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Information systems manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected information systems manager job growth rate is 16% from 2018-2028.
About 82,400 new jobs for information systems managers are projected over the next decade.
Information systems manager salaries have increased 11% for information systems managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 164,098 information systems managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 151,862 active information systems manager job openings in the US.
The average information systems manager salary is $137,275.
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 164,098 | 0.05% |
| 2020 | 156,907 | 0.05% |
| 2019 | 144,706 | 0.04% |
| 2018 | 127,833 | 0.04% |
| 2017 | 119,912 | 0.04% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $137,275 | $66.00 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $132,925 | $63.91 | +2.7% |
| 2023 | $129,447 | $62.23 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $126,440 | $60.79 | +2.5% |
| 2021 | $123,334 | $59.30 | +3.2% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 493 | 71% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 210 | 34% |
| 3 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 339 | 32% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 233 | 31% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 398 | 30% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 219 | 30% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 2,092 | 28% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 269 | 28% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 245 | 28% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 157 | 27% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,427 | 26% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,091 | 26% |
| 13 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 264 | 25% |
| 14 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,677 | 24% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 469 | 24% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 789 | 22% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 467 | 22% |
| 18 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,713 | 21% |
| 19 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,148 | 21% |
| 20 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,500 | 21% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rolling Meadows | 1 | 4% | $121,851 |
| 2 | Helena | 1 | 3% | $86,711 |
| 3 | Alpharetta | 1 | 2% | $109,387 |
| 4 | Attleboro | 1 | 2% | $134,641 |
| 5 | Reston | 1 | 2% | $133,456 |
| 6 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $131,257 |
| 7 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $120,160 |
| 8 | Dallas | 1 | 0% | $111,282 |
| 9 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $119,236 |
| 10 | Portland | 1 | 0% | $113,084 |
| 11 | San Antonio | 1 | 0% | $121,347 |
Belmont University
Mount St Mary's University
Harding University
Northwood University
Tuskegee University

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
University of South Florida

