As technology continues to advance – with no signs of slowing down – an increasing number of apps, software, and hardware will stay present in both our personal and professional lives. Business information systems are integral to organizations large and small and help run everyday operations as well as develop the long-term plans of the company.
If you have an interest in tech, consider exploring business information systems jobs, which include research and intelligence, project management, and IT. In this guide, you will gain an understanding of what the degree entails, find answers to questions such as What can I do with a BA in business information systems?, and see examples of jobs you can pursue after graduation.
Overview: BA in Business Information Systems
Earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Information Systems is an enriching experience that can lead to an exciting career. You can expect to develop your critical and analytical thinking, along with other essential skills to help you succeed. On top of that, author Joy Cromwelle explains in Is Information Systems a Good Major? [2023 Guide]: “Technology know-how is needed in nearly every industry these days, so having a degree in information systems can help set you up for success in a variety of fields and positions.”
Cromwelle elaborates that with a BA in business information systems, you can gain some of these in-demand skills companies need — such as how to store, organize, understand, and protect data. You can also help foster communication between organizational departments and keep teams informed on operating systems.
What Can You Do with a BA in Business Information Systems?
With the unique combination of business and technology expertise you’ll gain from your BA in business information systems, you’ll be prepared to take on a variety of roles and responsibilities. Indeed suggests a variety of roles you would be prepared for after completing your degree, all of which focus on employing information technologies, understanding operational objectives, and optimizing business processes. Take a look below at some business information systems jobs that might be right for you.
What Are Some BA in Business Information Systems Degree Jobs?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Handbook and the Labor Department’s career exploration site, O*Net Online, both outline a variety of jobs that require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree for those interested in information systems. Let’s take a more in-depth look at 9 careers you can choose to pursue.
- Application development director
As O*Net explains, application development directors oversee, manage, and organize activities related to electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
What Does an Application Development Director Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of an application development director include:
- Department operations management: Directing daily operations of your department, including analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards, and setting deadlines
- Stakeholder collaboration: Meeting with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems
- Team supervision: Assigning and reviewing the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers
- Resource development and security: Developing computer information resources, ensuring data security and control, strategic computing, and disaster recovery
What Education Do I Need to Become an Application Development Director?
According to O*Net, nearly half (48 percent) of application development directors have a bachelor’s degree.
What Job Titles Are Similar to Application Development Director?
The role of application development director falls under the job category of Computer and Information Systems Managers, according to O*Net. The category also includes commonly found job titles such as:
- Computing services director
- Data processing manager
- Information Systems director (IS Director)
- Information Systems manager (IS manager)
- Information Technology director (IT director)
- Information Technology Manager (IT manager)
- MIS director (Management Information Systems director)
- Business Intelligence Analyst
Business intelligence analysts generate financial and market insights by querying data repositories and producing regular reports, O*Net reports.
What Does a Business Intelligence Analyst Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of a business intelligence analyst include:
- Generating standard or custom reports: Producing comprehensive reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for executive and managerial review, facilitating informed decision-making
- Synthesizing business intelligence data: Analyzing and synthesizing current business intelligence or trend data to provide actionable insights and recommendations for strategic initiatives
- Maintaining knowledge assets and tools: Curating and maintaining a library of model documents, templates, and reusable knowledge assets to streamline processes and enhance efficiency
- Developing business intelligence systems: Designing and creating business intelligence tools and systems, including databases and spreadsheets, to effectively manage and analyze data, ensuring accurate and insightful outputs
What Education Do I Need to Become a Business Intelligence Analyst?
The vast majority – 76 percent – of business intelligence analysts need a bachelor’s degree in order to do the job, according to O*Net; and 14 percent need a master’s degree.
- Computer and information research scientist
Computer and information research scientists conduct research in fundamental computer and information science, serving as theorists, designers, or inventors.
