WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH AN MSIS DEGREE?
Explore career paths, roles, and skills connected to the Master of Science in Information Systems.
A master’s degree in information systems can lead to many different career paths. That flexibility is one of the greatest strengths of the MSIS degree.
Some students want to work with business teams to improve processes and implement systems. Others want to manage technology projects, design infrastructure, build applications, work with data, or help organizations adopt AI.
This guide is designed to help you explore those options. It organizes MSIS career opportunities into five pathways based on the kind of work you may want to do.
You do not need to know your exact job title today. Start by asking a simpler question:
WHAT TYPE OF WORK DO YOU WANT TO DO EVERY DAY?
5 POSSIBLE MSIS
1 THE TRANSLATOR
You help organizations use technology to solve business problems.
You may be a strong fit if you:
• Enjoy working with both business and technical teams
• Like understanding problems and translating them into solutions
• Want to improve systems, workflows, and decision-making
• Communicate well with different types of stakeholders
Common roles:
Business Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, Associate Consultant, Solutions Consultant, Financial Analyst, Operations Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst, ERP Analyst, AI Implementation Specialist
Skills to build:
Systems analysis, requirements gathering, SQL, dashboarding, business process mapping, stakeholder communication, AI literacy
2 THE TECH LEADER
You manage technology projects, products, and teams.
You may be a strong fit if you:
• Like organizing people, timelines, and priorities
• Want to lead technical projects without necessarily coding every day
• Enjoy product strategy, user needs, and cross-functional collaboration
• Like project management, product management, or program leadership
Common roles:
IT Project Manager, Project Coordinator, Program Manager, Technical Program Coordinator, Product Manager, Associate Product Manager, Product Analyst, AI Product Manager
Skills to build:
Agile, Scrum, project planning, product roadmapping, stakeholder management, data-driven decision-making, leadership communication
3 THE ARCHITECT
You design the systems, and environments organizations
You may be a strong
• Enjoy systems thinking
• Want to understand environments are
• Are interested in cloud, databases, or infrastructure
• Like designing scalable, reliable systems
Common roles:
IT Systems Administrator, Administrator, Cloud Engineer, Infrastructure Analyst, Analyst, Information Security Database Administrator,
Skills to build:
Cloud computing, networking, database design, cybersecurity fundamentals, infrastructure, systems architecture
PATHWAYS
ARCHITECT
systems, infrastructure, organizations run on.
strong fit if you: thinking understand how technology built and connected cloud, networking, infrastructure scalable, secure, and Administrator, Systems Engineer, Cloud Analyst, Cybersecurity Security Analyst, Administrator, Network Engineer networking, SQL, cybersecurity infrastructure, automation,
4 THE BUILDER
You build applications, systems, data pipelines, and technical solutions.
You
may be
a strong fit if you:
• Want a hands-on technical role
• Enjoy coding, building, testing, and solving technical problems
• Want to create applications or data systems
• Are interested in software engineering, data engineering, or AI/ML development
Common roles:
Software Engineer, Software Developer, Full Stack Software Engineer, Web Developer, Data Engineer, ETL Developer, QA Engineer, Enterprise Application Engineer, AI/ML Engineer
Skills to build:
Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git, APIs, software development, data engineering, cloud deployment, AI/ML foundations
5 THE AI STRATEGIST
You help organizations understand, implement, and govern AI.
You may be a strong fit if you:
• Like AI but do not necessarily want to build models full time
• Want to help organizations evaluate AI tools and use cases
• Care about responsible AI, governance, and business impact
• Like working between technical teams, business leaders, and end users
Common roles:
AI Business Analyst, AI Implementation Specialist, AI Solutions Analyst, AI Governance Analyst, AI Ethics Analyst, AI Product Manager, AI Program Manager, AI Solutions Consultant, AI Prompt Engineer
Skills to build:
AI literacy, prompt design, data literacy, AI governance, business case development, vendor evaluation, change management, technical communication
• Business Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Product Manager
How to Use This Guide
ENTRY-LEVEL ROLE EXAMPLES
MSIS graduates may pursue roles such as:
• Project Coordinator
• Cloud Engineer
• Database Administrator
• Software Engineer
Use this guide as a starting point. You do not need to choose a pathway permanently. Many information systems careers blend multiple pathways.
• A product manager may need business analysis skills.
• A systems analyst may work heavily with data.
• An AI strategist may need project management, governance, and technical communication.
• A software developer may become a technology leader over time.
• The goal is not to limit your options. The goal is to help you focus your next step.
YOUR
CAREER
• Data Engineer
• AI Implementation Specialist
• AI Product Manager
Suggested Next Step
Choose one or two pathways that sound most like the kind of work you want to do. Then, search for related job titles on LinkedIn, Handshake, or another job platform. As you review postings, pay attention to:
• Repeated job titles
• Required technical skills
• Preferred certifications
• Common tools and platforms
• Years of experience requested
• How employers describe the work
The language in job postings can help you understand what to prioritize as you build your resume, choose electives, prepare for interviews, and talk with recruiters.
PATH DOES NOT HAVE TO BE LINEAR
Graduate business careers are rarely one straight line. Your first role may help you discover what you want next. The most important step is to understand the kinds of work available, identify the skills employers value, and begin building toward the direction that fits your goals.
The David Eccles School of Business provides career resources, employer connections, experiential learning opportunities, and academic preparation to help students move from interest to opportunity. Enrolled students and alumni have access to U Career Success to help navigate career pathways, explore job options, and prepare for every step of their career journey.
Ready to explore your next step?
Connect with our admissions team to learn more about the program, application requirements, and how this degree can support your career goals.