Quinnipiac University
Brigham Young University - Idaho

Albertus Magnus College
DePaul University

Pace University

University of Florida

University of Florida

Indiana University
University of Missouri

University of Illinois at Chicago
Dr. Tisha Brown-Gaines: Over the next five years, the expanding landscape of Big Data facilitated via Information Systems will continue to play a major role in the structure of how Smart Systems are created and maintained. As a result, having skills that will allow for effectively accessing, modifying, analyzing, storing and securing data is key. The integration of these skills are strengths that will support fields under the umbrella of computer science and data science that expand into machine learning, natural language processing and the Internet of Things (IoT) concepts.
Dr. Tisha Brown-Gaines: Colleges and universities try very hard to prepare students for life after graduation. Most students have the required skill sets for their field of study. However, the journey after attaining a degree still can be tricky. Selecting the right field for you is paramount. Information Systems (IS) is a great major. The interdisciplinary aspect of Information Systems (IS) allows graduates to select from numerous opportunities in the field. However, this can be quite overwhelming when students have options to apply to countless jobs. My advice would be to reflect on several assignments, projects or internship experiences during your undergraduate career that captured your interest, made you smile while completing the assignment or even one which began as a random goal and became personal. Start by identifying tasks that made you inquire more about a topic outside of the minimum requirements or a task that was challenging but helped to improve a skill set. Reflecting on these experiences will allow you to effectively navigate what areas to consider and what jobs to apply to in a sea of endless opportunities. Additionally, having the ability to reflect on past accomplishments can motivate and challenge graduates to achieve additional goals as they continue building their careers.
Dr. Tisha Brown-Gaines: Employers will seek candidates that have knowledge on topics such as database systems, networking, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Leveraging the skills acquired from your degree and extending those by acquiring external certifications in these fields will help distinguish you from other candidates. There are many online programs which offer certifications in AWS, Network+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and SAP that are innovative and provide real-world case studies to prepare students to have successful careers.
Sagar Raina D.Sc.: The transition from the academic world to the industry is a significant milestone and may be overwhelming for the beginners. The first and foremost advice I would give is to be “patient”, be “positive” and be “open to learning”. The field of Information Systems consists of the three important components – people, processes, and technology. The graduates beginning their careers should be able to understand and learn about the “people” working in the organization, the “processes” of the organization and the “technology” used by the organization. To accomplish this, work hard, be open to ask questions to the senior colleagues and keep yourself informed about the new trends in Information Systems sector.
Sagar Raina D.Sc.: One of the recommendations would be to get an entry-level industry certification within the Information Systems field. For example, if you are interested in networking, you can go for CompTIA Network+, similarly, if you are interested in cybersecurity, you can go for CompTIA Security+. In addition to your college degree, industry certifications are well recognized by the organizations which can maximize your salary potential when starting a career in Information Systems.
Sagar Raina D.Sc.: Apart from the traditional knowledge expected in the field such coding, computer networking, database design and development, systems analyses, web technologies and development, data analytics; the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the knowledge about cybersecurity will be considered as the important and prevalent skills sought among the new graduates in the field.
Kevin Jetton: Now referred to simply as Information Systems or Enterprise Systems, they are the mission-critical applications that run the enterprise and used to provide information, processes, data and outcomes to all parties such as internal employees, customers and partners/suppliers. Example such systems are all the Financial Applications (Accounts Payable/Receivable, General Ledger, Payroll, Human Resources, Fixed Assets, Budgeting and more), Supply Chain Management, Customer Relationship Management, Manufacturing, Enterprise Resource Management, Order/Service Fulfillment and more. What do individuals do on a daily basis? Depends on the individual's role in the overall process: Unit Managers/Users: Part of a project team to analyze/design/test/train/implement new or modified systems for their unit. IT Professionals: Project Management, Systems Analysts, Enterprise Architects to design solutions, Database and Security experts, Application Developers/Programmers, Testing and Training Teams, Data conversion specialists, Scheduling and Implementation teams.
Kevin Jetton: The need for IT skilled employees has never faded despite the right-sizing of many organizations IT staffing components post-pandemic when there was a hiring surge to enhance systems and processes to accommodate more online-only services and offerings. The key is to have a diverse skill-set or base so as to see the bigger picture and able to not only communicate to business users and executives, but to solve problems for the enterprise and deliver them.
Kevin Jetton: The phrase itself has been retired basically and broadened to include ALL information systems - focusing on the mission-critical applications and processes to deliver results to all the parties both inside and outside the organization. Originally, Management Information Systems (MIS) focused ONLY on the Financial/Accounting/Payroll/Manufacturing aspects and was the label for them and the department of IT staffers 1970's-1990's eras. By the year 1995-2000 with the looming Y2K issue, the mission-critical nature of these applications enterprise-wide rose to the forefront of everyone's mind when the realization that the systems may not function properly 1/1/2000 and beyond basically introduced the phrase Enterprise Systems to the world that serve the enterprise internally and externally. Like: The excitement of being involved in such key applications/systems serving the entire organization. Working side-by-side by all units/levels of fellow staff members and partner organizations to identify and solve pain-points within the organization and more that could be solved/automated/enhanced through technology. Helping deliver applications and tools that serve your organization's customers, fellow-employees and partners. Dislike: Long projects that could span months-to-years. Underestimated project schedules that rush through the phases but deliver short-changed results. Pressure to meet deadlines and expectations. Constantly changing/evolving technology and services. Outsourcing to non-employees outside the organization perhaps globally. Being on-call 24x7 to handle and resolve system outages and downtime/failures.
Dr. Joe Faith: Skills involving how to properly use AI and AI-enabled tools will be big. We've already seen huge changes since November of 2022. I only think the life cycle for these products will continue to get shorter. It's not AI that you need to worry about displacing you from your job. It's a smart human that knows how to use AI. I think that, for IS professionals specifically, you need to focus not only on hard skills, but soft skills as well. Many individuals can either communicate well or program well but not many can do both. There is a niche there that needs to be filled.
Dr. Joe Faith: One of the major things is either having more education or certifications to help with inflating your initial salary. Besides that, I would say that the industry and location you move to will have a large hand to play in terms of the salary you get. You always need to balance the cost of living though, if you're focusing more on location as your proxy. The types of jobs you can get in IS are so varied that it can make a huge difference in terms of earning potential right off the bat. For example, if you were to go into software development, data analytics, project management, or cybersecurity after getting your IS degree (which we've had many students do), then you would definitely be earning more than if you took an entry level support technician role (think help desk) for a company. I always try to talk with my advisees about this subject, so that they can decide what path is best for them. Sometimes, students aim lower than they necessarily have to, and that can hurt their initial salary.