What Does a Computer and Information Research Scientist Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of a computer and information research scientist include:
- Problem analysis and solution development: Analyze problems to develop solutions involving computer hardware and software, apply theoretical expertise and innovation to create or apply new technology
- Task management and scheduling: Assign or schedule tasks to meet work priorities and goals, direct daily operations of departments, coordinate project activities with other departments, and participate in staffing decisions and direct training of subordinates
- Stakeholder communication and coordination: Meet with managers, vendors, and others to solicit cooperation and resolve problems, consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to determine computing needs and system requirements
- Project evaluation and feasibility assessment: Evaluate project plans and proposals to assess feasibility issues, develop performance standards, and evaluate work in light of established standards, and approve, prepare, monitor, and adjust operational budgets
What Education Do I Need to Become a Computer and Information Research Scientist?
According to O*Net, college is a necessity for those seeking to become a computer and information research scientist, as the role requires either a bachelor, master’s, or doctoral degree.
- Project management specialist
A unique blend of technology and project management, project management specialists keep teams accountable for projects and are the backbone of task completion and productivity. If you like a to-do list, add this title to your list of potential careers.
Checking boxes and organizing work are central to this role. Project management specialists are skilled at using various types of software, says O*Net Online, and typical duties include:
What Does a Project Management Specialist Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of a project management specialist include:
- Assigning responsibilities: Assigning duties or responsibilities to project personnel; recruiting or hiring project personnel
- Communication and coordination: Communicating with key stakeholders to determine project requirements and objectives; planning, scheduling, or coordinating project activities to meet deadlines; scheduling or facilitating project meetings
- Monitoring and reporting: Monitor project milestones and deliverables. Monitor costs incurred by project staff to identify budget issues. Report project status, such as budget, resources, technical issues, or customer satisfaction, to managers.
- Planning and documentation: Developing or updating project plans including information such as objectives, technologies, schedules, funding, and staffing. Producing and distributing project documents. Preparing and submitting budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
What Education Do I Need to Become a Project Management Specialist?
According to O*Net, most project management specialist jobs require a bachelor’s degree.
- Information technology project manager
Data and communication networks are the backbone of organizations, and information technology project managers are the owners. In this role, you can expect to design and build these types of networks for use within organizations.
What Does an Information Technology Project Manager Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of an information technology project manager include:
- Project execution and monitoring: Manage project execution to ensure adherence to budget, schedule, and scope, monitor or track project milestones and deliverables, and prepare project status reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends
- Stakeholder communication and coordination: Assess current or future customer needs and priorities by communicating directly with customers, conducting surveys, or other methods, establish and execute a project communication plan
- Team management and coordination: Lead project personnel, monitor the performance of project team members, provide and document performance feedback, and coordinate recruitment or selection of project personnel
- Risk and resource management: Perform risk assessments to develop response strategies, identify need for initial or supplemental project resources, and manage annual budgets for information technology projects.
What Education Do I Need to Become an Information Technology Project Manager?
The majority of information technology project managers have a bachelor’s degree or post-baccalaureate certification, according to O*Net.
- Computer programmer
You might consider becoming a computer programmer if you enjoy writing, modifying, and testing code and scripts to help software and apps run smoothly. You can work directly for a software company or inside a larger organization that needs someone to coordinate the proper functions of its technology integrations.
What Does a Computer Programmer Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of a computer programmer include:
- Program development and maintenance: Write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs using workflow charts and diagrams; correct errors by making appropriate changes; and rechecking the program to ensure desired results
- Consultation and collaboration: Consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes; collaborate with computer manufacturers and other users to develop new programming methods.
- Systems analysis and user support: Perform systems analysis and programming tasks to maintain and control the use of computer systems software, consult with and assist computer operators or system analysts to define and resolve problems
- Documentation and instruction: Compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent revisions, inserting comments in the coded instructions so others can understand the program, and write or contribute to instructions or manuals to guide end users
What Education Do I Need to Become a Computer Programmer?
College is critical for prospective computer programmers. O*Net reports that 88 percent of new hires needed a bachelor’s degree to perform the job.
- Database architect
Responsible for creating and maintaining databases, organizations rely on data processing managers and database architects to keep systems firing. Tons of data move in, out, and through companies on a regular basis, and while database architects design and implement systems for organizing the information, database administrators maintain the complex systems.
