Finding a good minor for a Management Information Systems degree can be a challenge, especially since the major itself can be pretty rigorous and demanding throughout all four years of undergraduate study. The good news is that there are plenty of complementary minors available to MIS students that will actually raise their profile as they begin looking for jobs and give them some unique opportunities that might allow them to use their information systems knowledge in new ways.
Foreign Language
A foreign language minor is a really great way to improve long-term job marketability in a climate that is increasingly competitive and increasingly global. Today’s management information systems graduates may well get a job in the United States, but that job may require them to speak both English and Spanish, or to speak at least one other language semi-fluently in order to be considered as a final candidate. Other jobs might demand travel or they might be located overseas, where a viable second language is a necessity to communicate with local business professionals and others.
Management
Many people who initially begin their careers in management information systems end up working for a larger corporation. In addition to providing the fast-paced work environment of a large organization, these jobs give MIS graduates the opportunity to move into supervisory and managerial roles where they oversee teams of other systems technicians and information systems developers. Having a background in management, generally through the courses provided within a minor course of study, can help qualify someone for a promotion early on.
Mathematics
Computers and mathematics have long been intertwined, from programming to systems deployment and beyond. Today’s management information systems professionals will find that a strong background in math actually helps them comprehend material in their computer-related courses on campus, and provides sufficient context for real-world decisions after they land their first position in the information technology field later on.
Engineering
Engineering minors are a rare breed, but they’re still worth considering. After all, some of the fastest-growing occupations in the world rely on the skills taught in leading engineering majors at big universities. In addition to the edge for jobseekers, having some kind of engineering background makes it easier to develop new systems and respond to ongoing changes and developments in the world of high-tech server hardware, systems deployment, and troubleshooting.
Computer Science
The well-rounded professional who goes into management information systems is the one who has the best chance of succeeding, and computer science will certainly help. Where management information systems is concerned with complex business systems and security, computer science focuses on the fundamentals of computer use, application programming, and working with certain target audiences. This minor could also help those with an MIS degree change careers later in life or add a bit of resilience during times of economic contraction.
Related Resource: Become a Systems Developer
There are Plenty of Great Minors for MIS Students
Management information systems is a major that can easily get students a job right after graduation, but adding a good minor will add marketability and give a student’s resume the added push it needs in front of skeptical hiring managers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A good minor for a management information systems degree should therefore add a bit of practical knowledge and experience that will enrich the tenets of MIS itself over the long-term.
Follow