Dr. Joe Faith: I think the best general advice would be to not be scared to take a risk on yourself. There are a lot of jobs out there that people are oftentimes afraid to apply for. This can be for several factors but one of the main ones I hear is that they don't feel like they are qualified enough. I can't tell you how many times I've had students that got a job they were slightly underqualified for because they were smart, had drive, and were a great culture fit for the firm in question. Along with that, I would say that certifications can help land your first gig. After a while, in many cases, experience will be more important. But, a cert can be just the thing to get you 'over the top' and land that first job after college.
Jasser Jasser: Creativity is paramount, whether you're part of an established company, a nonprofit, or kickstarting your venture. Challenge conventional thinking and utilize cutting-edge AI tools to stay ahead. Genuine creativity stems from a deep understanding of the latest trends and technologies. Remain vigilant for new breakthroughs, immerse yourself in tech-centric literature, and constantly ponder how these advancements can elevate your career and amplify your creative output. Additionally, cultivate a robust professional network and seek mentorship. Industry connections can offer priceless advice, open pathways to career opportunities, and provide insights that facilitate career growth and salary enhancement.
Jasser Jasser: As AI becomes increasingly central to Information Systems, mastering the integration of effective, ethical, explainable, and secure AI into your work is indispensable. Alongside these technical skills, prioritize the development of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. In the technical realm of Information Systems, the ability to collaborate effectively and articulate complex ideas clearly is what often separates the most accomplished professionals.
Jasser Jasser: In an era where intelligent chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini can perform a myriad of tasks, it's essential to infuse authenticity into your work. Whether crafting a new user experience or devising strategies against cyber threats, ensure your ideas are genuinely yours. Yet, this doesn't mean you should overlook the capabilities of these AI tools. Leverage them to refine and enhance your concepts. Equally critical is adaptability in our fast-evolving field. Embrace new roles, technologies, and methodologies with an open mind, as this flexibility can unlock doors to unexpected and fulfilling career opportunities.
Jason Nichols PhD: The business environment is very dynamic right now, especially with regards to technology, and specifically with regards to AI. The advice remains the same through this however - stay curious, and always be learning. AI requires infrastructure, and lots of it. It also requires data. Lots of that as well. Businesses won’t be successful with AI unless they are able to efficiently and dynamically expand, configure, and adjust their infrastructure in support of its implementation. They also won’t be successful unless they have a solid plan for data storage, management and security. They need your help with this, and your training has prepared you to provide this type of support. This is an exciting time to be an Information Systems Professional. You are helping to shape the future of work, and the role of technology within the modern business enterprise. We are all counting on you, your company is counting on you, and you are up for this challenge and the emergent opportunities it brings.
Jason Nichols PhD: Businesses need people to manage and secure their infrastructure, they need people that deeply and richly understand the mechanics of the systems that support them in their work, and they need people equipped to identify how to leverage these systems in transformative ways in order to create meaningful and sustainable value. All of this is underpinned by a rich understanding of the business, how it operates, and how its strategic objectives are intrinsically tied to the technology upon which it runs. Sharpen your skills in cloud computing and AI-relevant cloud services and platforms, in machine learning and AI, and in systems analysis and design. Explore design patterns relevant to the architecture of business technology systems and solutions. Become an expert at orchestrating technology and infrastructure to suit a given business need, objective, or strategy. These skills are timeless.
Jason Nichols PhD: Build your experience base through internships and industry projects, and brag about these experiences when you interview. Collect professional certificates to compliment your degree. Security and cloud computing are excellent areas to pursue these in right now. AI and machine learning as well, of course. Build a structured skillset in problem solving and critical thinking, and demonstrate this skillset in your discussions with future employers. Map all of these efforts into a coherent story about yourself in your applications, and how they have shaped you to be a tech-savvy business problem solver, with a strong understanding of both the business and the technology. This foundation prepares you for so very many roles in our field, and businesses recognize and actively seek out this profile in their job candidates. Use the resources available to you. If you need additional time for more formal training, join a masters program. Join us for a masters program, actually. Our AI in Business masters program is launching this Fall, and is open for enrollment currently. Visit us here to learn more: https://wpcarey.asu.edu/masters-programs/ai-business
Northwood University
Computer And Information Sciences
Professor David Sanford: Workers like that they are challenged to solve problems and lead technological innovations.
They appreciate the diversity of projects
They enjoy the need for continuous improvement and education
Many see the global impact of their work.
They also desire and appreciate the need for versatile skills
A competitive salary is also an item that employees like
Workers dislike that the work can be stressful
Dealing with tight deadlines and/ or cybersecurity concerns.
This is a positive and a negative: The need to constantly stay up to date with technology can be a bit overwhelming for some.
There may be times of isolation, and
The unexpected system failures can be frustrating as they often require extra hours or the need to be on-call.
The multiple responsibilities and managing repetitive tasks are also issues workers point out in this field.
In short, the workplace offers exciting opportunities but comes with its fair share of pressures and challenges. Different people have different experiences based on their roles and personal preferences.
Professor David Sanford: Going into information systems engineering is a smart choice for many reasons. The profession is in high demand worldwide, offering job security and competitive wages. Professionals in this field have versatile skills, allowing them to work with sophisticated technology and adapt to changing business needs. Continued technological advancement creates opportunities for innovation and problem-solving. Career paths cater to individual interests, including knowledge in areas such as cybersecurity and data analytics. In addition, the possibility of working remotely enhances the flexibility of work, making it attractive to those seeking a dynamic and stimulating career
Tuskegee University
Computer/Information Technology Administration And Management
Dalya Fadlalla: People who work as A_AN JOB_TITLE may enjoy their work because they know what is expected from them, as it is clear on JOB_TITLE. It also, helps them be unstressed due to the clear responsibility. They can have a great opportunity to learn new skills, which has a significant impact on their organization.
Some people may find the work is more stressful, challenging, and need long hours
As a Computer Information Systems graduate entering the job market, they can explore what people like and dislike about being a Computer Information Systems professional.
Many people like working in this field, as Technology advances very fast there is always something new to learn and discover. Others may think it is hard to keep up with new technologies.
Many people appreciate that their work has a significant impact on the world. For example, if they are developing new software.
Therefore, this will depend on the person, and how he sees working in this field. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of the field, you can make you can decide if this is the right path for you.