What Does a Database Architect Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of a database architect include:
- Database architecture development: Design and construct large relational databases or data warehouses; optimize data models, integrate new systems, and refine performance to ensure uninterrupted operations
- Collaboration and consultation: Collaborate closely with stakeholders, providing technical support, training, and consultation; align with organizational goals, coordinate with vendors, and stay updated on industry trends
- Systems analysis and user support: Conduct systems analysis, programming tasks, and testing to optimize database performance; coordinate development within project teams and provide technical support to ensure smooth operations
- Documentation and instruction: Document database architectures, schemas, and processes; contribute to user manuals and instructions, facilitating effective communication and maintenance
What Education Do I Need to Become a Database Architect?
According to O*Net, 76 percent of database architects have a bachelor’s degree, and 14 percent have a master’s degree.
- Computer systems analyst
By understanding users’ software trends and needs, O*Net Online describes this role as one that analyzes science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns.
What Does a Computer Systems Analyst Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of a computer systems analyst include:
- Troubleshooting and maintenance: Responsible for identifying and resolving program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning; provide prompt assistance to staff and users in solving computer-related problems; conduct testing, maintenance, and monitoring of computer programs and systems, coordinating the installation of necessary components
- System analysis and design: Analyze information processing or computation needs within the organization; plan and design computer systems using techniques such as structured analysis, data modeling, and information engineering; specify inputs accessed by the system, plan the distribution and use of the results, and expand or modify systems to serve new purposes or improve workflow
- Collaboration and consultation: Work closely with management to ensure agreement on system principles and consult with clients regarding information processing or computation needs; interview or survey workers, observe job performance, or perform job tasks to determine processing requirements; collaborate with stakeholders to enhance system compatibility and facilitate information sharing within the organization.
What Education Do I Need to Become a Computer Systems Analyst?
According to O*Net, a bachelor’s degree is required for some computer systems analyst jobs. Employees usually need “one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers,” the agency reports.
- Logistics analyst
Logistics analysts, based on O*Net Online, oversee invoicing, electronic billing, and tracking shipments.
What Does a Logistics Analyst Do?
Day-to-day responsibilities of a logistics analyst include:
- Database maintenance: Maintaining databases of logistics information and ensuring accuracy and integrity of data entry; entering logistics-related data into databases and maintaining logistics records in accordance with corporate policies
- Monitoring and tracking: Remotely monitoring the flow of vehicles or inventory using web-based logistics information systems; tracking product flow from origin to final delivery and monitoring inventory transactions at warehouse facilities to assess receiving, storage, shipping, or inventory integrity.
- Analysis and interpretation: Interpreting data on logistics elements such as availability, reliability, supply chain management, or transportation; applying analytic methods or tools to understand, predict, or control logistics operations or processes; analyzing logistics data using methods such as data mining, data modeling, or cost-benefit analysis
- Reporting and performance measurement: Preparing reports on logistics performance measures and compute reporting metrics such as on-time delivery rates, order fulfillment rates, or inventory turns; identifying opportunities for inventory reductions and recommend improvements to existing or planned logistics processes
What Education Do I Need to Become a Logistics Analyst?
The majority of logistics analysts – 64 percent – have a bachelor’s degree, according to O*Net.
What Skills Does One Gain with a BA in Business Information Systems?
Once you graduate with a BA in business information systems, you can expect to have a variety of skills you can use as you pursue a career in the field. Imed Bouchrika, PhD points out several critical skills you will earn from your degree in information systems, ones that you will need to be successful in an information systems career:
- Computer science and programming
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Communication Coding languages
- Software development
- Cybersecurity
Review: What Can I Do with a BA in Information Systems?
With plenty of business information systems jobs to choose from, a degree in this field can set you up for success. Companies big and small have a need for diverse roles to prioritize technology and business goals. If leading the charge of networks, systems, data, and communication interests you, consider pursuing a BA in business information systems.
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Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Business Information Systems degree by itself does not provide licensure or certification in any state, regardless of concentration or specialization. Students seeking licensure or certification in a particular profession shall carefully research the licensure and certification requirements in a student’s home state prior to enrollment in this degree program, as often such requirements vary by state.