business process improvement.
Common Industries for Information Systems Careers
- Consulting
- Technology
- Finance and insurance
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Government
Typical Responsibilities in Information Systems Roles
- Analyzing business processes and identifying technology solutions
- Managing or implementing software and information systems
- Analyzing data to support business decisions
- Supporting cybersecurity and technology risk management
- Developing dashboards, reports, and data visualizations
Employers Hiring Information Systems Graduates
IS graduates work across consulting firms, technology companies, financial services organizations, and corporate IT departments. Many participate in internships, rotational programs, or early-career analyst programs.
Employers who have hired Gies information systems students include:
- Deloitte
- Accenture
- PwC
- EY
- KPMG
- IBM
- Epic Systems
- West Monroe
- Synchrony Financial
- John Deere
- Microsoft
- Amazon
- Salesforce
Many of the organizations listed above also recruit Gies students for internships and early career programs.
Common information systems career paths
Information Systems careers span technical, analytical, and consulting-focused roles. While many roles require similar analytical skills, the day-to-day work varies depending on focus area.
Professionals in this area manage the technology systems that support business operations and decision-making.
Typical roles:
- IT Analyst
- Business Systems Analyst
- Information Systems Manager (later career)
Technology consultants help organizations evaluate technology needs and implement solutions that improve performance.
Typical roles:
- Technology Consultant
- Technology Analyst
- IT Consultant
Business consultants and analysts evaluate business processes and recommend technology-enabled improvements that support strategic goals.
Typical roles:
- Business Analyst
- Consulting Analyst
- Business Consultant
These professionals identify risks in information systems and help organizations protect data and technology infrastructure.
Typical roles:
- Technology Risk Consultant
- Cyber Risk Consultant
- IT Assurance Consultant
Professionals in this area analyze data to generate insights that help organizations make better decisions.
Typical roles:
- Data Analyst
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Marketing Data Analyst
- Data Specialist
These roles focus on designing digital products and systems that provide effective and user-friendly experiences.
Typical roles:
- UX Designer
- Product Manager
- Product Analyst
Solutions engineers work with customers and technical teams to demonstrate how software or technology products solve business challenges.
Typical roles:
- Solutions Engineer
- Software Implementation Specialist
Information systems recruiting timeline
Many IS and technology roles recruit early, so students should start preparing as early as sophomore year depending on industry focus.
Internship recruiting
- Consulting: Fall (August – October)
- Technology: Fall – Early Spring
- Business / IT & Analytics: Fall – Spring
Full-time recruiting
- Consulting: Early Fall
- Technology: Fall – Winter
- Business / IT & Analytics: Fall – Spring
In-demand information systems skills
Employers hiring information systems graduates look for a combination of technical and professional skills. These skills align closely with the Gies Competencies developed through coursework and experiential learning.
Technical Skills
- Microsoft Excel
- Data analysis
- Tableau or Power BI
- SQL
- Python or R
- Basic programming languages (C++, HTML, CSS)
- Database and systems knowledge
Professional Skills
- Communication and PowerPoint/presentation skills
- Analytical thinking and problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Project management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
Information systems job search strategies
Students pursuing information systems careers benefit from building technical skills, gaining hands-on experience, and developing a strategic job search plan early.
- Start preparing early for consulting, analytics, and technology recruiting timelines.
- Join student organizations, technology clubs, or project teams to gain practical experience and build professional skills.
- Build a portfolio of projects, dashboards, or technical work to showcase your abilities (especially for analytics, UX, or product roles).
- Conduct informational interviews with alumni or professionals in roles that interest you to learn about day-to-day work and career paths.
- Research target companies and follow them on Handshake and LinkedIn to stay updated on internships and full-time openings.
- Schedule a career advising appointment to review your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job search strategy.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight technical, analytical, and project experience relevant to the role.
- Use targeted keywords when searching on job platforms like Handshake (e.g., “Technology Consultant,” “Business Analyst,” “Data Analyst,” “UX Designer”).
- Attend employer information sessions, networking events, and career fairs.
- Practice explaining technical concepts and project experiences clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Interview preparation for information systems roles
Information systems interviews typically include a combination of behavioral questions, role-specific questions, and technical assessments.
Example Behavioral Interview Questions
Employers often use behavioral questions to evaluate how you approach challenges, teamwork, and problem solving.
- Tell me about a time you solved a difficult problem.
- Describe a time you worked with a challenging team member.
- Tell me about a project you led.
- Describe a time you used data to make a decision.
- Tell me about a time you had to persuade someone.
- Describe a time you handled multiple priorities.
- Tell me about a failure and what you learned.
- Describe a time you worked under pressure.
- Tell me about a time you improved a process.
- Describe a situation where you demonstrated leadership.
- Describe a time you learned a new technology quickly.
Example Role-Specific Interview Questions
Information systems interviews often assess your ability to analyze data, understand technology systems, and apply technology solutions to business problems.
- Tell me how you organize, plan, and prioritize your work.
- Describe a time when you analyzed information to choose the best solution to a problem.
- Explain a time you automated a process or improved a system using technology.
- Provide an example of a project that demonstrates your programming or technical abilities.
- Describe an experience where you applied a new technology or tool.
- How do you approach working with large datasets or complex information?
- Tell me about a time you had to communicate technical information to a non-technical audience.
- Describe a time when your attention to detail impacted a project.
Example Technical Interview Questions
Some information systems roles include technical interviews that assess data, systems, and analytical skills.
- What is the difference between SQL and NoSQL databases?
- How would you structure a database to store customer transaction data?
- Explain the difference between data visualization and data analysis.
- How would you approach cleaning and preparing a dataset for analysis?
- What is the purpose of a dashboard in business intelligence tools like Tableau or Power BI?
- Explain the role of systems analysis in implementing new technology solutions.
- Describe your experience with version control or collaborative coding tools (Git, GitHub).
Tip: Be prepared to discuss technical projects, coursework, or internships where you applied data analysis, programming, or systems concepts.
Additional resources
Students interested in information systems careers can explore these resources to learn more about industry trends, in-demand skills, and career paths in areas like business analytics, technology management, and user experience.
Association for Information Sciences
Explore industry trends and professional development opportunities.
Society of Information Management
Network with IS professionals and learn about leadership in technology.
Next steps for exploring information systems careers
Information Systems careers offer a wide range of opportunities at the intersection of business, technology, and data. Because IS roles span consulting, analytics, cybersecurity, UX, and product development, students benefit from exploring multiple paths and preparing early for varied recruiting timelines.
The Gies Office of Career and Professional Development can help you:
- Explore information systems career paths and focus areas
- Identify technical and professional skills to prioritize
- Prepare resumes, portfolios, and interview stories
- Practice behavioral, technical, and role-specific interviews
- Build a targeted internship and fulltime job search strategy