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Department of Information Systems
Travis Stouffer: -Agile Project Management
-Scrum
-Product Roadmapping
-Product Backlog Management
-Requirement Elicitation Techniques
Travis Stouffer: -Conflict Resolution
-Attention to Detail
-Active Listening
Travis Stouffer: -Human-Centered Design
-UI/UX Design
-Rapid Prototyping (Wireframes, Mockups)
-User Story Writing
-PM Tools (Azure DevOps, Jira)
-Data Management: SQL, ERD's, Normalization
Travis Stouffer: -Agile Project Management
-Human-Centered Design
-Data Analytics
University of South Florida
School of Information Systems and Management
Ehsan Sheybani Ph.D.: Analytical and problem-solving skills, Strong technical skills, The ability to work well under pressure, attention to detail, teamwork skills, organization and time management, interpersonal and communication skills, management and leadership skills.
Ehsan Sheybani Ph.D.: Leadership, motivation, communication, conflict management, trust-building, decision-making, organization, and time management.
Ehsan Sheybani Ph.D.: Negotiation, relevant technical skills, prioritization and goal setting, project planning, delegating, and budget management.
Ehsan Sheybani Ph.D.: Software development, technical sales leadership, mobile app development, business analysis, digital marketing, affiliate marketing, analytical reasoning, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and blockchain.

