Information Science Careers
We live in a time when every industry requires access to information. From hospitals to cultural institutions, a degree in information science can lead to many different types of career paths.
CIS students take courses that explore modern computer systems from an engineering and programming perspective as well as a more humanistic angle. They may also complete internships or other beyond-the-classroom experience to round out their skillset.
Industry
Information systems (IS) is about using technology to meet the needs of individuals and organizations. It’s about creating and managing IT systems to support organizational operations, as well as analyzing and understanding the impacts of these technologies so they can be deployed ethically. IS professionals work in every industry, from healthcare and education to manufacturing and professional services.
The IS job market has grown 15% faster than the average career and offers many opportunities to advance. Bachelor’s degree graduates can become IT managers by implementing and overseeing computer hardware, software, databases and other IT applications. Or, they can pursue a doctorate and conduct research at macro and meso levels in their field of choice to bring new innovations to the world. Research topics include social science theory, document and genre analysis, webometrics, user experience design and more. Several universities offer doctoral programs that can be completed in 4-6 years.
Education
Generally, a bachelor’s degree in information systems or library science is required to land most entry-level jobs. For those seeking leadership positions in their field, a master’s or doctorate in information systems is needed. These programs are available online and in brick-and-mortar colleges and universities. Students can expect to take advanced courses like multivariate analysis and experimental design as well as learn how to conduct research at the individual, team, macro and meso levels.
A master’s in information system can lead to a career in the field of library and information science, which provides services that make information accessible to people, communities, businesses and organizations. Library and information science professionals design and develop knowledge-organization systems that help audiences from children to CEOs find the resources they need. They may also work in fields like healthcare or finance and provide customer support for software and technology. In this role, they use their analytical and communication skills to help clients understand complex technical topics.
Healthcare
Since the Pandemic, healthcare providers have accelerated their investments in technology and digital solutions. This trend is expected to continue as many health organizations are seeking to make data-driven decisions, streamline operations and improve patient outcomes.
Our program gives you the skills to take on these challenges in a wide range of sectors. Our graduates work for non-profits, large public companies and prestigious cultural institutions—wherever there is a need to understand people, technology and information.
Our interdisciplinary approach blends elements of computer science with archival science, cognitive science, law, library and information sciences, management and organization theory, philosophy, physics and sociology. It seeks to understand the complex interplay between these fields, while maintaining a clear focus on the creation and dissemination of knowledge. This holistic approach helps you develop critical thinking and to imagine what our world will be like as technology continues to evolve.
Government
Government employers are looking for employees with specific qualifications and skills. The federal government, in particular, offers a wide range of opportunities, from public health analysts to census takers. It also has plenty of “government-adjacent” jobs, those that work with the government but aren’t part of the organization itself.
Information science is an academic field primarily concerned with the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, storage, retrieval, movement and dissemination of information. It is interdisciplinary in nature, incorporating aspects of other fields such as computer science, archival sciences, bibliographical studies, lexicography, law, library science, museology, management and philosophy.
Unlike some other disciplines that focus on pure ideas independent of data, information science deals with the whole system rather than individual pieces. While information science depends on data and facts, it also requires the ability to look beyond the aggregation at what they mean in a constantly changing world. This is a challenge that goes to the heart of what information science really is.