Quinnipiac University
School of Business
Guido Lang Ph.D.: - Systems analysis and design
- Business/process/data modeling
- IT project management
- Change management
Guido Lang Ph.D.: - Analytical skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Creativity
Guido Lang Ph.D.: - Python
- SQL
- Excel
Guido Lang Ph.D.: - Cloud computing
- Scrum
- DevOps`
Brigham Young University - Idaho
Department of Computer Information Technology
Michael McLaughlin: The ability to solve unstructured problems.
Michael McLaughlin: The ability to work well with people.
Michael McLaughlin: Solid understanding of the technology stack (from desktops to cloud), including at least one programming language at certification level and object-oriented design skills that include exclusivity, patterns, and data design both in relational and document databases.
Michael McLaughlin: Rock-solid programming skills; and presently four languages that appear to drive the highest salaries: Object-C/Swift (macOS, iOS), Ruby, Python, JavaScript (with React.js and Node.js skills). However, this changes from source to source.

Albertus Magnus College
Business Administration and Management Department
David Garaventa: The skills/attributes required across a variety of jobs in the IT fields.
David Garaventa: Communication and collaboration skills are critical. Particularly now that many employees are working remotely, it has become more difficult - yet more important than ever - to have IT teams that work effectively together, even when they are not in the same room together. But this is not unique to the IT realm. Whether via remote meetings or through effective written communications, it is no longer enough to simply have "technical skills." Technical skills can be taught to employees more easily than developing employee's soft skills, so when an employee approaches their job with a strong set of communication skills and strong analytic reading and writing abilities, they can often make themselves stand out to employers. The employers will recognize that they have the attributes to be an asset to the team and can then invest in helping them develop any technical areas where they may be lacking.
This is not to say that technical skills don't matter, because they do, especially in the IT field. But suppose an employee brings a strong set of soft skills to an IT team (e.g., collaboration, communication, critical thinking, etc.). In that case, they probably also can learn more technical skills as part of their job function. I once had a colleague say to me that when she is hiring, she has found that technical skill is all over the place...but it's the soft skills that are harder to find. Lastly, having the ability - and a desire - to be continually learning is essential. Technology is not static, and businesses are not static, so thinking critically in different settings across various technology platforms is very important. The tools your department uses today may not be the tools they are using tomorrow, so being fluid, adaptable, and constantly learning is the name of the game.
Delvin Grant: The ability to problem solve, which requires an understanding of the problem and a structured approach towards the solution. The ability to apply concepts learned in one discipline to another. Quite often, students are unable to see how a concept translates from one domain to another, and this stifles innovation.
Delvin Grant: It is not about the geographic area but more about the skills they possess. Many MIS/IT-related jobs could be done remotely, if you wanted to pin down areas that will include areas of the USA where technology is heavily used (NY, IL, CA, MA, Huntsville AL, Parts of the Midwest, and the south, with vibrant health care and manufacturing industries. Any where industries require a healthy dose of technology are good locations.
Delvin Grant: It is always difficult to predict the future impact of tech. However, one area that will increase is the ability to analyze and interpret data. Then use the info to impact strategic and operational decision making. COVID-19 will change how people work. It will not be business as usual, and this requires the ability to work remotely. Therefore, those who master the use of remote technology, and find ways to use it innovatively, will outperform others. This is true for companies and individuals.

Pace University
Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems
Dr. Pauline Mosley: There are several big trends; however, in my opinion, the biggest trend we are seeing is an increase in the usage of mobile apps, cloud computing and smart technologies. The pandemic has cultivated a huge demand for these applications. The problematic effects of the pandemic such as the inability to conduct business and interact socially, has heighten the need for these technologies - hence transitioning them from emerging technologies to part of our everyday living.
Dr. Pauline Mosley: All graduates should possess strong communication skills, a willingness to take risks, think critically and innovatively. Lastly, they need to be flexible and willing to learn.
Dr. Pauline Mosley: In my opinion a typical day for a recent graduate may entail working various hours throughout the day. In the past work days were considered from 9 to 5; however, with the pandemic and global economy, graduates should expect to work in segments through-out the day or when critical work needs to be completed. So, they should expect to work a few hours in the morning, a few in the afternoon, and possibly a few more late into the evening to accommodate the clientele that may be working in another time zone or part of the world. The concept of "the office" will be redefined by their employer. "The office" could be their homes, or a combination of home and a physical space, or it could be virtual. They should expect to work with people from various cultures and in some cases they may even interact with smart technologies, robotics, or other forms of new technologies. Their work day will be very exciting because they will have a myriad of technological options and the flexibility to decide how they work (whether remote or in-person) to complete various tasks.

University of Florida
Computer & Information Science & Engineering Department
Peter Dobbins Ph.D.: I have heard points toward the "working remotely" model. As Computer Scientists, this is something we have known and in certain cases actually have been doing for a number of years. Industry shifts adapting to COVID have brought the fields surrounding CS into the remote work model... and are finding it works! As one of the first fields to embrace the model (a simple transition given how natural the fit), CS majors will only continue to find remote work opportunities.
Peter Dobbins Ph.D.: Skills would be the things allowing a student/employee to display their ability to work remotely: initiative, teamwork, independence, self-starter, some of the same things we have always seen were positive attributes.

Sanethia Thomas Ph.D.: As we are in a competitve market and moreso now due to the pandemic, it is valuable for students to show work experience and how it relates to the job they are applying for. It is a plus if they can show work experience in a remote environment. Students should be able to show that they are capable in working in a team environment and the roles they filled on the team; team lead, technical lead, front end, back end, project manager ect. Students should also have a portoflio of thier work, projects ect.
I often hear employers seek out students who have expereince working in the community or doing some type of social good. Highlighting community/social good works speaks to human side of the applicant, which most employers value.
Sanethia Thomas Ph.D.: San Fransico Bay remains on top with Seattle, New York, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh closley following.
Sanethia Thomas Ph.D.: When the pandemic first hit, I had students very concerned about their summer plans of having an internship, but as things worked itself out, and a lot of students maintained their internship by working remotely. In response to the declining job market, I have seen students redirect their efforts in the direction of graduate school. Many have expereinced difficulties finding job opportunities and "landing" the interview. Therefore more students are considering graduate school as we ride the wave of the pandemic.

Bipin Prabhakar: Technology will become a strategic enabler for most businesses. There will be increasing demand for graduates who can help create this technology (Computer Science/Data Science) and for graduates who can leverage technology (information Systems) to create business value.
Bipin Prabhakar: Skills by themselves on resumes do not provide enough information for the reviewer to assess a candidate. The resume has to showcase the actual capabilities rather than just listing skills. What can you actually do with the listed skill? With that said, deep skills in software development, data science and AI or the broad set of skills required to enable digital transformation will be in demand. Digital transformation requires skills in business analysis, business process and process design, technologies such as next generation ERP systems, AI and ML, cloud architectures and platforms and business analytics.
Bipin Prabhakar: There are three major sectors that hire technology graduates - the tech companies that tend to be in tech hubs and major cities, major corporations that are all over the country and consulting organizations that tend to have offices in the bigger cities with access to local clients or well-connected airports. Major employers tend to recruit nationally from the top programs across the country. The best time to find work is before graduation and the best place to find work is the campus recruitment process.
Dale Musser Ph.D.: -Working on teams and collaboration - people skills matter a lot.
-Past accomplishments in delivering results while working with others
-Technical skills in target areas for job. The hottest areas right now: machine learning, large scale apps, and autonomous systems.
Dale Musser Ph.D.: -Yes, everywhere. IT, CS, and CE are in demand in every corner of the U.S. The hot spots are the tech centers, such as the Bay Area, Seattle, Austin, and Atlanta.
-I tell my students to mostly ignore the job sites and to look at the employment and careers pages on company websites. The best jobs never make it to job sites.
Dale Musser Ph.D.: -Work at home for now. "You will have an office at the company after the pandemic."
-Transition of companies to new locations. I see some companies leaving the Bay Area for other locations. Reducing space in San Francisco by a number of companies shows that after the pandemic many employees won't be returning to the physical locations they used to work.
-Increased focus on automation and autonomous systems given the proximity issues.

Matthew Liotine Ph.D.: Currently, much of the hiring is skewed toward online fulfillment roles, which is of no surprise given the pandemic. This includes roles in procurement, which is undergoing a transformation due to COVID. This also means working within the physical environments and operations required to support this activity. Several of our students received offers from Amazon as a result of their hiring push.
Matthew Liotine Ph.D.: If a student decides to take time off before moving on to a job or graduate school, they should use that time to develop skills in which you may not receive formal training while in college. For example, skills like leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication are going to be more vital than ever in the new norm.
Matthew Liotine Ph.D.: Most employers tell me that soft skills are equally, if not more important, than technical skills or domain knowledge. This translates into external/internal customer-facing skills, such as communication, team collaboration, writing, presentation, problem-solving, and being resourceful. (Many graduates overlook writing as a vital skill, but they fail to realize that in the course of their jobs, they will likely be required to write lots of memos and tons of emails.) The need to perfect these skills within the confines of a virtual world has become even more challenging and amplified with COVID. I teach in the information systems discipline, and when you view student resumes, many people look the same on paper. The soft skills will make a candidate stand out head and shoulders above the rest. That's why the candidate should pay attention to the screening interviews that they will undergo during the hiring process since employers will use these interviews to vet these skills.